Lido Beach, Sarasota’s crown jewel for an affluent beach city, will undergo a $12 million renovation expected to begin construction at the end of this year.
Sarasota officials made clear in a statement that the centerpiece of city tourism will remain open throughout the project, but some sections will close temporarily. The money for the project will come from federal funds, the city said, with U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, of Sarasota, and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, both Republicans, pushing for the money.
“This multi-phase effort − spanning dredging, beach renourishment, and dune construction − addresses long-term erosion and strengthens the city’s resilience to sea-level rise, severe storm impacts, and future climate impacts,” a city statement said.
The beach was last renourished in 2021; it was closed for weeks after sweeping damage by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.
A 2024 report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection found that about half of Florida’s 825 miles of coastline is “critically eroded.”
“Nearly all of Lido Key has critically eroded beach that has threatened private development and recreational interests along 2.4 miles,” the report said.
“Due to the cumulative effects of multiple storms and hurricanes in recent years, Lido Beach has experienced accelerated shoreline loss and due to system degradation,” according to a city report.
Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert said the projects would fortify the beach against sea level rise and other climate change impacts.
“The renourishment of Lido Beach will not only improve the area for residents and visitors but also increase the resiliency of our coastal community,” Alpert said.
City officials also said they will coordinate with Mote Marine Laboratory and the Sarasota Audubon Society to mitigate the impacts on wildlife.
Lido repair timelines extend to 2027
The first construction phase will be the dredging of New Pass, expected to begin in late 2025 with completion by spring of 2026. The DEP report found that the northern area of Lido Key fronting on New Pass is critically eroded.
“This phase will produce approximately 200,000 to 300,000 cubic yards of sand, which will be placed along Lido Beach to increase shoreline width and stability,” according to a city planning document.
The beach renourishment phase is expected to go along the same timeline, but a hard schedule depends on the contractor.
The third project will build a vegetated dune system extending south from the Lido Beach Pavilion. The plants will mostly be Sea Oats and Bitter Panicum, both of which the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends be used to stabilize coastlines. That process is projected to be finished in early 2027.
The City Commission approved the necessary agreements to get the ball rolling on the project at a May meeting.
Christian Casale covers local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Email him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sections of Lido Beach to close temporarily amid $12 million renourishment project
Reporting by Christian Casale, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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