By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY
This is an aerial photo of ongoing progress at the new office and rectory at San Pablo in Marathon Key. Note the social distance between the workers in the photo.
MIAMI | Some good news during this coronavirus pandemic: Construction continues in the Florida Keys.
“While tourists are not allowed down to the Florida Keys as a result of the virus, healthy construction workers are allowed to continue working on essential projects,” said David Prada, senior director of the archdiocese’s Building and Property Office.
That’s great news for San Pablo Church in Marathon, whose rectory and office are being rebuilt after being damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Prada said the project team had to adapt and be resourceful when they learned the Monroe County building department would be shut down for two weeks, although the department would allow construction work to continue.
Florida Lemark is the builder “and they are using much caution while monitoring workers’ health,” Prada said, noting they even include COVID-19 awareness seminars in each day’s “toolbox talks.”
“Several contractors are ‘locals’ in the Keys and they have commented that continued work for local workers is good for the mind, body, and soul,” Prada said.
He added that the team continues to “work as though it all depends on us, while — more importantly — we pray knowing it all depends on God.”
