Posts tagged San Marco Ave
Tropical Storm Debby kept city crews busy
Jul 6th
While Tropical Storm Debby may not have had the wind of many storms, it certainly had the rain, and it was that rain that kept city crews busy in locations where rainwater inundated the city’s sanitary sewer system. The heavy downpours, a total of 7.72 inches in less than three days, required around the clock attention during the height of the rainfall in response to overflows in several locations of the sewer system. The overflows occurred during the heaviest periods of rain on the weekend of June 23-24 and again through until Thursday, June 26.
The city maintains a rapid response team for just such incidents and during TS Debby, credit goes to that team for minimizing the impact. Crews with pumper trucks were dispatched to locations where overflows were anticipated, but the extraordinary amount of rain caused an in-flow into the sanitary sewer system overtaxing its capacity at six locations:
Oglethorpe Blvd. at Arredondo Ave.;
St. Augustine Blvd. at Inlet Dr.;
Pine St. between San Marco Ave. and Abbott St.;
Macaris St. at Douglas Ave.;
Cordova St. at St. Francis St.; and
the Wastewater Treatment Plant at the southern end of Riberia St.
Crews captured and removed nearly 1.4 million gallons of wastewater /rainwater from the sites preventing backups into homes or discharges into waterways.
Following strict protocols for such overflows, signs were posted at each location where surface water bodies have been affected to warn the public of the event, whether they happen to be boating or fishing. Additionally, water samples are taken at each location and if contamination is found, then the signs will remain in place until the water is safe in accordance with state criteria. Generally, depending upon the size and location of the spill, it could take up to a week for the levels return to normal.
At no time during TS Debby was the city’s drinking water in any danger as only surface water (i.e. runoff water, streams, etc.) came in contact with the waste water.
In a follow-up review of the city’s practices after the storm, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection compliance inspectors deemed the city’s actions appropriate and in compliance.
For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 904.825.1040.
Source: City of St. Augustine
Major transportation study budgeted for city
May 16th
Through the diligent work of a St. Augustine City Commissioner the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (NFTPO) budgeted $125,000 to conduct a much needed traffic circulation study in the city. The Special Planning Funding awarded by the North Florida Transportation
Planning Organization (NFTPO) came as a result of City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline identifying the opportunity to budget the funds and encouraging staff to actively pursue the grant.
Planning Organization (NFTPO) came as a result of City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline identifying the opportunity to budget the funds and encouraging staff to actively pursue the grant.
In budgeting funds, the NFTPO described the study’s purpose as a way to “develop an overall transportation plan, incorporating developments over the past 20 years as well as future potential developments such as pedestrian, bicycling, transit and rail improvement needs to be developed for all modes of transportation in and around the city.” The study is scheduled to be completed in June 2013.
“The city is very fortunate to have received this support and especially at this time,” said Sikes-Kline, who represents the City of St. Augustine on the NFTPO. “This will fund an independent consultant with a fresh set of eyes to look at transportation to and through our city, and then evaluate what we have and speculate on what we might have. It’s a great opportunity, and one we could not afford without the TPO’s assistance.”
The NFTPO pointed out that the millions of visitors who access downtown each year do so via three “constrained roadways,” being King St., San Marco Ave., and the Bridge of Lions adding “Getting visitors into and out of the downtown historic district is challenging.” The NFTPO further identifies the city’s anticipated increase in visitors because of the current multi-year 450th Commemoration, a point emphasized by Commissioner Sikes-Kline.
“The TPO recognized that the 450th Commemoration will impact all types of traffic that moves through our historic districts including motorized, non-motorized and pedestrian traffic. This study will identify what might be done to meet those unique needs,” said Sikes-Kline. “Success with this funding has two parts: because the city has a representative on the TPO, we were aware of the opportunity, and the request was filed because of the work of the city’s Planning and Building Department under Mark Knight’s direction.”
“This is a big deal,” said City Manager John Regan. “Securing funds for a study like this is the necessary first step towards any broad based, long-term changes that will improve traffic in St. Augustine. We should thank Commissioner Sikes-Kline and Planning and Building Director Mark Knight for their diligent pursuit of this support. The payoff for the entire community will be big.”
For more information on the work of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, visit www.northfloridatpo.com. For more information on this grant, call the Planning and Building Department at 904.825.1065.
Source: Paul Williamson, City of St. Augustine Department of Public Affairs
Hydrant flow testing set for area east of San Marco Ave.
Apr 21st
The St. Augustine Fire Department will be flow testing
hydrants in the area on the east side of San Marco Ave. between Castillo Dr. and May St. during the week of April 16. These areas will be tested starting at 1:00pm and lasting approximately 2.5 hours.
hydrants in the area on the east side of San Marco Ave. between Castillo Dr. and May St. during the week of April 16. These areas will be tested starting at 1:00pm and lasting approximately 2.5 hours.
As always, the department works diligently to alert businesses with heavy water usage, such as restaurants or hotels, of testing in their area. The department has expressed its appreciation for the cooperative spirit the community has shown during these important equipment tests in recent weeks. Please call the department with any questions or concerns at 904.825.1098.
