Boca will not only raise the only municipal dock so it’s not underwater, even in king tides. A floating dock will also be added to Silver Palm Park on Palmetto Park Road and the Intracoastal.
Council approved adding $250,000 to an estimated $400,000 for the existing project. Silver Palm and Wildflower across the way are becoming one waterfront park with a connector under the bridge.
“I’m happy the seawall on the Wildflower side will be raised. But there’s still work to be done on the Silver Palm side,” said Councilwoman Monica Mayotte. She showed slides of ankle-deep water with enough room to raise the heights in three places to launch watercraft.
Staff was already on board. Construction only costs to raise existing docks were estimated at $150,000 and $100,000. Jennifer Bistyga, coastal program manager, said a floating dock would cost another $150,000. “Overall $400,000,” she told council.
It would cost another $15,000 to do geotechnical boring for the floating dock. Rough numbers estimated $70,000 for engineering and design, Bistyga said. “There’s no cost for mobilization since the contractor is already on site. We looked at ripping it up or placing the new decking on top,” she said.
“A floating dock becomes more important because we’re launching. If we’re going to do it, we should do it now,” said city manager Leif Ahnell.
“It’s a lot of money, but it had to be done,” agree Councilman Andy Thomson, citing climate change.
“The longer we wait, the more expensive it becomes,” Mayotte said before council’s consensus to proceed.
The change will be added to the construction company’s work order, Ahnell said.
By Marci Shatzman
