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Ormond Beach approves engineering designs for Fortunato and Riviera piers, seeks FIND grant to cover half of design costs
Summary
The commission accepted engineering proposals for Fortunato and Riviera pier replacements and authorized work authorizations; staff said construction-ready designs are expected by March and the city will pursue FIND grants that typically cover 50% of design costs. Resolutions 2025-180 and 2025-181 passed 4–1.
The Ormond Beach City Commission voted to accept engineering proposals for replacement designs at Fortunato Park Pier and Riviera Park Pier and authorized execution of related work orders.
City Engineer Alex Shuren told the commission the Fortunato Pier—originally constructed in 1997—was found to be “deteriorated and beyond repair” after inspections following Hurricane Milton and that an inspection determined damage greater than 50 percent, which triggers current-code compliance for a replacement. “We anticipate having construction-ready plans by March,” Shuren said, adding the design timing aligns with applications for a FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) grant that typically covers half of design costs.
Assistant City Manager/engineer Sean Finley emphasized state licensing requirements for permits: “We would need plans that are signed and sealed by a registered professional engineer in the state of Florida,” he said, noting the city does not have on‑staff structural engineers for specialized design work.
Commissioners discussed timeline and funding. For both piers staff said design estimates are similar given permitting and drawing requirements; the FIND grant process usually runs from March application to awards in October. The commission approved the Fortunato Park Pier proposal (Resolution 2025‑180) and the Riviera Park Pier proposal (Resolution 2025‑181) by 4–1 votes, with Commissioner Sargent recording the lone dissent on each.
The engineering proposals authorized design contracts and work authorizations; staff said the next steps are completing design documents, pursuing the FIND grant for design funding, and then issuing construction procurement once funding and designs are in place. No public comment was received on the items at the time of the vote.
The commission’s action moves both projects into the formal design phase and positions the city to seek grants to offset design costs; construction schedules will depend on grant awards and subsequent procurement.
