Riviera and Gardenia Project Updates

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Please look back at this website from time to time for the latest updates.

JANUARY 20th - JANUARY 5th - 16th 2025 - Heavy construction was not permitted within the ditch due to protected gopher tortoises.  Staging and fence removal continued.  

JANUARY 23rd -January 26th 2026 - Pre-cond

UPCOMING!

MARCH 2nd 2026 - Crews are remobilizing on site.  Fence removals to continue along with silt fence installation, tree removals and excavating of the ditch.  

COMPLETED ACTIVITIES:

FEBRUARY 17th - 19th 2026 - Gopher tortoise relocation activities completed.  

JANUARY 27th - February 13th - Project on hold due to environmental permitting requirements.  Gopher tortoises may only be relocated when the recipient site's evening low temperature was above 50 degrees F for three days.  This condition was not met until February 14th.

JANUARY 23rd -January 26th 2026 - Pre-condition survey completed.  This provides the crews baseline elevations to monitor on a weekly basis during construction.  Elevations of accessory structures and homes are monitored for settlement and shifting during construction.

JANUARY 5th - January 16th 2026 - Mobilization, staging and removal of fences continued.  Heavy construction was not permitted within the ditch due to protected gopher tortoises.  Contractor continued coordinating tortoise relocation permit with FWC.  

DECEMBER 16th -19th 2025 - Crews begin preparation work for construction. This includes staging, clearing, removing fences, identifying sprinklers, and environmental protection. Contractors to discuss impacts with each homeowner.  Crews were requested not to be on site between December 22nd -January 2nd to allow for a more peaceful holiday season for residents. 

NOVEMBER 17th 2025 - Video documentation completed along the easement.  Captured existing conditions prior to construction.  This helps track any changes during construction and ensures all areas are restored back to the same or better condition if they are impacted in the project.  

PROJECT DETAILS 

The Riviera and Gardenia project addresses erosion of an existing ditch in the City's stormwater system.  The current condition of the ditch impacts properties immediately adjacent to the ditch as well as a large portion of residents in the Sebastian Highlands Unit 5 region.  

In order to improve the condition of the stormwater system in the area, the City is looking to pipe the length of existing ditch from Riviera Avenue to Chelsea Avenue between Gardenia St and Evernia St.  A reinforced concrete piping system will be installed with a shallow swale on top to collect nearby surface water.  Existing side yard pipes will be connected into the rear ditch pipe system.   Driveway culverts and road crossings in the area will also be impacted to ensure the entire drainage area is functioning properly.  As design and planning for this project began in 2021 we are excited to move forward with the project.  

Please look back at this website from time to time for updates.