There was a time when every year for 10 years, Palm Coast had the money to pave 50 miles of roads in its 550-mile web. It did so with its share of revenue from a voter-approved county sales surtax. That tax expired in 2012, and was replaced with one that shifted more money to the county, and less to Palm Coast. The quality of the city’s roads have slowly declined since, and successive city councils have put them on the back burner, adopting band-aid measures that at best maintain street-quality levels rather than improve them.
That’s what the Palm Coast City Council did on Tuesday. It approved a diminutive $1 million plan to “microsurface” 29 neighborhood roads or cul de sacs. (The more formal approval is to come next week.) Microsrufacing is not traditional paving. It’s more like a tooth sealant, but for roads: cavities aren’t fixed. They’re covered up. Microsurfacing seals a road in a slurry of asphalt emulsion, very small crushed rock and chemicals, initially giving the impression of a resurfacing job that isn’t really anything of the sort. Microsurfacing maintains the road’s quality for a while, though for how long is uncertain, especially if trucks trundle all over it.
The list of 19 roads approved for that approach tries to avoid areas where construction at infill lots is ongoing or expected: trucks will demolish the microsurfacing jobs. So many roads that need help will not get it. (You can see the list of approved roads below.) Once the microsurfacing is applied, the city will subsequently re-scan the roads periodically to analyze how well they are holding up, if they are, or decide whether the microsurfacing may not be as useful as hoped.
The council also nodded approval for spending $2.73 million-a-year plan to pave arterial roads like Rymfire Dive, segments of Pine Lakes Parkway, and the increasingly third-worldish Royal Palms Parkway, from Belle Terre Parkway to Town Center (those would be done this year), then Palm Coast Parkway (next year) and Belle Terre Parkway north of Palm Coast Parkway the year after that. That paving would be the real thing, not the microsurfacing make-believe.
The combined revenue for the neighborhood road “microsurfacing” and for the arterial roads is from the city’s share of the county’s fuel tax and the city’s share of what remains of the sales surtax.
Palm Coast’s neighborhood roads were once the envy of most cities in the state. Why has the city gone cheapskate on its roads? Because all is not well in the city’s general fund. When council members choose to bring the tax rate back to “rollback,” it takes a toll. When they did that last year, it took a projected and recurring $2.7 million out of the budget that could have gone, at least in part, to road resurfacing. Council members’ pandering to taxpayers, or grandstanding on the grave of fiscal responsibility, has its cost.
Last year city staff, and particularly Carl Cote, the city’s stormwater and engineering director, told the Palm Coast City Council in no uncertain terms that the city faced a $52 million road-repair bill, not including a $5.6 million deficit in required local match for state-funded projects on state roads. This week, Cote told the council that the city faces a “$10 million annual funding shortfall.” Cote tends to keep a poker face on, but he still wears his patience deficit on his sleeves: he doesn’t like to see his city’s infrastructure crumble on his watch. That’s what the current council is allowing, while hiding the fact behind high-profile triumphs (using different pots of money) like gorgeous the Southern Recreation Center.
“With these factors, the recommendation for arterial and collector roadways is to utilize milling and resurfacing only where full depth repair were needed with a budget to maintain a 73 PCI over the upcoming five year outlook,” Cote said. “For local residential roadways the plan would introduce global treatments with any surplus funds for maintaining arterial network utilizing global treatments where possible.” PCI refers to the Pavement Condition Index of a road, on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the best. The PCI average on arterial roads four years ago was 79. It is now 73. Residential roads had a PCI of 74 in 2017. That dropped to 70 in 2021. It continues to drop.
Cote’s reference to “global treatments” was the euphemism for “microsurfacing,” itself a euphemism for that sealant approach that costs a fraction of what traditional milling and resurfacing does.
“So the recent projection for the streets improvement fund averages roughly $3.7 million a year over the next five years,” Cote said. “The city has deferred certain items and increased the fund allocation to assist in adding funding to the pavement management program. However, there’s not nearly the funding needed, it is also not sustainable,” especially as traffic increases and roads get older, “which will require additional funding.”
Deferred items mean projects the city is not carrying out. Those include new sidewalks, median beautification, and neighborhood signs.
Council members took Cote’s presentation as a positive. “I think it’s pretty awesome that we as a council decided we were going to dedicate funds and with those funds, we’re going to be able to address 29 roads,” Council member Theresa Pontieri said. The usually more analytical and discerning council member was giving the presentation a microsurfacing treatment of her own. “That’s I think that’s pretty good accomplishment.” But she encouraged her colleagues in the coming budget season to work hard to find more money for neighborhood roads.
