Lido Beach Renourishment

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Project Description

The City of Sarasota, in collaboration with Sarasota County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is advancing a comprehensive coastal protection initiative to restore and fortify Lido Beach. This multi-phase effort -- spanning dredging, beach renourishment, and due construction -- addresses long-term erosion and strengthens the City's resilience to sea-level rise, severe storm impacts, and future climate impacts.

Due to the cumulative effects of multiple storms and hurricanes in recent years, Lido Beach has experienced accelerated shoreline loss and due system degradation. These impacts have significantly affected environmental health, recreational access, and the protection of nearby infrastructure. Since the last renourishment in 2021, the City has prioritized this critical infrastructure project as a strategic investment in coastal resilience, public safety, and natural resource preservation.

Public Engagement

The City of Sarasota held a public informational meeting to introduce the Lido Beach Dunes project on March 26th, 2025. The presentation covered the project's background, limits, and scope of work, and opportunities for public comment were provided. The slides and meeting minutes from the presentation can be found under the Project Documents tab.

As part of its stewardship approach, the City is committed to minimizing disruptions to residents and visitors. Public access to the beach will be maintained as feasibly as possible during active construction, with clear signage, safety measures, and continuous public updates throughout the project.

This initiative is made possible through the combined efforts of Sarasota County, the USACE, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Mote Marine Laboratory, the Sarasota Audubon Society, and the Lido Key community.

Intergovernmental Coordination

On May 5th, 2025, the Sarasota City Commission approved two essential agreements:

  • A Temporary Access and Work Area Easement
  • The assignment of 21 Perpetual Beach Storm Damage Reduction Easements (PBSDREs) to Sarasota County.

The Agreements, formally accepted by the Sarasota County Commission on June 3rd, 2025, fulfill the real estate certification requirements for USACE-led construction efforts. The temporary easements are non-exclusive and remain in effect through December 31st, 2026, enabling the City to support both local and federal shoreline protection initiatives.

The City has procured $12 million in disaster relief funds from the USACE to restore the federally authorized beach template after the multiple hurricane events since 2021: $8 million in 2022, and an additional $4 million in 2025 to address the increased project costs from inflation and and evolving design standards. These funds were made possible through ongoing advocacy efforts, including the work of the Color Nine Group, LLC, the City's federal lobbying partner. Their coordination, in partnership with the offices of U.S. Representative Greg Steube and Senator Rick Scott, helped ensure Lido Beach remained a priority for federal shoreline investment.

Project Description

The City of Sarasota, in collaboration with Sarasota County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is advancing a comprehensive coastal protection initiative to restore and fortify Lido Beach. This multi-phase effort -- spanning dredging, beach renourishment, and due construction -- addresses long-term erosion and strengthens the City's resilience to sea-level rise, severe storm impacts, and future climate impacts.

Due to the cumulative effects of multiple storms and hurricanes in recent years, Lido Beach has experienced accelerated shoreline loss and due system degradation. These impacts have significantly affected environmental health, recreational access, and the protection of nearby infrastructure. Since the last renourishment in 2021, the City has prioritized this critical infrastructure project as a strategic investment in coastal resilience, public safety, and natural resource preservation.

Public Engagement

The City of Sarasota held a public informational meeting to introduce the Lido Beach Dunes project on March 26th, 2025. The presentation covered the project's background, limits, and scope of work, and opportunities for public comment were provided. The slides and meeting minutes from the presentation can be found under the Project Documents tab.

As part of its stewardship approach, the City is committed to minimizing disruptions to residents and visitors. Public access to the beach will be maintained as feasibly as possible during active construction, with clear signage, safety measures, and continuous public updates throughout the project.

This initiative is made possible through the combined efforts of Sarasota County, the USACE, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Mote Marine Laboratory, the Sarasota Audubon Society, and the Lido Key community.

Intergovernmental Coordination

On May 5th, 2025, the Sarasota City Commission approved two essential agreements:

  • A Temporary Access and Work Area Easement
  • The assignment of 21 Perpetual Beach Storm Damage Reduction Easements (PBSDREs) to Sarasota County.

The Agreements, formally accepted by the Sarasota County Commission on June 3rd, 2025, fulfill the real estate certification requirements for USACE-led construction efforts. The temporary easements are non-exclusive and remain in effect through December 31st, 2026, enabling the City to support both local and federal shoreline protection initiatives.

The City has procured $12 million in disaster relief funds from the USACE to restore the federally authorized beach template after the multiple hurricane events since 2021: $8 million in 2022, and an additional $4 million in 2025 to address the increased project costs from inflation and and evolving design standards. These funds were made possible through ongoing advocacy efforts, including the work of the Color Nine Group, LLC, the City's federal lobbying partner. Their coordination, in partnership with the offices of U.S. Representative Greg Steube and Senator Rick Scott, helped ensure Lido Beach remained a priority for federal shoreline investment.