Council pursues multiple waterfront grants and approves dredging grant for Main Street boat ramp

The Sebastian City Council on March 25 approved several grant actions intended to improve public access and navigation along the waterfront at Riverview Park and to dredge the Main Street boat ramp.

Mister Blankenship described a $1,000,000 application to the Florida Inland Navigation District to fund construction and improvements at Riverview Park, including floating docks, a law‑enforcement lift and expanded public access. He said the request would be for a $500,000 FIND grant paired with a $500,000 local match. "We already have the Florida Communities Trust Grant. We want to make an effort to add to our ability to purchase (the Zimler property) and this would be just for the eastern side," he said.

Blankenship also presented a separate application to the Florida Boater Improvement Program to further the same waterfront priorities and urged council to apply for the smaller competitive grant as a hedge to increase chances for funding. Council approved both applications unanimously.

On dredging, Blankenship sought approval of a grant agreement for dredging the Main Street boat ramp and shoreline stabilization. He said permitting, a seagrass study and coordination with state agencies constrained the allowable footprint; Mister Benton later estimated the allowed scope represents roughly a 60–70% reduction from the city’s original desire. "We're only allowing us to do a small segment, due to the seagrass," Benton said. Council members noted dredging is expensive; one member said just to dredge the permitted area would be roughly a quarter‑million dollars.

Council approved the dredging grant agreement and directed staff to proceed to bid once permitting is complete. Blankenship said he expects to go to bid in April and move toward construction as permitted funding and agreements come in.

The council received no public comment on these items at the meeting.