Community Project Funding allows certain federal funds to be directed toward a state, locality, or eligible nonprofit serving a Congressional district through the appropriations process.
The projects that Representative Anna Paulina Luna submitted on behalf of Florida’s Thirteenth Congressional District are listed below.
FY-26:
Project Name: City of Clearwater Storm Improvement Project
Requested Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of Clearwater, Pinellas County
Project location: City-wide/One Clearwater Tower, 6th Floor, 600 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL 33755
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: One Clearwater Tower, 6th Floor, 600 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL 33755
Explanation of the request: Clearwater’s North Beach has been suffered significant flooding resulting in repetitive losses to homeowners and businesses caused by severe storms and several major hurricanes (Debby, Helene, Milton). City of Clearwater completed a master plan in 2022 that identified need for pump stations, increased pipe sizes, improved roadway drainage features, tidal valves and other stormwater enhancements. This funding supports construction of initial pump stations to provide immediate flood relief to residents. Pump stations are first phase of multi-year construction project. Completion of pump stations will help mitigate against additional repetitive losses. The North Beach Stormwater Improvement project is included in the City’s current capital improvement budget, demonstrating the City’s commitment to its implementation. With an estimated cost ranging from $65 million to $90 million, the project is set to undergo a multi-phase construction, beginning in January 2026 and continuing through September 2030. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this funding supports construction of initial pump stations to provide immediate flood relief to residents.
Project Name: City of Treasure Island Wastewater Collection System Lining Project
Requested Amount: $1,600,000
Intended Recipient: City of Treasure Island, Pinellas County
Project location: City-wide/10451 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 10451 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706
Explanation of the request: The City of Treasure Island’s Wastewater Collection System Lining Project primarily consists of lining the City’s existing system to improve operations and reduce costs by reducing and/or eliminating high levels of Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) by stormwater, groundwater, etc. The City owns and operates the system, which consists over 122,781 linear feet of predominantly Vitrified Clay Pipes (VCP) that after several decades is prone to cracks and which was installed between the 1940s-1970s. Lining the system is a more cost-effective and efficient solution that a full system removal/replacement effort, and lining would result in a reduction/elimination of system-wide I&I from the current 45%-65% level to a goal of 10%. Lining also extends the life of the pipe by 50 years, providing both an immediate and long-term benefit to the community. The funding would be used to line the City’s existing system to improve operations and reduce costs by reducing and/or eliminating high levels of Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) by stormwater and groundwater. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this funding will allow the City’s wastewater collection system to operate more efficiently during normal operations by dramatically reducing the current I&I levels. The project’s improvements will help to prevent unsanitary backups, overflows, and system failures that can occur during rain events and major storms, and that pose a health and safety risk to residents and visitors.
Project Name: Lealman Community Hurricane Shelter Hardening
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners
Project location: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Explanation of the request: This project to harden a gymnasium for utilization as a hurricane risk and step-down shelter. This hurricane rated facility with backup generation would expand Pinellas County’s current capacity for risk and step-down sheltering. This facility services an identified community redevelopment area in one of the poorest areas of the county, and on a day-to-day basis serves as a school, daycare and neighborhood community center that is host to many activities and events.
Project Name: Northwest Sewer Basin Resiliency Improvements
Requested Amount: $10,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of St. Petersburg
Project location: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Explanation of the request: The project is identified in the St Pete Water Plan, a long term strategic plan for wastewater, water, and stormwater services. The purpose of the project will be to continue to upgrade the collection system to the target level of service outlined in the St Pete Water Plan, for the system to handle 7″” of rainfall over 24 hours without sanitary sewer overflows. As part of a larger project, these funds will be used specifically to upgrade Lift Station 25 and upsize 5,849 linear feet of gravity sewer upstream of Lift Station 25. FEMA’s PDM grants assist local governments with planning and implementing sustainable, cost-effective measures to provide long-term, permanent risk reduction to individuals and property from future natural hazards including flooding and hurricanes. This project will increase the ability of the City to accommodate increased flows associated with wet weather events and reduce the risk of sanitary sewer overflows.
