- April 25, 2024
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Flagler County’s legal department will make history in one of two ways: It will either bring the first eminent domain suit in the county’s history, or it will convince every single property owner along the 2.6-mile proposed beach renourishment project area to cooperate with the planned Army Corps of Engineers beach project.
"I think it's reinforced the confidence that the Army Corps of Engineers has in our efforts — our local efforts, all of our combined energies — to make this project work."
— AL HADEED, county attorney
There’s now just one property owner who hasn’t signed an easement that would allow the Army Corps’ staff to access her land to shore up the beach dune. That owner owns two parcels.
“Hopefully, they’ll reach out and we’ll be able to address all their concerns, and we can move forward without having to create any more history than we have to,” County Attorney Al Hadeed said in a presentation to the Flagler Beach City Commission on Feb. 24.
Hadeed was speaking to commissioners to update them on the status of the planned dune project, which would cover 2.6 miles in the city, from Seventh Street South to 28th Street South, adding sand to support a protective dune that would help prevent storm surge from flooding State Road A1A and the areas west of it during nor’easters and hurricanes.
If all goes well, the Army Corps of Engineers will begin construction next spring. But the Corps of Engineers wants to have access to every property in the project area before beginning construction, since any area that isn’t shored up could become a breach point undermining the entirety of the $25 million effort.
The latest signature the county received is a milestone, Hadeed said.
“I think it’s reinforced the confidence that the Army Corps of Engineers has in our efforts — our local efforts, all of our combined energies — to make this project work,” Hadeed said.
Flagler Beach Mayor Suzie Johnston said she was thrilled that the property owner, Leonard Surles, had come to an agreement with the county.
“You know, they say it takes a village, and this little tiny village of Flagler Beach is thrilled to have Mr. Surles sign,” she said. “... And hopefully, the last owner will have some more confidence in the Army Corps, with having Mr. Surles on board, and if they have any questions, reach out to any of us and we are happy to help them.”
The county has prepared for an eminent domain suit against the one remaining owner, but is still willing to speak with her to address her concerns.
“We are very open to discussing whatever those issues are, and will go to the ends of the earth to get those concerns addressed,” Hadeed said. “Hopefully, they’ll realize that the better good, the better good for the community, is to allow this project to get underway.”
City Commissioner Jane Mealy credited the county's productive working relationship with the Corps of Engineers for the corps' interest in participating in another planned renourishment project in the area, north of the 2.6-mile project zone.
"I think if they didn't like working with you, with us, they wouldn't have offered that," she said.
"There are definite benefits to good intergovernmental cooperation," Hadeed replied.
