Bradenton Beach Advances Project Priorities for Disaster Relief Funding
BRADENTON BEACH — City commissioners held a work meeting on May 19 to solidify their project priorities as part of Manatee County’s $252.7 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The funding, allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aims to address damage and unmet needs caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton in 2024.
Manatee County was designated as a direct recipient of these federal funds earlier this year. The county’s distribution program, titled “Lasting Manatee,” will allocate funding to municipalities based on population. With 916 residents, Bradenton Beach will receive an estimated $530,069 — or 0.21% of the county’s total allocation.
Commissioners approved a prioritized list of projects to submit to the county. Leading the list is the undergrounding of electrical lines in areas of the city that have not yet been converted. Other proposed projects include:
Shoreline protection and resiliency work along Bay Drive
Installation of sand and sediment filter systems to prevent inlet blockages
Drainage improvements at 24th Street
Dam cleanouts across the city
Reconfiguration of Bridge Street piping for better stormwater flow
Erosion-related fixes at 12th Street North
While the proposed projects may exceed the city’s allocated funding, officials noted that additional grant opportunities may be available to close the gap. City leaders emphasized the importance of maximizing the impact of the funds by targeting both hurricane-related damage and recurring flooding issues from heavy summer storms.
Manatee County’s CDBG-DR program is currently in its “unmet needs” phase. The county commission is scheduled to approve a draft action plan on May 20, followed by a public comment period running from May 21 to June 20. The final action plan is expected to be submitted to HUD by June 20.
Bradenton Beach’s project list will be reviewed by county staff for inclusion in the larger countywide recovery strategy. Updates and additional information about the program can be found on the “Lasting Manatee” webpage.