Project Name: Northwest Water Reclamation Facility Generator Replacement
Requested Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of St. Petersburg
Project location: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Explanation of the request: The NWWRF currently has (3) diesel back up power generators to provide emergency power when the utility grid is not available, such as during storm and hurricane events. The existing generators are over 20 years old, and one generator has recently failed. The current configuration does not provide redundancy – without the failed generator back online, the full plant cannot be powered without utility power, which may limit treatment, causing the plant to go out of compliance, and lower the level of service to customers. The project will fund the replacement of the (3) existing aging generators with new generators as part of a larger project that will also design and install a 4th generator to provide redundancy in the event of a generator failure. Design Costs: $300,000 (4) Generators: $4,000,000 (1) Switchgear: $1,000,000 Installation & Integration: $1,700,000 Total Estimated Cost: $7,000,000. This project will ensure that the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility located within FL-13 will remain operational during larger power outages within the region. FEMA’s PDM grants are intended to assist local governments with planning and implementing sustainable, cost-effective measures to provide long-term, permanent risk reduction to individuals and property from future natural hazards including floods and hurricanes. This project meets that federal standard by reducing the risk of failure of the Northwest Water Facility during wet-weather events and any other events that may cause a power outage. This ensures continuity of service for residents and reduces associated hazards with such a failure.
Requested Amount: $3,000,000
Intended Recipient: University of South Florida
Project location: 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Explanation of the request: The University of South Florida requests Community Project Funding to improve the forecasting of hurricanes, storm surge, harmful algal blooms (including red tide events) and other natural hazards through new state-of-the art oceanographic instrumentation and existing sensor package upgrades. If funded, USF will fully instrument two new offshore buoy stations in the Gulf off the west Florida shelf and upgrade instrumentation packages at existing buoy stations. USF will also procure two new autonomous underwater vehicles to enhance oceanographic monitoring capabilities throughout Florida’s 13th Congressional District and the immediate region. The resultant buoy data will be transmitted to the NOAA National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) and Global Data Service (GDS) in real time via the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA). The novel data can be used to upgrade predictability by a wide range of scientists at the National Hurricane Center and affiliates running operational meteorological models for hurricane forecasting and storm surge modeling and prediction. Florida’s 13th Congressional District is uniquely vulnerable to natural hazards like hurricanes, storm surge, and red tide. Every constituent in this district lives near the Gulf intracoastal waterways or Tampa Bay and is at risk of storm surge and flooding events. The district’s economy heavily depends on coastal resources such as beaches, marinas, roads, and tourist attractions. Understanding these hazards and developing mitigation strategies is critical to protecting residents, businesses, and visitors. This project aims to provide the necessary data to improve hazard forecasts, evacuation planning, and risk mitigation. Advanced data collection systems are urgently needed to enhance forecasting for hurricanes, storm surge, and other coastal threats. The district’s low-lying areas, especially those less than 10 feet above sea level, are particularly at risk. Recent hurricanes have shown just how vulnerable this region is, resulting in billions of dollars in property losses. The proposed investment in ocean data collection will enable real-time observations of oceanographic and meteorological conditions, which are vital for hurricane tracking, intensity, storm surge, and flooding predictions. These data will also be invaluable for monitoring harmful algal blooms, hazardous material transport, search and rescue, and fisheries health. This project would provide critical information to help safeguard lives, property, and the environment.
Requested Amount: $1,906,780
Intended Recipient: Eckerd College
Project location: 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Explanation of the request: Eckerd College’s Marine Science Department has a strong record of protecting coastal resources and assessing water quality and its impacts on ecosystems. This request seeks funding for a one-year Community Project to support ongoing environmental monitoring in Tampa Bay, focusing on key stressors that affect the region’s future. Monitoring is essential to understanding the complex responses of marine ecosystems and guiding effective management. Eckerd’s faculty, recognized regionally and internationally, lead five major initiatives. The Microplastics in Tampa Bay program, led by Professors Shannon Gowans and Amy Siuda, established a baseline in 2017 and supports long-term tracking of this emerging contaminant. Research on red tide, conducted in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, aims to improve forecasting of harmful algal bloom dynamics. Long-term monitoring of bottlenose dolphins, a sentinel species, provides insight into changes in behavior and abundance tied to environmental shifts. A new lab group under Dr. Emily Lancaster is tracking invasive invertebrates and overall biodiversity using water samples and advanced genetic tools, while also training 16 undergraduate researchers. Lastly, Dr. Philip Gravinese’s Ecophysiology lab studies stone crab populations to identify preferred habitats and assess fishery health, supporting sustainable management of a $30 million industry facing significant decline. This project leverages Eckerd’s expertise and student research to generate vital environmental data, inform conservation strategies, and protect the economic and ecological health of the Tampa Bay region. “The health of Tampa Bay and West Florida Shelf waters is integral to economic prosperity and quality of life in Florida’s Thirteenth District. A recent report from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program indicates that 1 in 10 jobs in the Tampa Bay Region are dependent on the local waters. From tourism to shipping and commercial fishing, we rely heavily on this resource. Furthermore, the beaches and coastal waters of the barrier islands are high in recreational value to local residents. Eckerd College, a liberal arts and sciences institution in St. Petersburg, offers one of the finest undergraduate marine science programs in the United States. Since the establishment of the marine science major in 1985, research and research training in marine science has been a hallmark of Eckerd. From the beginning of their college experience, Eckerd undergraduates can collaborate with faculty on applied scientific research. Eckerd’s focus on faculty-student collaboration has facilitated our students receiving 115 NOAA Hollings Scholarships, as well as numerous Goldwater, Fulbright, and NSF Graduate Fellowships. Students receiving these research training opportunities are more likely to attend graduate school, pursue careers in marine science, and contribute significantly to the field. Clearly, undergraduate student researchers have been and will continue to be integral to the success of monitoring efforts at Eckerd College.”
