Williams Landing Rehabilitation Project

CDBG Disaster Recovery Infrastructure Repair Grants Program Comments

Leon County, Florida, seeks public comments for a 14-day comment period on potential projects for an application to the Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce) for the Rebuild Florida Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program. With a total allocation of $400,000,000, the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program will be implemented with a minimum award of $750,000 and a maximum award of $100,000,000 in funding for eligible subrecipients.

To learn more, visit the FloridaCommerce Rebuild Florida 2023 and 2024 Storms Infrastructure Repair Program website.

Leon County is submitting an application for Williams Landing Rehabilitation as an infrastructure project that incorporates mitigation measures to address disaster recovery needs as well as increase resiliency to disasters. The application deadline is September 29, 2025. Comments on the project must be made by September 18, 2025. For questions, contact the Leon County Office of Management and Budget at All-OMB@LeonCountyFl.onmicrosoft.com. Leon County, Florida, adheres to EEO, Fair Housing, and ADA standards.

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Background

Situated on the scenic shores of Lake Talquin at 951 Williams Landing Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32310, Williams Landing has long served as a valued recreational asset for residents and visitors of Leon County. Historically, the site operated as a County campground featuring ten designated campsites, a primitive Scout camping area, a shower/restroom facility, and the County’s most heavily used public boat landing. It has been a key destination for outdoor recreation, boating, fishing, and camping, drawing frequent use by families, anglers, and local organizations alike.

Unfortunately, on May 10, 2024, a powerful tornado made a direct landfall at Williams Landing, resulting in extensive destruction to both natural features and essential park infrastructure. The storm caused catastrophic tree loss, structural damage to pavilions, compromised the potable water system, and severely impacted boat launch areas and docks. The damage rendered large portions of the site unusable, posing safety hazards and significantly reducing public access.

Project Purpose

Leon County is seeking $3.9 million from the Florida Department of Commerce, Office of Long-Term Resiliency (OLTR) for the Rebuild Florida Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Infrastructure Repair Program for funding support for the infrastructure activities for this project.

The project also includes mitigation activities as it aims to enhance storm resilience and environmental sustainability to better withstand future severe weather events, preserving the cultural and recreational legacy of Williams Landing for future generations. To achieve these goals, the project will focus on restoring Williams Landing as a safe, accessible, and high-quality public recreation and boating destination by repairing and replacing damaged infrastructure, removing hazardous debris, replacing the seawall, improving overall site functionality for park users and boaters, and upgrading amenities to ensure ADA compliance and alignment with current recreational standards.

Project Scope

The Williams Landing Rehabilitation Project is a comprehensive recovery and mitigation effort aimed at restoring, modernizing, and strengthening this vital public recreation site. The project not only responds to the immediate need for storm recovery but also offers an opportunity to rebuild with long-term resiliency, accessibility, and community value in mind.

The following highlights some of the key elements that have been identified for restoration and mitigation:

Removal of over 100 remaining tree stumps
Replacement of the seawall to prevent additional erosion
Renovation of restroom facilities to restore full functionality and ADA compliance
Replacement of fishing pier and fish cleaning stations
Repair and capping of damaged water lines
Replacement of damaged pavilions
Creation of stabilized boat trailer parking with rock surfacing
Repaving of the public boat ramp
Replacement of the west side public boat dock

These improvements will restore the site for safe public access, boating, and recreational use while also enhancing resiliency for future severe weather events.

Project Objectives

Restore Williams Landing as a safe, accessible, and high-quality public recreation and boating destination.
Repair and replace damaged infrastructure to ensure long-term usability and resiliency.
Remove hazardous debris and improve site functionality for both parkgoers and boating activities.
Upgrade facilities to meet modern safety and accessibility standards.

Conclusion

The rehabilitation of Williams Landing will restore access to a beloved community park that serves thousands of residents and visitors annually. By promoting equitable access to outdoor recreation, the project ensures that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the natural beauty and amenities of the site. Additionally, the improvements will enhance regional resilience to climate-related and storm impacts by strengthening infrastructure and protecting natural features. The project also supports environmental stewardship through erosion control efforts and the replacement of storm-damaged trees, helping to preserve the ecological integrity of the Lake Talquin shoreline.