A new $2 million state appropriation will help fund stormwater improvements in Shore Acres, one of St. Petersburg’s most flood-prone neighborhoods, with city officials planning to accelerate construction of a major resiliency project.

The funding, included in Florida’s 2026-27 state budget, will support the Shore Acres Denver Street Storm Damage Improvements project. The project is designed to improve the neighborhood’s stormwater system by installing a new pump station and increasing the capacity of existing drainage infrastructure.

According to the City of St. Petersburg, the improvements will reduce surface flooding for more than 350 structures by allowing stormwater to move more efficiently during heavy rainfall and storm events. The project is part of the city’s broader Stormwater Master Plan and its St. Pete Agile Resilience (SPAR) initiative, which prioritizes infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable areas.

State Sen. Nick DiCeglie and State Rep. Lindsay Cross sponsored the funding request during the 2026 legislative session. The $2 million appropriation follows a previous $1 million state grant awarded for a separate Shore Acres pump station project, reflecting continued state investment in flood mitigation efforts for the neighborhood.

The Denver Street project has an estimated cost of approximately $8.7 million. The remaining funding will come from local sources. City officials say the state appropriation allows the project to move forward sooner than originally scheduled.

Shore Acres has experienced repeated flooding during major storms in recent years, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The neighborhood has been the focus of multiple flood mitigation projects as the city works to improve drainage and reduce future flood impacts.

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