Project Name: South Cross Bayou Reclaim Water High Service Pump Station Improvements
Requested Amount: $5,000,000
Intended Recipient: Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners
Project location: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756
Explanation of the request: The project request is for construction dollars to upgrade the existing Reclaimed Water High Service Pump Station (RCW HSPS) at the South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (SCBAWRF) in St. Petersburg, FL. SCBAWRF currently is permitted for 33 million gallons per day (MGD), based on an annual average daily flow (AADF). The RCW HSPS is primarily used to serve the South County’s public access reuse system, while also providing critical reclaim water for various plant process needs. The treated effluent/reclaim water is stored in three (3) onsite, 6-million gallon RCW ground storage tanks (GSTs). The RCW HSPS pumps the reclaim water from the GSTs, to meet the plant’s process needs and the public access reuse distribution system demands. The RCW HSPS is over 30 years old, has reached the end of its useful service life, and struggles maintaining the standard levels of pressure in the distribution system. Improvements are needed to replace the mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation and control components, bringing the pump station up to current standards while also increasing the pumping capacity to meet future demands. In addition, improvements are needed to address flood mitigation and storm surge resiliency considerations to protect critical electrical assets. This facility wasamong the most impacted by the 2024 hurricanes (Helene and Milton). The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides protection of critical electrical components from flood and storm surge events. These improvements will also provide the ability to meet future demands while maintaining levels of service set by Pinellas County.
Project Name: St. Petersburg Police Public Safety Vehicles
Requested Amount: $960,000
Intended Recipient: City of St. Petersburg
Project location: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Explanation of the request: The City of St. Petersburg has provided take-home vehicles (THV) to eligible sworn officers for several years to remain competitive with other large regional law enforcement agencies while enhancing responsiveness. The City has utilized Penny for Pinellas funds to incrementally grow the take-home fleet; however, the need is outpacing current budgetary plans. This request for 16 new Ford Explorer SUVs is aimed at increasing their take-home vehicle fleet to enhance job satisfaction and create immediate access to a police vehicle for quicker response times in emergencies. The St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) will aim to purchase hybrid vehicles when available to ensure valuable environmental stewardship. Despite, the higher initial costs, these vehicles are more cost-effective in the long term due to lower maintenance expenses. By implementing this strategy and adding 16 vehicles to our existing fleet, SPPD aims to improve operational efficiency and help to respond quickly to various areas within the three police districts. This setup is particularly beneficial during shift changes, ensuring a seamless transition and continuous coverage for community safety. For the community, the presence of marked vehicles in neighborhoods acts as a powerful crime deterrent, promoting a sense of security among residents. Providing take-home vehicles not only strengthens the bond between law enforcement and the community by showing officers’ commitment to public safety. Officers assigned to a specific vehicle take responsibility for its upkeep, ensuring it remains clean and well-maintained. The COPS Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) funds grants to State, local, Tribal, territorial, and other entities to develop and acquire effective equipment, technologies, and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime. The goal of the program is to increase the community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts of law enforcement agencies. This project meets the federal nexus of the by directly purchasing equipment for the St. Petersburg Police Department to more effectively carry out their public safety duties. This request for 15 new SUVs is aimed at increasing our take-home vehicle fleet to enhance job satisfaction and create immediate access to a police vehicle for quicker response times in emergencies. For the community, the presence of marked vehicles in neighborhoods acts as a powerful crime deterrent, promoting a sense of security among residents. Providing take-home vehicles not only strengthens the bond between law enforcement and the community by showing officers’ commitment to public safety.
FY-25:
Project Name: Bartlett Lake/Salt Creek Pump Station
Requested Amount: $9,000,000
Intended Recipient: City of St. Petersburg
Project location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg FL, 33701.
The funding would be used for the construction of a new master lift station to increase stormwater conveyance. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will increase stormwater outflows in this area which has been subject to routine flooding due to tidal concerns and stormwater runoff.
