Downtown resurfacing should end in August

Pensacola City Administrator Eric Olson told the City Council at its July 10 Agenda Review that downtown resurfacing will be completed by Aug. 8. One of the most difficult areas, Main Street, began resurfacing on July 11.

The 23 rain days in June have put most of the city’s construction projects behind.

“We again ask for the public’s patience,” said Olson. “On the back end of this, we’re going to end up with a lot of really good improvements to the city’s infrastructure.”

The city administrator did not go into any detail regarding the flooding the Tanyard neighborhood that led to raw sewage flowing on DeVilliers Street. He said, “This city’s original topography determines where the stormwater goes, and while it may be altered or disguised, such as Washerwoman’s Creek, that is where the water is going to flow.”

Olson told the council that the mayor’s office would try to address issues such as the Tanyard “as best we can.” The city has asked the Emerald Coast Utility Authority to install rain guards to keep stormwater from getting into the sanitary sewer system.