Engineers present new lift station renderings

Moving forward with an overhauled design, the engineering firm in charge of the Lift Station 87 project led a meeting last night to update and get feedback from the public.

After engineering firm McKim and Creed informed the City Commission that the original plans for an underground lift station would be vulnerable to major storms, they were directed to produce plans for a structure that could withstand a Category 3 storm surge. As a result, the wastewater facility will now include an above-ground structure in Luke Wood Park, near Mound Street and Tamiami Trail.

On May 29, the engineering firm and city staff presented two concepts for what that structure could eventually look like. After consulting with the city’s Urban Design Studio, the group decided to proceed with a high-profile building.

“We decided the best option was a dominant feature — something that would draw attention to the park,” McKim and Creed Project Manager Robert Garland said. “Something the residents could be proud of and the city could be proud of.”

One option was in the art deco style, while the other was a Mission-style building. Garland said it was too early to know which style the group would go with after hearing back from the public, but he said updated design plans should be ready within the next month.

Lift Station 87, which will handle one-third of the city’s wastewater and replace Lift Station 7, was recently projected to cost $27.1 million, though the city is expecting to recoup some of the money paid to the previous engineering firm. Construction is slated to begin this October, with a completion date in January 2016.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].