ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Flooding has been a longtime concern around Mill Lake and Industrial Drive in Orange City. Now, the city is getting closer to a multi-million-dollar project aimed at moving more stormwater out of flood-prone areas.
The proposed upgrade would significantly increase the city’s ability to pump water into a city-owned pit along West French Avenue.
After years of planning, city leaders say the design work is complete. Three construction options are now under consideration, with estimated costs ranging from about $19 million to $27 million.
For residents who have watched water levels rise near their homes, the project could bring some relief.
Harry Dekanchuk, who lives on the higher side of Mill Lake, says he’s watched water come close to his property but stop short. He says homes on the lower side of the lake have experienced much worse flooding.
“Because for those houses on that side, I mean it’s in their house when it gets so bad,” Dekanchuk said.
Flooding has also created problems for drivers. Chelsea Craft remembers roads being underwater and closed for weeks, forcing people to take detours.
“It was really bad. It was like a whole detour and it was closed off for like weeks, so I am glad they’re doing something about it because that was very inconvenient,” Craft said.
City leaders say the proposed system would increase pumping capacity from 1.5 to 5.5 cubic feet per second, more than tripling the existing capacity.
There are three construction options on the table, with the final cost depending on how much additional capacity the city chooses to build.
Orange City says it has close to $19 million in funding available for the project. That includes money through Volusia County’s Transform386 program, which uses federal disaster recovery funds to help communities rebuild and become more resilient after hurricanes.
The final price tag will depend on which option the city selects, construction bids and whether additional funding becomes available.
Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027.
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