Sebastian officials attend groundbreaking ceremony for new Public Works Complex.

On Friday, July 9, 2021, the City of Sebastian hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Public Works Complex at the Sebastian Municipal Airport.

City officials and staff with the Wright Construction Group took shovels and broke ground in a traditional ceremony. City Manager Paul Carlisle said a new county sewer line would be in place for the Public Works Complex.

Carlisle also emphasized the importance of bringing the sewer line to an area that never had service in the county, made possible by grant funds.

Vice Mayor Jim Hill spoke about the current Public Works complex on CR-512, known as the “triangle area” between the east and westbound lanes. He’s hoping the city will redevelop the lot to something the citizens will appreciate in the future.

“It’s great to finally see this project moving forward. I have been working on getting this done for over 13 years and look forward to seeing its completion this fall. The project will be an economic boom for the western industrial property at our airport while removing a blight in our triangle area. Now we can start developing the triangle as the citizens desire,” Hill told Sebastian Daily.

Councilman Fred Jones said it was a pleasure to attend the groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning for the City of Sebastian’s new Public Works Facility.

“This facility has been in the making for years, and now we look forward to its completion,” Jones said.

Councilman Bob McPartlan also shared the importance of the county sewer line, which he hopes will improve our environment by moving people away from septic tanks in this part of the county.

Councilman Chris Nunn also shared McPartlan’s view and said the new facility is bringing sewer services to residents who live on Roseland Road who wouldn’t have them otherwise.

“I am very excited about this new Public Works facility as it has brought sewer and city water services to the airport and residents who live on Roseland Road. This facility is good for the city and its Public Works Department, and the environment,” Councilman Chris Nunn said.

In February, the Sebastian City Council approved the $9.1 million project. Discussion on moving the Public Works Complex from its current location on CR-512 has been in the making for 12 years.

The project was already budgeted through the discretionary sales tax fund, which means the city will not increase taxes to pay for the new facility. It will also be connected to the county sewer, paid for by grant funds.

Hill also thanked Carlisle and his staff, who made the project happen.

When Carlisle joined Sebastian as its new City Manager in 2018, the project was one of his goals to complete. So Carlisle immediately started the bidding process for a design-build contract.

In 2019, Wright Construction Group was awarded the contract by the city council. They hope to have it complete by April 7, 2022.

Here’s a few photos of the ceremony. Use the left and right arrows to scroll through the pictures.