The City of Sarasota, Florida, in collaboration with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Sarasota County, will begin a coastal protection project to restore 1.2 miles (1.9 kilometres) of eroded shoreline at Lido Beach. The project is paid for by $12 million in federal funding.
The beach renourishment phase, which involves depositing 200,000 to 300,000 cubic yards of sand sourced from the dredging of New Pass, is estimated to begin in late 2025 and be completed in early 2026. This will be followed by the construction of a new vegetative dune system, which is anticipated to begin in late 2026 and be completed by spring 2027.
Mayor Liz Alpert stated that the project will improve the area for residents and visitors and increase the resiliency of the coastal community.
The project has been timed to take place outside of shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons, following coordination with Mote Marine Laboratory and the Sarasota Audubon Society. This is the second renourishment project under a long-term agreement between the City and the USACE, with the first taking place in 2021.