Miami Beach improvements

Letter writer Sandi Caplan complained about Miami Beach flooding. The city is actively involved in combating flooding and the results of sea level rise. An integral part of the program is to install stormwater pumps throughout the city, including four in the West Avenue area.

Because of the low elevation of the road, there is a short-term need to elevate it by approximately 18 inches to 24 inches in the most vulnerable areas. This is a critical first step to raising the elevation of the entire city in order to keep pace with the rising seas.

Unfortunately, the city’s porous subsurface soils do not allow for the same approach that has been used in other cities where walls are built without much concern for percolation of water up from the subsurface.

We understand that this area is construction weary and have offered, on several occasions, to postpone the West Avenue construction. However, the repeated message from the public has been that it is better to get all of the construction done at once.

We are trying to ensure the long-term viability of Miami Beach in the most effective way and will continue to engage the public on the proposed improvements.

This story was originally published January 31, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Miami Beach improvements."