Projects

Mitigation Projects

The following projects have been awarded or are expected to be awarded as a result of an effort by the county to secure federal and state grant funding in response to a series of natural disasters, beginning with Hurricane Michael in 2018. These projects are intended to assist the county in mitigating and preventing damage from future natural disasters. More than $47.1 million has been awarded or applied for thus far toward these projects, primarily via the federal government. Learn more about project funding mechanisms here. View a locator map of these projects here.

Fiber Optics Mitigation

The fiber optics mitigation project provides protective measures to critical communication facilities throughout Bay County. It will add redundant fiber optic connections to 93 Bay County facilities and 111 traffic signals by installing fiber optic cabling to close the rings in seven sections of the existing fiber-optic network serving 911 radio towers, Fire/EMS and other facilities that rely on those sections.
 

911 Radio Towers Generators 

This project provides backup protection to emergency radio towers in Bay County through the installation of an emergency system to reduce and/or mitigate damage that might otherwise occur from severe weather or other hazards. Four emergency radio towers will be outfitted with 50 kw permanent generators and automatic transfer switches to support these critical communications facilities. These new generators will ensure reliable backup power and allow the towers to fully function and provide uninterrupted emergency communications.

Bay County 9th Street Fuel Island

This project provides backup power to the fuel pumps at the Bay County 9th Street Fuel Island facility, located at 517 E. 9th Street, Panama City, FL during damaging weather. The installation of a 25-kW permanent generator will keep the facility operational in the event of a power outage. This facility provides critical fuel services to government and emergency vehicles. 

Bay County Sheriff's Office Headquarters Generator 

This generator project provides protection to the Bay County Sheriff's Office Headquarters building in Panama City with the installation of an emergency system to reduce and/or mitigate damage from severe weather or other hazards. The installation of 450 Kw permanent generator and two automatic transfer switches will allow the Sheriff's Office Headquarters building, located at 3421 State 77, Panama City, FL, to remain operational during future power outages.

EMS Safe Room 

This project provides a standalone safe room at the Bay County Jail, located at 5700 Star Lane, Panama City, FL.

Phase 1 of this project includes surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for the proposed project for Phase II approval. No construction activities are approved at this time.

Phase 2 of the project is the construction of a new standalone hurricane safe room rated for winds up to 200 mph. The safe room shall provide near-absolute protection for first responders, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, public works, and utility partners and their respective equipment during wind events and after disasters. To maximize the functionality of the safe room, the space shall be used as Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) site for proceedings during non-disaster periods and as an alternative Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

All installations shall be in strict compliance with local and federal specifications, and all materials shall be certified to meet wind and impact standards.
 
Fire Station Hardening

This project will provide wind protection to three county fire stations at Thomas Drive, Sandhills and Youngstown. The project will replace overhead roll-up doors and windows with hurricane impact-resistant products at three existing county fire stations in order to protect the integrity of each building and reduce potential damage from future wind events. 

Bay County Sheriff's Office Jail Generator 

The jail generator project will provide backup power to the Bay County Sheriff's Office Jail, located at 5700 Star Lane, Panama City, FL through the purchase and installation of a 450 kW permanent generator and two automatic transfer switches. The project will allow the jail to remain operational during future power outages caused by severe weather or other hazards.

Bay County Lift Stations

This project protects 36 lift stations located in Bay County with the purchase and installation of permanent bypass pumps to mitigate sanitary sewer flooding and surcharging during storm events. During an event, the sanitary sewer system needs to continue circulation to prevent being overwhelmed by increased volume from floodwaters. Emergency bypass pumps allow lift station pump operation to be maintained even without an external power supply. The proposed systems include a 400 GPM pump intended to evacuate the sanitary lift stations during power outages.

Majette Yard Fuel Island 

This project provides for the purchase and installation of a 25-kW permanent generator to reduce and/or mitigate damage at the Majette Yard Fuel Island that might otherwise occur from severe weather or other hazards. This critical facility, located at 4800 Fire Tower Road, Panama City, FL, provides fuel to the county’s fleet and emergency vehicles. The generator will be powered by diesel and will have its own dedicated fuel tank. 

Mexico Beach

Bay County has been awarded $5,025,000.00 in CDBG-DR funds for the Mexico Beach Renourishment and Dune Restoration project. The eyewall of Hurricane Michael made direct landfall in Bay County, bringing unprecedented destruction to the City of Mexico Beach. Prior to the storm, the City’s beach had an extensive beach and dune system which provided critical habitat to shorebirds and turtles. The dune system is also protected against surge and erosion in smaller events.

The loss of the dunes makes the city more vulnerable to surge and erosion post-Michael. This project will restore the beaches and dunes between 8^th Street and 37^th Street in the City of Mexico Beach. This restoration includes:

Potable Water 

This project protects the county’s potable water distribution system in Southport and Panama City. Phase 1 of the project includes surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for the proposed project, for Phase II approval. No construction activities for this project have been approved.

Phase 2 of the project improves the potable water distribution system by adding redundancy to improve its serviceability and functionality. The project consists of two zones:

Zone A, located along State 77 in Southport, includes the installation of approximately 260 linear feet of 10-inch pvc water main in steel casing across two locations directionally bored under the roadway. 

Zone B covers and area of approximately 1.8 square mile and includes the installation of more than 9,500 linear feet of potable water main piping, including the required fittings and appurtenances for system looping. 

Additionally, the project included 36 isolation gate valves. The multiple cross-connections between the two transmission lines will provide component redundancies throughout the system to better allow for isolation of localized segments in the event of a breakage and for bypassing the flow around the isolated area while the breakage is addressed. The project will mitigate the risk of potable water service losses to the impacted population, allowing faster recovery. 

Deer Point Dam Raw Water Line 

This project will improve the county’s potable water system by protecting the force main on the Deer Point Dam. 

