Big Dock Funding Appeal

Levy County officials have appealed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funding to repair the County's "Big Dock" in Cedar Key. A letter went to FEMA July 17 requesting addition to the $1,300,000 granted in 2005 because the current bid is $4,650,000 to reconstruct the dock. The dock was declared unsafe in 2004 following a hurricane.

Matt Weldon of the Levy County Parks Department told Cedar Key News that the bidding construction company is attempting to "value engineer" the project to reduce costs. The high costs come from concrete vs. wood construction, widened finger piers and larger sanitary facilities. Further complicating the project is the weakness of the bridge on the approach to the dock which prevents efficient concrete delivery.

Weldon said that the County hopes to get a reply from FEMA within thirty days. He added that a FEMA representative sees no problem with the project.