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KBUnited: Investing in Key Biscayne’s Future – Getting Resiliency Infrastructure Right

Key Biscayne Resiliency and Infrastructure
We can all agree that Key Biscayne needs to upgrade its infrastructure to prepare for intensifying rainstorms, rising sea levels, and swelling groundwater levels. As we move forward, we must do so with the best information and planning in place. We believe the current council and administration is doing just that. The council has voted to move forward with plans to design a stormwater system and undergrounding utilities for Zone 1. Those plans are not yet complete, so we do not have accurate cost numbers.

The Challenges We Face:

  • Our stormwater system is overdue for upgrades. Experts agree that the current gravity system is approaching the end of its useful life and needs significant upgrades. To address the combination of natural forces facing our island, we must invest in pumps—gravity will not be sufficient. Please listen to a recent podcast linked in the QR code below featuring a prominent scientist and our Village Manager addressing these topics.
  • The current system was under-designed in certain zones. The current system has always been inadequate in certain areas. Zone 1 – the area surrounding the public school — has fewer wells, which may be why it is the most flood-prone area on the island.
  • The perception that the current system is not being properly maintained. Some people have suggested that the current system has not been properly maintained, however, that is not accurate. The Village reports that 34 of 39 wells will have been rehabilitated by the end of this fiscal year and every well will now be surveyed and cleaned as needed annually as part of the resiliency program. Ongoing maintenance is a critical component of the resiliency program as the entire project is likely to take 10-15 years to complete.
  • Overhead utilities make us more vulnerable to frequent power outages. We have been discussing undergrounded utilities for 30 years and it was listed as a priority in the 2006 Vision Plan. Power outages have become regular occurrences. We must underground before FPL decides to harden with unsightly concrete poles.

Things to Consider:

  • A Robust Stormwater System is Required for Success. Some argue that the current plan for Zone 1 is “overdesigned.” However, Zone 1 is the lowest point on the island, and if we don’t mitigate water there properly, surrounding zones will suffer.
  • The Risk. If we don’t invest in our stormwater system now, we are jeopardizing the insurability of our property and our property values. Without proper mitigation, the risk of flooding increases, making it harder for homeowners and businesses to get the insurance they need. Furthermore, stopping the design work now would cost us more in the long run—25% to 30% more in design fees alone to restart. We can always scale back when embarking on value engineering, if necessary, but stopping now would be a costly mistake.

The Bottom Line:

KBUnited believes the best course of action for Key Biscayne in moving forward with the resiliency program is to:

  1. Complete the plans for upgrading our stormwater system for Zone 1 to get a proper construction bid that includes all costs. We can then engage in value engineering the project.
  2. Prioritize the undergrounding of utilities for all of Key Biscayne immediately.
  3. Continue to maintain our existing stormwater system.

Let’s not buy into any misleading narratives. The current council has studied the issues, questioned the experts and consultants, and ultimately voted to move forward with the design of the necessary upgrades in Zone 1. Council will continue to provide the oversight needed to get this right.

Let’s be smart, gather the facts, and ensure we make the right decisions for the future. It’s time to invest, but let’s continue to do it right.