Project Name: Clearwater North Beach Stormwater Improvement Project
Requested Amount: $7,500,000
Intended Recipient: City of Clearwater
Project location: Clearwater, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 100 S Myrtle Avenue Clearwater, FL 33756.
The funding would be used for the improvement of the North Beach Stormwater System which will prevent repetitive flooding in this area of the city, enhance emergency response during severe storms, and prevent the flow of effluent from the overwhelmed stormwater system into the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding waterways. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it protects the natural waters surrounding Clearwater Beach, Florida, provides for public safety by preventing repetitive flooding in the area which includes homes insured by the National Flood Insurance Program, and enhances safety by improving emergency response by fire and police during severe storms and natural disasters.
Project Name: Lafayette Sewer Lining and Manhole Rehabilitation Project
Requested Amount: $800,000
Intended Recipient: City of Oldsmar
Project location: Oldsmar, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 100 State Street W, Oldsmar, Fl 34677.
The funding would be used for rehabilitating aging infrastructure and preventing potential sewage leaks. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it is a sanitary sewer rehabilitation initiative aimed at enhancing the efficiency and longevity of the collection system’s infrastructure that is in a low-lying area adjacent to Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is an ecologically sensitive area, and any contamination from a malfunctioning sewer system could have significant consequences for the surrounding environment, marine life, and public health. By rehabilitating critical components of the sewer system, the project helps to mitigate these risks and protect the delicate ecosystem of Tampa Bay, ensuring its long-term health and sustainability.
Project Name: City of Treasure Island Wastewater Collection System Lining Project
Requested Amount: $1,200,000
Intended Recipient: City of Treasure Island
Project location: Treasure Island, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 10451 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island, FL 33706.
The funding would be used to line the existing wastewater collection system. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because lining the wastewater collection system extends the life of the pipe by 50 years, providing both an immediate and long-term benefit to the community. Lining the existing wastewater system would prevent unnecessary and/or excessive liquids from entering the wastewater collection system thereby decreasing the amount of wastewater sent to St. Petersburg for treatment. This decrease would directly result in a reduction in overall costs for treatment (reduced volume and elimination of unnecessary treatments) while also preventing unnecessary strain on the system that during major storms can cause backups and/or system failures.
Project Name: St. Petersburg Police Department Take Home Vehicles
Requested Amount: $900,000
Intended Recipient: City of St. Petersburg
Project location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 175 5th St N, St. Petersburg, FL.
The funding would be used for the purchase of police vehicles. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because of the need for critical emergency and public safety assets. Taxpayers have a rightful expectation of immediate response as an essential component of effective public safety, and this project supports that goal. Offering take home vehicles not only boosts the recruitment and retention of qualified officers but also ensures vehicles are better maintained, reducing long-term costs. This approach not only elevates service quality to the community but also exemplifies fiscal responsibility, maximizing the value received from taxpayer contributions by lowering overall operational expenses.
Project Name: Semiconductor, Mechatronics, Automation and Robotics Training for Technicians (SMART Tech) High-Tech Industry 4.0 Lab
Requested Amount: $4,000,000
Intended Recipient: St. Petersburg College
Project location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 6605 5th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710.
The funding will be used to address the widening gap between available manufacturing jobs and individuals with the skills to fill them. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it will expand advanced manufacturing workforce training, empower individuals with stackable technical credentials and concentrated skills, address high technology businesses’ unmet skills needs, repurpose existing industrial facilities, and reinvest in a part of south St. Petersburg which historically includes higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment.
FY-24:
Project Name: City of Gulfport Sanitary Sewer Repairs
Requested Amount: $2,545,457
Intended Recipient: City of Gulfport
Project location: Gulfport, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: 2401 53rd St. S., Gulfport, FL 3707.
This project aims to rehabilitate up to 32,000 linear feet of sewer main to eliminate ground and storm water from being introduced into the sanitary sewer system. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it improves efficiency by conveying wastewater away and prevents sanitary sewer overflows into the Boca Ciega Bay during wet weather events. This will help fight against the problem of red tide in our communities.
Project Name: Pinellas County Erosion Control Project Sand Key Segment
Requested Amount: $900,000
Intended Recipient: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Project location: Pinellas County, Florida
Full Street Address of Intended Recipient: Along Gulf Blvd
The Project consists of funding to design renourishment of approximately 9 miles of critically eroded shoreline within the 14.2-mile Federal Pinellas County Shore Protection Project at Sand Key. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides storm damage reduction protection to upland public and private infrastructure, supports tourism in Pinellas County, and provides nesting habitat for the threatened loggerhead sea turtle.