Congressman Darren Soto will present a ceremonial check in the amount of $959,752.00 to the City of Orlando for the East Orlando/Semoran Boulevard Flood Control Project. Congressman Soto secured this funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal Community Project Funding program. An official award contract will be brought to Council for consideration at a future Council meeting.

Project Name: East Orlando/Semoran Boulevard Flood Control

Proposed Recipient and Address: City of Orlando, Florida, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

Requested amount: $959,752.00

Summary: The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the project is a public improvement project. The stormwater infrastructures of the area along the corridor of Florida State Road 552 (Curry Ford Road) were developed in the 1980s and 1990s based on the applicable requirements at that time; however, the stormwater infrastructures need improvement due to the aging and undersized system. Due to the dated stormwater infrastructures, low-lying areas, and limitations of the topography, the existing infrastructures require improvement to meet the current design criteria to maintain their resiliency. The project will assess, design, and improve the existing infrastructures to the current standards. Based on the residents’ complaints, the improvement of stormwater infrastructures to the current standards would alleviate stormwater issues and the susceptibility of flooding on the roads and residential buildings in the area as a result of the outdated system, and it would result in a net benefit for the public health, safety, quality of life, environment, and economy of the communities. The project is a priority because several residents, including families with children, live in the area. There are four schools (i.e., Chickasaw Elementary School, Ventura Elementary School, Roberto Clemente Middle School, and Engelwood Elementary School) in the vicinity of this area; therefore, improvement of stormwater management would be tremendously beneficial to the students in the area.

Presenting the City of Orlando with $959,752.00 in Community Project Funding for East Orlando/Semoran Boulevard Flood Control by Congressman Darren Soto.