Duval County

Drainage improvements coming to San Marco in a few months

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monday brought nor’easter conditions to the beach and higher-than-normal tides to places along the St. Johns River, like San Marco.

Action News Jax checked areas for flooding and found most spots were spared, but neighbors know the concern well.

“If it’s going to pour and come down really fast, the water just doesn’t leave. It stays and stands,” said Sara Ley, who lives in the area.

City Council approved purchasing a piece of property at San Marco Boulevard and Lasalle Street in February for $900,000. It will soon be the site of a new water pump in the area aimed at cutting down the risk.

The City of Jacksonville said construction on the new pump is slated to begin within 90 days. It’s part of a $64 million project aimed at overhauling the neighborhood’s aging drainage system and is expected to be completeed within three years.

“When Irma came through, it flooded many houses, and many have been redone or businesses shut down because of the impact. Financially, it’s an impact that people will keep giving back,” Ley said.