2963 1st Avenue S
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Services We Offer
Our Services
We Can Help
Whether you need advice, permitting assistance, or comprehensive design and engineering specialists for your project, call Foster first! Check out our services below, and reach out for information on pricing and availability. Let us keep your shoreline project on target!
Design/ Engineer
Permitting
Before JFC’s design engineers can bring your project to life, we must first establish design parameters based off of State, Federal, County, and local permitting criteria. All projects in Florida’s wetlands and surface waters, from private residential amenities to large scale commercial development, require varying degrees of permitting effort.
JFC’s permitting staff ensure we can design a project that meets or exceeds our client’s objectives and expectations, while minimizing environmental impacts, and meeting the permitting requirements of all jurisdictional regulatory agencies.
The Permitting specialists at JFC share over 15 years of experience coordinating marine construction projects with Florida’s regulatory agencies. They have the expertise needed to navigate the permitting landscape on a wide range of projects all throughout Florida and beyond.
Permitting Services Provided:
- Private consultation to decide whether your project idea is possible within the permitting confines
- Collection of historic site data through aerial imaging archives and permitting file reviews
- Collection of field data to support design plans to make sure the permitting process is a success
- Consulting and holding pre-application meetings with state, federal, and local regulators on behalf of our clients
- Preparation and negotiation of environmental resource permit applications
- Compliance support for “after-the-fact” project scenarios
- Preparation of sovereign submerged lands leases and easement applications, as well as coordinating public interest projects to meet state approval criteria
- Typical projects managed by permitting staff:
- Shoreline stabilization, including seawalls, riprap, living shorelines (commercial and residential)
- Docks and marinas (single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, and municipal projects)
- Dredging (commercial and residential)
- UMAM analysis and mitigation proposals related to the above project types
Inspections
Your seawall and dock are fundamental pieces of your waterfront property, and you want your investment to last. With our inspections, we:
- Make sure your seawall and dock are unaffected by erosion
- Gauge if it’s possible to prevent further damage
- Study the structural integrity of your seawall and dock
Above all else, our inspectors want to make sure you, your family, your residents, and your property are safe.
Our diver-technicians physically inspect your seawall or dock above and below the water level. During the field survey phase, we collect underwater video, study the ground above and below the soil, examine surcharge loads, and alert you if any areas are in critical condition.
Afterwards, we summarize the material in an illustrated report in layman’s terms, because no one should have to use a dictionary to figure out what someone they’re paying is saying! You’ll know all the ins and outs of our findings, and the report can then be used to determine a repair plan, predict future costs, and schedule contractors efficiently.
Borer Worm Damage
Design/ Engineer
We’ve spent years designing around existing infrastructure like pools, trees, storm drains, and utilities. Many of our clients are homeowners, builders and developers dealing with complex circumstances that require an experienced team like Foster Consulting.
For example, when a new residential pool is located close to a seawall, critical engineering issues come into play. The original seawall anchors can be in the way of the new pool, and disrupting them would spell disaster for the wall. Or, when a popular seafood restaurant is built entirely over the water, it’s critical that the piles supporting the building not only meet all code requirements, but also consist of materials that will withstand all elements for years to come.
Our team navigates these issues — and more — while maintaining the integrity of the project and the entire yard—for the long haul. We make sure every project is safe and up-to-code.
Consult
The most important piece of advice we give to our clients is to call Foster first — before starting any waterfront project. We have the experience and know-how to create not only a strategy, but also help you hire the right contractors, use the most sustainable materials, manage the project from start-to-finish, and ensure quality workmanship.
Whether you’re looking to build a pool near a seawall, ensure the safety of your property, or fix a crumbling dock, we’ll create a comprehensive, start-to-finish plan that prioritizes saving time and money.
You work hard for your money–don’t waste it on shoddy investments! Call Foster first.
We Are Ready For 24/7 Emergency Service
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Our Team
Meet With A Professional
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Joseph T. Foster
PE Professional Engineer
Jake Duggan and Nick Nagy
Civil Engineers
Anthony Pidala and Kat Massey
Permitting Team
Testimonials
We're proud to partner with a wide range of residential and commercial clients. This is why we do what we do — your safety is our greatest success.
