The City of Oakland Park anticipates securing $9,393,476 in grant funding for major capital improvement projects to protect against flooding and sea-level rise. Funding will come from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Protecting Together initiative announced by the governor Tuesday. Oakland Park is expected to receive funding for three of the ten projects proposed in Broward County for major stormwater projects and a new fire station.
Protecting Together is a statewide Flooding Resilience Plan that proposes 76 projects totaling over $270 million throughout Florida. The three-year plan is intended to protect coastal and inland communities against vulnerabilities to flooding and help them become more resilient.
Funding for Oakland Park projects includes $1,893,476 for a Stormwater Drainage Project to improve drainage along NE 13 Avenue; $2,500,000 towards the construction of Fire Station 9; and $5,000,000 for a Stormwater Drainage Project to build a new pump station and increase the capacity of the drainage system along NE 6 Avenue that serves the central area of the city.
The City of Oakland Park applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for project funding earlier this year. Grant applications were encouraged to propose projects that address risks from flooding and sea-level rise and protect community assets against these hazards in the future.
“We are very grateful for this unprecedented achievement and for the extraordinary efforts of our visionary leadership team,” said Mayor Michael E. Carn. “Thank you to the Protecting Together Initiative for selecting and funding these three vital projects in Oakland Park. Your endowment of these projects will move us closer to meeting the sustainability and resiliency goals within our Climate Action Plan – ultimately preserving and improving the long-term quality of life for the residents of our beloved city,” Carn continued.
The state plan was submitted to the legislature for approval. Once funding is secured, the city would move into various phases of design and permitting for the grant projects.
The City of Oakland Park is taking steps to adapt to changing conditions and become more resilient to the effects of climate change and sea-level rise. From implementing capital improvements projects and updating its Stormwater Master Plan, to adopting a regional Climate Action Plan and participating in a national pilot program, Oakland Park is investing in solutions to create a more sustainable community. For more information on the measures the city is taking to create a stronger and more resilient community, visit www.oaklandparkfl.gov.