- April 26, 2024
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The St. Johns River Water Management District recently indicated to the city of Palm Coast that it will not be able to contribute funding for the next phase of the Coquina Coast Desalination Project. With Leesburg also withdrawing from the project, Palm Coast will likely have to withdraw, as well, according to Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon.
There were 11 original partners when the multi-billion-dollar, 20-year project was first conceived in 2008 as a way to address projected drinking-water shortages. But population growth has slowed, and Landon said it’s not a high priority for municipalities now because energies have been focused on economic development — short-term issues, rather than long-term issues.
And so, when Phase 2A of the engineering is completed this fall, Landon said, the city will likely not be in a position to continue funding the project.
Desalination isn’t the only project on hold because of the slow in population growth and property value decreases.
The Old Kings Road North four-lane project was scheduled to be completed by now, but it has not made any progress. The funds were supposed to come from a special taxing district in which the property owners use their properties as collateral, but Landon said the bond market doesn’t support that plan right now.
Also, Walmart is showing no signs of building its new store on Old Kings. Plans for a water-treatment plant also have been shelved.
— Andrew O’Brien contributed to this story.
