Punta Gorda details projects for 1% sales tax vote

Punta Gorda City Council identified projects that would be funded through an extension of the Local Option 1% Sales Tax, pending voter approval in a Nov. 3 referendum. 

The city would receive 10% of the revenue, with the remainder going to Charlotte County. 

City Manager Melissa Reichert said funding is allocated across three categories: $53.288 million for public infrastructure and utilities, $16.955 million for public safety and about $15 million for quality-of-life projects. 

Finance Director Kristin Simeone said some project costs remain undetermined, and funding could shift between categories if surpluses emerge. 

Major projects include infrastructure improvements tied to the Downtown Flood Study, upgrades in the Historic District, expansion of the reverse osmosis plant and an expansion of the Public Safety building at 1410 Tamiami Trail. 

Phase 3 of the downtown flooding project is estimated at $3.635 million, with an additional $3 million to $5 million for a Kimley-Horn engineering study. Flooding at Herald Court Centre led the city to designate $250,000 for a permanent pump generator to help protect downtown businesses. Two storms in 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton, caused significant flooding damage and led some businesses to relocate. 

The reverse osmosis plant expansion is divided into two tiers, each funded at $10.5 million. Simeone said the city’s sales tax committee ranked the project as a top priority and noted that any grant funding could offset costs and free up sales tax dollars for other needs. 

City officials also have discussed expanding the Public Safety building, a 22,500-square-foot facility built in 2002 and shared by police and fire departments. The expansion is estimated at $6.95 million as a Tier 1 project, with an additional $1.8 million for vehicles and equipment. Another $2.488 million is earmarked for a fire apparatus, sanitation packers and Public Works equipment, along with $1.2 million for communications infrastructure as a Tier 2 project. 

Downtown access improvements include a proposed $200,000 elevator replacement at the Herald Court Centre Parking Garage. Built in 2009, the four-level, 409-space garage serves nearby restaurants, shops and the weekly farmers market. City officials said frequent elevator outages have reduced use of the facility and affected nearby businesses. 

Quality-of-life projects focus on parks and public spaces, including $3.645 million for Ponce de Leon Park, $1.641 million for Trabue Park, $447,000 for shade structures at Harborwalk and Veteran’s Park, $999,000 for improvements at Laishley Park’s Marriage Point and $620,000 for Historic District interpretation markers. 

Tier 2 projects include $4 million for Harborwalk improvements along the 2.5-mile multiuse trail connecting areas from the former hospital site to Fishermen’s Village. 

The city also is evaluating costs to restore Laishley Marina, which has been closed since Hurricane Milton caused severe damage in October 2024. While the city has budgeted a $1.5 million loan for repairs, Council member Janis Denton said costs could exceed that amount. Simeone said the estimate reflects current projections and would be structured as a loan. 

Additional projects include $125,000 for channel and basin dredging near the Punta Gorda Boat Club and $150,000 for dinghy docks in the same area. 

Public Works Director Ron Everts said a $2.8 million expansion of the Public Works yard is needed to improve security and protect equipment from weather damage. Other planned improvements include citywide ADA sidewalk upgrades.