Throughout the spring and summer of 2016, Stewart Materials successfully supplied custom beach sand to the Town of Longboat Key, Florida, two-months ahead of schedule. This large-scale beach renourishment project once again evidenced the viability of inland-sourced custom beach sand for Florida’s vast and growing renourishment needs.
It also highlighted the benefits of planning, communication and cooperation between Stewart Materials, LLC, material delivery contractors, municipal and community leaders, as well as professional environmental agencies and interests. Early in the project, Longboat Key Town Manager Dave Bullock noted one advantage of inland sourced sand is SMI’s ability to control color and grain size of its custom sands. “We test it every couple of loads. Grain size is important. If it’s too fine it washes away; too coarse, it’s not pleasant to be on the beach.” Commenting at the project’s close, Bullock said, “The Town is extremely pleased with the sand Stewart Materials supplied. It meets our specification fully. It looks and feels great.”
Speaking of the project Stewart Materials’ Founder Nick Stewart repeated his long-held stance, “The need for beach renourishment and restoration is predictable and ongoing. I honestly believe Stewart Materials has the long-term solution to this uniquely Florida problem.” He continued, “Our entire team is focused on proving it one project at a time.”
The Town of Longboat Key project brought the tonnage to 1.2 million tons of sand SMI has supplied to municipalities on both Florida coasts in little less than three years.