Bob Humes
Retired President, Apollo Beach Condo
Three factors caused our selection of J Foster to become our ‘go-to’ firm for engineering projects. First, Foster demonstrated a unique collaboration style through listening and communicating that developed into a team mentality between our respective organizations. Second, their critical thinking ability buttressed through their experience with several seawall projects allowed them to dive into our seawall challenge to mold a thoughtful and cost-effective solution. Lastly, J Foster was determined to complete the project within the suspense, while remaining reflective about their work.
Gary Schamburg
CAM Community Manager Americana Cove
Our community faced the complexities of a failed construction project. The problems were serious and no viable options were at hand. After an extensive search, we hired J. Foster Consulting to advise us. It was the best decision we ever made. Joe Foster used a hands-on approach to research, document and provide an innovative and technically superior solution. Lauren Foster guided our board through the difficult task of building consensus with our concerned unit owners. Foster provided a comprehensive approach that far exceeded our expectations. Under their guidance, the project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule and one-half million dollars under the previous budget. Our community was in serious trouble and J. Foster Consulting saved us. If you hire them I am confident it will be the best decision your community could make as well.
Dr. R. Frank Lee
Villages at Stella Maris Master Association. Inc.
Just a note again to say thank you for awesome and very last moment service with our seawall report. I'd be honored to refer out your business to anyone in need of your superb services!!
Daniel Brzycki
I needed a written report on the condition of a seawall and dock for a property I was buying, and I needed it fast. I called Joe, and he came over, spent more than an hour underwater inspecting them carefully, and the next day I had just what I needed, as well as Joe's suggestions for preventive maintenance to extend the useful lives of both. Joe is very knowledgeable and very professional. It is the start of a long-term relationship with Joe for all my marine consulting needs.
Larry Gibbs
Joe Foster of Foster Consulting provided inspection services of our seawall. This inspection required him to definitively locate where the soil was leaking which was causing a sinkhole in our parking lot. Mr. Foster was prompt, professional and gave us clear direction of the course of action we needed to take to seal the leak and thereafter how to repair the parking lot. We would recommend without any reservation Foster Consulting and their lead engineer Joe Foster.
Larry Hurwitz
Chair, Budget/Finance Committee Island Pointe Condominium Association
Mr. Foster provided marine engineering services for the demolition and reconstruction of the Bird Key Yacht Club’s 50 slip marina in Sarasota, Florida. His professionalism was exceptional—knowledgeable, responsive and cost effective. He was particularly effective during the value-engineering process…allowing us to be under budget. I highly recommend Foster Consulting to anyone embarking on a marina project…large or small.
Brian McCarthy
Rear Admiral, SC, USNR Owner’s Representative & Board of Governors Bird Key Yacht Club Sarasota, FL
Ensure the integrity of your waterfront property by calling Foster first!
727-821-1949
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2963 1st Avenue S
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
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In early 2021, we started to see indications that there might be an issue with our seawall. This was a concern for us so, we felt it best to contract with an expert to provide an assessment. This is where our relationship with JFoster started. The assessment was extremely professional and also enlightening to us. The life expectancy and the potential ramifications if there were a catastrophic failure to the seawall, were eye-opening. Our immediate desire was to start the process for delivering a solution and it was extremely important to us to minimize risk. We also want to have trust in the teams that we were to hire. This was the point in time when I believe we made the first important decision. We hired JFoster to come in and assist us. JFoster created a very specific design that all construction companies to be considered would need to comply with. They guided us and managed the bid process and provided insights as to how best to choose the proper company. The choice was up to us but we were armed with information that helped us to make a good choice. We believe that we made a very good choice in choosing Florida Structural Group but that was not the end of our involvement with JFoster. JFoster ensured quality at every significant stage of the construction process and signed off at each stage. They confirmed that everything completed was in compliance with their specification. In the end they provided a document that confirmed the results as positive. During the construction cycle, JFoster worked well with our Constriction team; both sides working to ensure a proper delivery. Our project was completed in Q1 of this year (2022), ahead of schedule. The professionalism, due diligence and technical acumen of JFoster was a significant factor in our success. One of our most important things was to minimize risk and JFoster ensured that. Our trust for their ability and their desire for a quality outcome was gained early on. The project went better than I could have expected and I am grateful that we were able to have JFoster as part of our team. I highly recommend JFoster to anyone in this area who either is in need of a new seawall or is uncertain as to their seawall status.