Parker gets over $2 million in grants for water related projects

PARKER — The city of Parker has received more than $2 million in grants recently and has a number of other grant applications pending.

At the City Council meeting Monday, Preble Rish representative Elizabeth Moore said Parker has received a $1,013,476 grant from the Northwest Florida Water Management District for stormwater improvements aimed at  keeping pollutants out of water and addressing flood stage levels. The 11th Street project is in final design, and construction is scheduled to begin in January.

The Natural Resource Damage Assessment program awarded the city a $844,200 grant for a 300-foot to 500-foot Earl Gilbert fishing pier that will used by both the city and Tyndall Air Force Base. The city is waiting for the release of funds.

Parker was awarded another grant from NWFWMD, $278,500, to replace 30 gate valves in the city. Again the city is waiting for the release of funds.

Mayor Rich Musgrave said the city applied for another grant to NWFWMD to replace water mains south of Business 98 between Pitts Avenue and West Park Street.Musgrave said the city will have to reapply for some pending grants next year, including:

• New stormwater master plan with NWFWMD, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Nature Conservancy funds
• A CRA project through FEMA and RESTORE to rehabilitate pump stations, manholes and force mains.
• A sidewalk project through FDOT and Bay County from Maine Street to Soule Drive and along State 22A from Business 98 to Parker Elementary.
• Cheri Lane stormwater management facility through the Nature Conservancy fund.