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Harshaw neighbors press city for stormwater maintenance as flooding increases
Summary
Residents from the Harshaw neighborhood told City Council that blockages and debris in interconnected retention ponds and drainage pipes have caused frequent street flooding; they asked the city to prioritize maintenance while larger capital projects proceed.
Two Harshaw neighborhood residents told City Council during open forum that long‑established pond and creek drainage systems are clogged with debris and construction detritus, causing streets to flood during heavy rain.
What they described: Residents Jen (Jan) French and Heidi Stiller said multiple sections of the drainage system between interconnected lakes are blocked, pointing to debris tied to a nearby Duke Energy development as one source. They said the problems have grown worse in recent storm events, increasing property and driveway flooding even during routine thunderstorms.
Requests to council: Residents asked that the city step up routine maintenance now — clearing pipes and removing fallen barriers — rather than relying solely on long‑term capital improvement projects. They also asked for clearer timelines on planned stormwater upgrades so households can make informed decisions about insurance and preparedness.
City context: St. Petersburg staff and council members said a Stormwater Master Plan is being developed and that the FY26 capital improvement plan includes some projects (Jorgensen Lake near the main library) that could affect connected ponds. Residents said they need both quicker maintenance responses and clearer schedules for larger projects.
Next steps: Administration has been asked to follow up with affected residents on maintenance requests and provide updated timelines for any projects that will mitigate flooding in the neighborhood.
