Fort De Soto Park Repairs and Improvements

Project Overview

In Fall 2024, Fort De Soto Park suffered significant damage from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The damage included extensive flooding that damaged electrical and wastewater systems, boat docks, fishing piers, dune walkovers, seawalls, sidewalks, restrooms, park roadways and the Quartermaster Museum.

Note: This page consolidates multiple projects within Fort De Soto Park that are in various stages of completion.

Project Locations

Fort De Soto Boat Docks (PID#90018G1-A19)

The Fort De Soto Boat Docks are located on Madelaine Key in the park. The boat docks were damaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. Gangways, floating docks, railings and concrete abutments were heavily impacted. This project will install new floating docks and gangways in the existing footprints and repair damaged sections of concrete and railing.

Anticipated Schedule: Boat Docks

• Design Completion: Fall 2025
• Construction: Spring 2026 – Summer 2026

Fort De Soto Seawall and Sidewalks (PID#90018G1-A9)

This project will repair and replace the seawall and sidewalk located adjacent to the Gulf Pier as well as repair the washout at the north end of the seawall.

Anticipated Schedule: Seawall & Sidewalk

• Design Completion: Spring 2026
• Construction: Spring 2027

Fort De Soto Bay Pier (PID#90018G1-A10)

The pier was damaged by Hurricane Helene’s storm surge. This project will repair damaged sections of the concrete dock and landings, install replacement gangways/ramps, and replace damaged railings and service lines.

Anticipated Schedule: Bay Pier

• Design Completion: Fall 2025
• Construction: Spring 2026 – Summer 2026

Fort De Soto Quartermaster Museum (PID#90018G1-A12)

The museum consists of a single story, elevated frame structure. The museum was impacted by storm surge and wind during Hurricane Helene. This project will repair the ramp and roof of the building.

Anticipated Schedule: Quartermaster Museum

• Design Completion: Late 2025
• Construction: Summer 2026

Fort De Soto Dune Walkover and Boardwalk (PID#90018G1-A8)

The dune walkover and boardwalk located north of the Gulf Pier were damaged by storms. This project will repair the existing dune walkover by constructing a new walkover in the existing footprint using the existing pilings and repair damaged sections of the northern boardwalk. The waterward end of the south dune walkover will be lowered to the extent possible – while still maintaining Americans with Disabilities Act compliance – to better accommodate the post-hurricane beach elevations.

Anticipated Schedule: Dune Walkover & Boardwalk

• Design Completion: Fall 2025
• Construction: Fall 2025 – Late 2025

Fort De Soto North Beach Restrooms (PID# 90018G1-A13)

This project will repair the restrooms to pre-hurricane conditions, including screen walls and floors.

Anticipated Schedule: North Beach Restrooms

• Design Completion: Late 2025
• Construction: Summer 2026

Fort De Soto Campground Seawall (PID# 90018G1-A11)

This project will replace sections of the aluminum seawall behind the campsites to ensure the safety of campers and to prevent additional erosion. The new seawall will be placed in front of the failed wall.

Anticipated Schedule: Campground Seawall

• Design Completion: Spring 2026
• Construction: Summer 2026 – Winter 2026

Fort De Soto East Beach Loop (PID# 90018G1-A6)

The northeast end of Anderson Boulevard (Mullet Key) was impacted by Hurricane Helene. The storm damaged the roadway, removing roadway base and broke off portions of the travel lanes. This project will repair and reconstruct the traffic circle to pre-hurricane conditions.

Anticipated Schedule: East Beach Loop

• Design Completion: Late 2025
• Construction: Spring 2026 – Late 2026

Fort De Soto Shoreline Protection (PID# 006686A)

This project will improve the shoreline at two locations within the park where the seawall is failing; the Campground area and Bunces Pass Cove. In the two project areas, failing sections of the seawall will be reconstructed using resilient approaches that integrate natural practices where possible. These shoreline improvements are also expected to support healthier ecosystems, enhance water quality, and create new opportunities for recreation.

Anticipated Schedule: Shoreline Protection

• Design Completion: Late 2026
• Construction: Summer 2027 – Late 2027

Fort De Soto Main Road Paving (PID# 004988A)

This project will repave approximately 7 miles of roadways. Roadway repaving will extend from the south approach of the Bayway Bridge, along Pinellas Bayway South, and the length of Anderson Boulevard terminating at the east end of Anderson Boulevard.

Anticipated Schedule: Main Road Paving

• Design Completion: Late 2025
• Construction: Spring 2026 – Late 2026

Fort De Soto Trail Paving (PID# 004093D)

This project will repave approximately 6.6 miles of trail along Pinellas Bayway South and Anderson Boulevard at Fort De Soto Park. A connection to Anderson Boulevard near East Beach will be added at the northeastern terminus of the trail.

Anticipated Schedule: Trail Paving

• Design Completion: Late 2025
• Construction: Spring 2026 – Spring 2027

Fort De Soto Maintenance Area Paving (PID# 004093E)

This project will repave approximately 0.5 miles of roadway serving Fort De Soto Park’s maintenance area, one driveway, and approximately 3 acres of parking and work areas at the maintenance headquarters.

Anticipated Schedule: Maintenance Area Paving

• Design Completion: Fall 2026
• Construction: Spring 2027 – Winter 2027

Project Funding

Storm repair projects will be partially funded through FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency management. Eligible repair costs will be funded at a 75% federal cost share, 12.5% state cost share, and 12.5% County cost share on a reimbursement basis. The paving projects are supported by Penny for Pinellas. The shoreline protection project is supported by the Surface Water Utility Fund and the Penny for Pinellas.

Contact Us

Multiple project managers are working the projects within Fort De Soto. Please reach out to the relevant project manager with any questions.

Nedima Ablakovic [Projects: Campground Seawall, East Beach Loop, Paving)
Project Manager
Public Works/Capital Improvements
14 S. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-4224
nablakovic@pinellas.gov

Nancy Lamagna, PE, ENV-SP [Project: North Beach Restrooms]
Project Manager
Public Works/Capital Improvements
14 S. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-8918
nlamagna@pinellas.gov

Donald Melone, Jr. [Project: Dune Walkovers & Boardwalk]
Project Manager
Parks and Conservation Resources
12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774
(727) 582-2537
dmelone@pinellas.gov

Jorge Hernandez, PE [Projects: Boat Docks, Sewall & Sidewalk, Bay Pier, Quartermaster Museum]
Project Manager
Public Works/Capital Improvements
14 S. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-5209
jhernandez@pinellas.gov

Erin Struzzieri [Project: Shoreline Protection]
Project Manager
Public Works/Capital Improvements
14 S. Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3454
estruzzieri@pinellas.gov