Madira Beach seeks grant to fix half of John's Pass Boardwalk pilings

Nearly half of the 192 pilings supporting the John's Pass Boardwalk in Madeira Beach require new structural jackets, according to city data. These heavy-duty protective sleeves encase the underwater and splash-zone sections of the marine posts to prevent further deterioration from standard wear and tear.

Public Works Director Megan Wepfer stated that the city submitted a grant application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection last week. The request seeks $200,000, an amount that represents less than 20 percent of the more than $1 million needed to complete all necessary repairs. The grant terms require the city to match the awarded amount.

Wepfer noted that the city does not expect to hear from the state agency until December. While officials wait for a decision, the city continues to work on the infrastructure using a phased approach. This strategy involves installing annual structural jackets to manage the slow pace of the project.

The grant funds would speed up the repair process. Currently, the cost to install a single jacket is approximately $5,000. The city's fiscal year 2027 budget allows for the repair of only six to eight pilings each year. Accelerating the timeline would address the backlog of unsupported posts more quickly.

The boardwalk, constructed in the 1970s, has endured decades of saltwater exposure. In 2024, Hurricane Helene caused storm surge that shifted portions of the decking. Floating debris also damaged some of the pilings during the storm event.

City records indicate that 30 to 35 pilings currently lack protective jackets. Another 55 pilings have jackets installed in the early 2000s that are aging and sit too low, allowing saltwater to reach the wood. Barnacles have also burrowed into exposed sections, gradually narrowing the pilings.

The upper level of the boardwalk remains in satisfactory condition for visitors. However, the annual condition report rates the area below the deck as fair. Wepfer held a town hall in October to discuss the deteriorating pilings, inadequate jackets, and barnacle buildup, explaining that new jackets extend below the mudline and above the high-tide line.