Port Charlotte Sun
September 18, 2025
DESOTO COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE
Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR)
2023 and 2024 Storms Infrastructure Repair Program (IRP)
In 2023 and 2024, multiple federally declared storms caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage across Florida. In response, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $925.4 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding to the State of Florida to support long-term recovery, resiliency, and hazard mitigation. The Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce), through its Office of Long-Term Resiliency (OLTR), is responsible for administering these funds.
The City of Arcadia in DeSoto County is applying for CDBG-DR funding through the 2023 and 2024 Storms Infrastructure Repair Program (IRP) to support three projects that address aging infrastructure and storm-related flooding concerns. These projects do not require a City match.
The City proposes to request funds for the following projects:
1. Arcadia Stormwater Infrastructure. The primary purpose of this project is to alleviate the flooding in the City of Arcadia. The city does not have a stormwater system in the downtown area. Flood problems include street flooding that makes roads impassable, ditches that overflow their banks, and structures that are flooded during significant rainfall events. Much of the flooding occurs in the Citys downtown area which has limited drainage infrastructure. Specifically, the project includes the widening of the main channel within Tributary E. The proposed channel will have a top width of 40 feet and side slopes of 1 horizontal to 1 vertical. The newly proposed channel width and increased side slopes provides additional storage during storm events which helps to better contain the flood volume within the channels. The project includes the widening of the pipes under U.S. 17 to two 5 X 10 box culverts and a 48 RCP Bypass trunkline from U.S. 17 to the Peace River. Estimated Cost $20,000,000. The City is requesting $15,000,000 in CDBG-DR funds.
2. Construction of Wastewater Treatment Plant. Since 2018 the WWTP has been under a Florida Department of Environmental Protection consent order due to a sanitary sewer overflow reporting exceedances for unionized ammonia and phosphorus. Funds are being sought to help construct a new plant that will meet the permit discharge requirements of the consent order and that will be of sufficient size to treat water even during a storm event. The estimated total project Cost is $60,000,000. The City is requesting $15,000,000 in CDBG-DR funds.
3. Mills Avenue Drainage Improvements. The City of Arcadia is requesting funding for the Mills Avenue Drainage Improvements Project, extending from East Dickhaut to State Road 70. This project will construct new stormwater infrastructure, including inlets, culverts, manholes, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and turf stabilization, along with roadway reconstruction and protective erosion control measures. The improvements will alleviate recurring flooding, protect residential and commercial properties, and strengthen Arcadias stormwater system to better withstand future severe weather events. Estimated Cost: $6,906,000. The City is requesting $6,906,000 in CDBG-DR funds.
The City of Arcadia does not anticipate that anyone will be displaced because of the CDBG-DR funded activities proposed above. If persons are displaced as a result of the planned activities, Arcadia will assist them as described in the Citys anti-displacement and relocation policy, which is available for review at the Arcadia City Council Administration Building.
For information related to Fair Housing, please visit: https://arcadia-fl.gov/
For information related to ADA/EEO please visit: https://arcadia-fl.gov/ webpage.
This public notice and comment period is being conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure accessibility to all. The applications are available for public review and or comment. There will be a 14- day public comment period. Comments must be made by September 28, 2025. Comments will be accepted online and in writing. Online comments can be emailed to: sbooth@arcadia-fl.gov, and written comments can be mailed to: CDBG-DR Attention: Sharla Booth at 23 N. Polk Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266-3953. For a copy of the application or any questions regarding the CDBG-DR program please contact Sharla Booth, Arcadia Grants Manager, at 863-494-4114.
Any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this public notification is asked to reach out to Sharla Booth, Arcadia Grants Manager, at 863-494-4114. If you are hearing, speech impaired, or need other accommodations, or any non-English speaking person wishing to receive information on this public notice can contact Sharla Booth, Arcadia Grants Manager, at 863-494-4114 orsbooth@arcadia-fl.gov and interpretation will be provided.
Complaints or Concerns
Complaints or any suspected fraud, waste, and abuse related to CDBG-DR-funded activities may be submitted via email tosbooth@arcadia-fl.gov or via mail to Sharla Booth, Arcadia Grant Manager, 23 N. Polk Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266. Written complaints from the public will receive a meaningful review and a written reply within fifteen (15) working days from receipt of the complaint.
A FAIR HOUSING/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/HANDICAP ACCESS JURISDICTION
Publish: 09/14/25, 09/15/25, 09/16/25, 09/17/25, 09/18/25
140421 3969925
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