The scope is for Phase 1 only, which includes surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for the proposed project for Phase II approval. No construction activities for this project have been approved. 

Phase 2 of the project includes replacing the existing raw water aerial pipe crossing affixed to the Deer Point Dam over Deer Point Reservoir with a 36-inch, 2,000 linear foot subaqueous pipeline. 

The proposed pipeline will be installed via horizontally directional drill construction methods and will pass underground from one side of the crossing to the other, connecting the existing underground water mains at either end of the bridge. The project will include the installation of isolation valves at both connection points to allow for shutoff in case of problems or breakages and an underground utility vault with an air release/vacuum breaker valve at each end of the crossing. The existing aerial pipe will be left in place for use as an emergency bypass. This project eliminates the risk of wave and windborne debris damaging the pipe during severe storm events, reducing the risk of loss of raw water supply to the water treatment plant, and hence mitigating the associated public safety hazards connected with loss of water and sanitary service for the entire county including the Tyndall Air Force base, which could compromise national defense. 

EOC Water Line 

This project provides protection to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) potable water line, located at 700 Highway 2300, Panama City, FL. The scope is for Phase 1 only, which includes surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for the proposed project, for Phase II approval. No construction activities for this project have been approved. 

Phase 2 connects this critical facility to the wholesale water distribution system, which is prioritized for service in the event the water treatment plant experiences a loss in operability due to damage from a disaster, minimizing outages, and guaranteeing continuity of operations during emergencies. The project includes the installation of approximately 7,000 linear feet of 6-inch cement mortar-lined ductile iron (DI) water main and tapping sleeves to join the water main to the wholesale network and the EOC facilities. Additionally, isolation gate valves, associated fittings and appurtenances, an aerial crossing, and a gravel access road along the proposed pipe route in the portion passing through undeveloped land is included. The direct connection between the EOC and the wholesale potable water transmission line mitigates the risk of loss of water service during severe storm events and sanitary services that are dependent on the availability of running water. The project consequentially benefits the disaster relief and recovery efforts for the entire county by preventing the disruption of operations of nearly 1,000 first responders.   

Bay County Government Center Generator 

This project provides backup power to the Bay County Government Center building through the purchase and installation of a 1,750 kW permanent generator, allowing the building to remain operational during power outages. 

Traffic Signal Mast Arms 

This project provides 10 upgrade span wire traffic signals at 14 locations throughout Bay County, replacing existing span wire, pole structures, and associated underground infrastructure, which support the traffic signal system, with new mast arm structures. The new mast arms provide protection against up to 144-mph winds.

Wastewater Utility Mitigation 

This project ensures protective measures to the Cedar Grove Subdistrict wastewater collection system in Cedar Grove.

Phase 1 of this project includes surveying, engineering, design, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for Phase II approval. No construction activities for this project have been approved. 

Phase 2 of the project proposes to improve the existing wastewater collection system infrastructure via the construction of an adjunct sewage lift station and force main to reduce the flow demand of existing lift station BC-29 and to increase the capacity of the system. The new lift station shall be located at the Southeast corner of Spring Avenue Park and shall include a wet well, valve box, and meter vault, two electric submersible pumps and motors, associated piping and fitting, control panel, and electrical connections. The lift station will also be equipped with a permanent diesel-powered bypass pump with a capacity of 400 – 500 GPM.The installation includes a platform to raise the bypass pump and electrical equipment. The diesel-powered bypass pump will keep the lift station operational during power outages associated with high wind events. 

Flows shall be conveyed to the lift station by removing and replacing two existing manholes to accommodate new outlets outflowing into the adjunct lift station. One of these manholes shall maintain an outlet pipe to the existing BC-29 lift station to use as an overflow outlet if this new lift station is overloaded. Approximately 240 linear feet of 6-inch PVC gravity sewer will be installed, including approximately 40 linear feet of subaqueous stream crossing. One existing sanitary manhole and approximately 250 linear feet of existing sanitary gravity sewer pipe, obviated by this modification, shall be abandoned in place and filled with flowable fill. Additional activities include vegetative removal along the proposed route of one segment of gravity sewer, installation and removal of temporary erosion and sediment controls as required, and site restoration. 

The lift station will convey flows to the servicing wastewater treatment plant through a new sewage force main consisting of approximately 2,641 linear feet of 6-inch PVC force main pipe, including two directional bores to cross roadways and connection of the proposed force main to the existing force main located at the intersection of East 17th Street and North East Avenue. The proposed project protects the existing wastewater collection system at the Cedar Grove Subdistrict against flood and wind impacts and prevent sewer backups into residential and commercial properties.  

Western Resiliency Center Saferoom 

This proposal includes a code plus wind protection and a safe room at the Western Resiliency Center, located at 50 Chip Seal Parkway, Panama City Beach. 

The scope is for Phase 1 only, including surveying, engineering, designing, plans preparation, permitting, and bidding for the proposed project, for Phase II approval. No construction activities for this project have been approved. 

Phase 2’s proposed scope of work includes designing and constructing a new building above code to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 mph. The building also includes an internal hurricane safe room for 60 personnel designed to meet federal requirements for 200 mph winds and to provide nearly absolute protection for a minimum of 24 hours to first responders. 

In addition, the county will purchase and install a 1,000-kW generator and an automatic transfer switch and fuel tank. 

Williams Bayou Pump Station 

This project is aimed at protecting the Williams Bayou Pump Station with the installation of a 2.5 MW permanent generator to support the critical utility. The project includes the installation of seven variable frequency drives (VFDs), one for each of the raw water pumps and motors, to protect them against power surges and phase losses. The VFDs will be housed in a prefabricated enclosure and a platform or raised concrete slab will elevate the structure and generator.