- May 3, 2024
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In October 2005, Palm Coast residents voted not to borrow funds or issue bonds for the construction of Palm Coast City Hall by a margin of 82% to 17%. As a co-chairman and member of a bipartisan committee opposed to the construction, I spoke against, campaigned and contributed time and money for the defeat of this proposal.
The proposed City Hall was ill-conceived, extravagant and arrogant. The final exterior and council chamber plans were never fully designed, and the land it was to be built upon carried the perception of a backroom deal developed for the benefit of a privileged few. The project was as a whole carried a luxuriant price tag of $20 million. But as bad as this project was, the referendum we defeated was never intended to be referendum against all city halls. It was a referendum for this City Hall alone.
The 2005 vote engaged barely 29% of the electorate. Fully 71% of the population registered no opinion. Eight years and 20,000 more voters later, it would be foolhardy to believe that those few voters in 2005 had the authority to evermore determine the will of Palm Coast residents. Those that quote the results of this referendum as evidence of the righteousness of their positions do so on a foundation of sand. The 2005 vote is consigned to the events of 2005, it is not writ in the book of Everlasting Truths.
Palm Coast needs a City hall. We need a place of pride where we, as citizens, can point and say, “This is our city.” We need a place of respect, a place to gather and discuss, a place to instill the seriousness of decisions and honor the value of democracy. We need a place for citizens to petition their governments and seek redress against injustice. We do not need a City Hall in a strip mall storefront as if we are ashamed or inadequate in our abilities to project the greatness of our beliefs in ourselves, our city or our country.
Yet, I still gather with those who would stand against frivolous expenditures or ill-conceived agreements that bear a perception of privilege. I do not want my City Hall located on the back end of a cul-de-sac in barely accessible southern end of the city. City Hall should be at the center of the city, prevalent, accessible and easily found by all who would do business or seek its government. If prior agreements of other councils demand land use, build a community center in its place. Such a facility would serve better purpose in a park setting and resolve an issue that itself is lacking.
We need a City Hall, but we don't need to spend $10 million when $5 million will do. Let's look at what is available, seriously look. Let's put City Hall at Palm Coast's core. With land and building prices rising, we may never have this opportunity again. Let's forsake whims and wants and, this time, openly make a decision based on the needs and desires of the citizens of Palm Coast.
Douglas Courtney was the first city clerk in Palm Coast and is a former small county state chairman for Florida Democratic Party.
