Council accepts $2.2 million state grant to revitalize Bay Bluffs Park Preserve, authorizes budget amendment

The City Council on Sept. 11 approved acceptance of a $2,200,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (grant agreement L2403) for the Bay Bluffs Park revitalization project. The grant is a joint award to the city and Conservation Florida, Inc. and is intended to conserve and improve Bay Bluffs Park Preserve as an outdoor recreational site.

Council also adopted a supplemental budget resolution (2025‑47) to appropriate the grant funds and authorized the mayor to execute the grant agreement and record a public site dedication as a grant condition. City staff said community engagement sessions will be scheduled to solicit input about priorities and design options for the park.

Why it matters: The award funds park conservation and public access improvements at a bluffs property that has been closed for safety reasons and is a prominent coastal green space. The grant requires the city to dedicate the site for public outdoor recreation prior to project completion.

Votes: The grant acceptance and the associated budget amendment were adopted unanimously (recorded vote shown as 7–0). Staff said outreach and design work will begin and a consultant may be sought to support project planning.

Ending: The council’s acceptance lets the city move into design and community engagement phases; specific construction scope and schedule will follow planning and consultant recommendations.