ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — Hundreds of home and business owners in St. Pete Beach learned Tuesday about a project that will bring construction to their doorsteps for about a year and a half.

St. Pete Beach leaders met with around 80 home and business owners to talk about two projects coming this January to Gulf Boulevard. The first will put existing electrical utilities underground. The second will update the city's aging sewer system.

Currently, the St. Pete Beach sewer system is so old and overloaded that there is a moratorium on any new hotels on Gulf boulevard. The rule has been in place since 2016 and this construction will allow the city to restart developing new hotels.

Starting in January 2020, St. Pete Beach leaders will begin the $24 million project. The electrical undergrounding is being paid for by Penny for Pinellas tax dollars. The new sanitary sewer force main will be paid for with state-involved funding loans.