One Project Down and One to Go

Drivers negotiating the San Marco Road- Heathwood Drive intersection may be relieved that one of these intersection projects will soon be completed. The two projects involve rebuilding Fire Station 50 Headquarters and the Stormwater Mitigation and Rebuild Project at the same intersection.

During the last two weeks, Marco residents have seen Quality Enterprises tying up loose ends on the reconstruction of the San Marco-Heathwood intersection. Evidence of the project’s importance was demonstrated during tropical storm events and the landfall of Hurricane Irma, when the intersection suffered serious stormwater flooding.

The project consisted of the total reconstruction of the San Marco-Heathwood intersection. Work included storm water improvements, roadway elevation change, installation of sidewalks, gutters, ADA handicap ramps, new crosswalk lining on both sides of the intersection, and the complete asphalt resurfacing, according to Assistant City Manager Casey Lucius. Lucius kept the community updated throughout the process, which also resulted in some unanticipated utility relocation. The project is ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, across the intersection, the Marco Island Fire Department Station 50 rebuild is proceeding as planned. The two-story structure will house the Fire Department Headquarters and the city’s Emergency Operations Center. It will be used as a command center in the event of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane. 

To be eligible for FEMA grant funds (which the city had received for replacement of the 30-year-old structure), the city was required to bring the new structure into compliance with current FEMA Flood Elevation Standards. The older structure sat below flood elevation. 

The new building will provide emergency responders with a Category 5-rated facility to safely house necessary personnel during a storm event. As part of the project, the city will invest in an onsite fuel storage facility. This recommended in the After-Action Report made by the committee that reviewed Marco Island’s response to storm events (such as Irma, Wilma, and Andrew) impacting the island.

Department personnel and equipment are presently housed in the Annex Building (located next to Police Headquarters) and Station 51 on East Elkcam Circle. Administrative staff are located in the Annex Building.

Manhattan Construction, the contractor for the Veterans Community Park project, is also the contractor for this project.