Osceola receives $4.69M for BVL stormwater improvements

With the award of a $4.69 million grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Infrastructure Program, residents of Buenaventura Lakes will see development of a large-scale infrastructure project that will make the community more resilient to future disasters.

Stormwater infrastructure improvements will include replacing drainage structures on Royal Palm Drive, West Lake Drive, Satin Wood Circle, Competition Boulevard, Cedarwood Circle, Floral Drive and Seal Street. These improvements, along with the recent construction of additional stormwater management areas in the west side of the community, will result in reduced flood risk for both residential and commercial properties and remove residents from the 100-year floodplain.

“I’m thrilled that we were able to capture this investment that will provide muchneeded stormwater relief to Buenaventura Lakes residents with the development of a highimpact project that will improve storm water drainage and help prevent flooding that will serve the community for many years to come,” said Osceola Commissioner Viviana Janer, whose district includes Buenaventura Lakes. “This fits nicely with work already underway to replace improperly sloped culverts on Royal Palm and to improve the drainage ditch which starts at the Publix on Simpson Road and drains into the BVL stormwater system.”

Additionally, design & permitting is already underway for a new dedicated outfall for the Buenaventura Lakes Stormwater system. The new outfall will provide the basis for these remaining drainage improvements to be completed. The attached map illustrates the various drainage improvements previously constructed, underway, and proposed for the community. This grant, previously received Florida Division of Emergency Management grants, and matching contributions by the Board of County Commissioners represent a $12 million investment in drainage infrastructure improvements to the Buenaventura Lakes community.

The award was part of an announcement from Governor Ron DeSantis that totaled more than $148 million.

The funds are allocated to the state through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation program formed in response to the 2016 to 2017 presidentially declared disasters.