Consultants from Stantec and Bolton & Menk presented the Duval Street Resiliency and Revitalization Plan to the commission and public on Dec. 2, recommending a comprehensive approach that combines engineered stormwater infrastructure with streetscape and green‑infrastructure improvements.

Lede: The plan centers on building a substantial pump station (proposed site near Mallory Square), upsizing key sewer/stormwater conduits, reinforcing road sub‑bases and integrating green infrastructure to reduce flooding linked to heavy rainfall and king tides. Stantec estimated an all‑in cost of roughly $50 million for the full 14‑block corridor project.

Nut graf: Consultants said the primary driver is stormwater resiliency; they recommended phasing the work and pursuing federal and state grants, with local match averaging $1.5–$2.0 million per year in the multi‑year funding scenario. Commissioners and business representatives urged prioritizing early, low‑intrusion work (design and a pump station) to reduce summer commercial impacts and to prepare shovel‑ready designs for grants.

Highlights of the plan: - Pump station(s) to actively remove stormwater where gravity drainage is insufficient. - Pipe upsizing and better interconnections feeding the pump station. - Use of curbless street sections and a hardened roadbed (asphalt base) in low‑lying segments. - Green infrastructure and living shoreline elements to improve runoff filtration and water quality. - Modular action plan to allow staff to implement low‑cost items quickly while phasing major construction.

Commission response: Commissioners repeatedly stressed limiting construction impacts on Duval Street businesses and recommended staff prioritize design and funding work to create shovel‑ready phases that can compete for grants. Stantec and city staff said an 8–10 year phased implementation is possible if grant funding and local matches are secured; construction of a design phase and a first‑phase pump station could be completed in 2–3 years if funding is available.

Next steps: Staff said it would return with recommendations about phasing, funding targets including legislative appropriation requests, and a design timeline; commissioners asked staff to explore immediate actions (design funding) that would make the project more competitive for grant programs.