Facility Was Destroyed By Hurricane Irma In 2017

Tavares, FL officials hope to have the city's signature seaplane base back in operation by fall 2020, and say the rebuilding project is on "hyper speed".

The Daily Commercial newspaper reports that the project came up during a recent city meeting to discuss the construction of a proposed performing arts center. Some residents expressed concerns about how long some city projects take to complete, with the seaplane docks at the top of their list.

The seaplane base was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The storm pulled up docks and walkways, leaving little in its wake. The city did not secure a contractor to rebuild the facility until the spring of 2018, and is still working with its insurance company to secure funding for the project.

City Administrator John Drury said that for any large municipal project, it takes a year to decide whether to do the project, a year to find the money, a year to design, engineer and permit the project, and a year to actually build it. And that's when it is on a fast track.

While the docks for the seaplane base should be opened next year, but a complete rebuilding of the facility is still about two years out. Infrastructure to support boats and airplanes will be further apart for safety reasons, and the fueling system will be modified to compliment other updates. Water, sewer pump-outs and electric service is also being rebuilt.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report