Beach restoration remains on schedule for Hillsboro Beach

From: the Adler Network, inc.
Published: Tue Aug 04 2009


The enormous importance of beach sand to protect Florida’s coastal properties and one of its top economic sectors, tourism, is essential. In addition, full- and part-time residents enjoy the water, particular those living on the ocean or close to it.

New technologies are being tried all over the state to keep sand on its beaches. One example relates to the planned beach restoration project in Hillsboro Beach in South Florida. Officials of the quaint seaside town had EcoShore Int’l, Inc., a coastal engineering company in Boca Raton, install a series of independent, permeable, PVC drain tubes called PEMs — pressure equalizing modules — that are designed to reduce water pressure and prevent waves from taking as much sand out to the ocean as they normally do. In February 2008, the PEMS were installed vertically into the shore.

According to Ecoshore’s Kenneth Christensen, though PEM technology is new to the United States, it has been used successfully in other parts of the world. Its first installation in this country took place in Hillsboro Beach. "The installation was completed quickly and ahead of schedule thanks to fantastic moral support and practical assistance from the town’s management and commissioners as well as EcoShore’s own consultant and flexible subcontractors," Christensen remarked.

Christensen also said that two reports – one from Ecoshore and another from the town’s consultant, CEC – concluded after 12 months that Hillsboro Beach has benefited from the PEM installation. Focused on scientific matters, the CEC report indicated that where sand used to disappear from the area due to erosion, there has been a gain in sand. ‘This is a very positive result so far – that we’ve prevented sand from deteriorating," Christensen said. "Furthermore, our own report included a financial comparison showing that, in the PEM area, the town received sand at less than a third of the ordinary price for trucked-in sand."

The Town of Hillsboro Beach plans to conduct a major renourishment project and has already applied to state and federal governments for permits. Commissioner Tom Puleri anticipates that they will be granted by the end of 2009. "If that is the case, the restoration can begin in January 2010. From that point, the work should take about 30 days," noted Commissioner Puleri, who added that periodic renourishment is done every 8 to 10 years.

What does this mean to residents of waterfront properties in Hillsboro Beach, such as the new 1200 Hillsboro Mile? "They can look forward to enjoying a beach that will stretch approximately 40 yards farther eastward toward the Atlantic," said Vic Martucci, vice president of 1200 Hillsboro Mile LLC, developer of the only new luxury condominium project situated along the prestigious, residential "Mile."

Martucci, who is also vice president of land and acquisitions for the parent company, West Seneca, New York-based Marrano/Marc Equity Corporation, explained that the purpose of the town’s renourishment project is to improve areas that were damaged with erosion during the unusually active hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 and a tropical storm in 2007. "Renourishment will restore the highly valuable beach and dune system in this portion of Broward County and provide a natural buffer from storms to the upland residential structures. Additionally, this multi-million-dollar effort will enhance the recreational values of the shoreline."

1200 Hillsboro Mile’s completed Intracoastal building features 11 residences and is partially occupied. Residents have private, deeded access to the beach directly across the street on the ocean side, where a second building by the developer, featuring 18 residences, is planned. Sales of these condominiums are underway.

"People love living on the water. We’re seeing a lot of interest for 1200 Hillsboro Mile from people out of the area seeking a vacation home, as well as from locals looking to relocated from their existing single-family home or older condominium into something fresh and new along the coast. Long-term investors, too, recognize the desirability of owning coastal property," he concluded.

At 1200 Hillsboro Mile, there are two three-bedroom, two and one-half bath floor plan options with than 2,000 total square feet and large, covered terraces. Prices start at $599,900, and monthly homeowners fees are very reasonable compared to those in full-service buildings, Martucci said.

Residents enjoy an inviting, designer-furnished lobby; media/social room with entertainment deck; fitness center; pool and pool house; dock on the Intracoastal for overnight visitors’ crafts; and private, deeded beach access.

"The prices at 1200 Hillsboro Mile present the kind of opportunity that people will look back on a year from now and say ‘I wish I had bought when the prices were so low,’" Martucci pointed out. "Plus, we have secured access to financing for qualified buyers who want it."

For more information, call Sales Manager Karen Anderson at (954) 418-8033, or visit www.1200hillsboromile.com.

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