“I’m just thankful to the staff for being able to come up with these alternative solutions and provide, a little bit of resurfacing to multiple roads like that,” Council member Nick Klufas said.
Friday, the city issued an equally happy-faced release stating that Palm Coast government “unveiled its plan for road maintenance over the next five years, following extensive collaboration with Transmap, a leading provider of support services to the transportation industry. The plan prioritizes critical aspects of roadway upkeep while maintaining fiscal responsibility” and describing the microsurfacing as “delivering a refreshed, smooth surface.” That’s true–at least for a while. But the release acknowledged “a substantial yearly deficit of over $4 million for pavement management, highlighting the need for careful resource allocation.” The figure was less than half the one Cote had mentioned to the council.
The list of neighborhood roads slated for microsurfacing in 2024 is as follows:
Bannbury Lane
Banner Lane
Barley Lane
Fairchild Lane
Fairhill Lane
Lamar Lane
Lamoyne Lane
Langdon Drive
Lansing Lane
Pilgrim Drive
Pillar Lane
Pillory Lane
Plainview Drive
Plateau Lane
Plateau Place
Pleasant Lane
Plum Tree Place
Porpoise Lane
Porwyn Lane
Ranch Way
Ranshire Lane
Ranwood Lane
Rivera Lane
Riverina Drive
Riviere Lane
Woodhollow Lane
Woodholme Lane
Woodward Lane
Woodworth Drive
No. No says
$10 million short fall,but on the positive side we have tennis and pickel ball courts for just $12.7 million. Who needs stupid roads.
Spotlight on the City of Palm Coast says
Don’t forget, construction is currently ongoing to “renovate” the fiasco Holland Park AGAIN. (So we’re still paying for Melissa Holland forcing this fiasco project). $5 million and counting.
From the City’s update February 14, 2024:
The surface material and concrete have been removed, and contractors are replacing drains and piping. New concrete installation is set to be poured in March, with the project completion targeted for this summer.
Denise Bevan, City Manager:
BS in Ecology from Jacksonville State University in Alabama. That doesn’t qualify her to run a city. She should have (at least) a degree in public administration or business administration.
Lauren Johnston, Assistant City Manager: Started as a summer camp counselor. She oversaw the fiasco called Holland Park. Signed off on the fiasco. Six weeks later Holland Park was closed. At least $5 million of taxpayer money down the tubes. Does she have ANY education? What’s she getting paid?
Jason DeLorenzo, a realtor: City of Palm Coast Chief of Staff. Nothing more than a high school education. What’s he getting paid?
$5 million lost to the fiasco Holland Park fiasco, and more money being thrown at it as we speak (see above).
$? lost to the tennis center which few use and which can’t sustain itself.
$200,000 a year for Denise Bevan, City “Manager”. $400 a month car allowance.
$ ? for Lauren Johnston, Assistant City “Manager” (claim to fame Holland Park fiasco).
$? Jason DeLorenzo, a realtor. No other qualifications.
THAT’S why there’s no money to repair the roads.
None of the 3 people mentioned above are qualified for their highly paid city positions.
We can’t afford to repave the roads because we have to repair Holland Park AGAIN.
Plus the tennis center that can’t sustain itself financially.
Pickle Ball courts few will use. (Melissa Holland started that too). How does pickle ball sustain itself?
Close to $500,000 a year in salary and perks for Bevan, Lauren Johnston & DeLorenzo.
whiplash says
A total lack of qualifications! Instead of taking care of the city infrastructure they, both administrators and city council, pat themselves on the back for building “recreation centers” that will just lose money!
Time for them all to be replaced!!
Over It says
Its time to fire all three of the people you mentioned. All unqualified to say the least. City Council please remove them now and lets get a reset citywide.
Derrick Redder says
BOOM
MIKE DROP!
FlaPharmTech says
And I earn $16.50 per hour as a Registered Pharmacy Technician. Perhaps our government employees should be required to renew their “license” every 2 years to ensure they’re competent and qualified to run a city.
I’m so disappointed and disgusted by this town. Only lived here 7.5 years and want to move already. Palatka does a better job…Palatka!!!!
Kathy Donadio says
I live on Braddock Lane and my road needs repairing. Why is money being wasted on more recreational projects that probably wont be used than on roads that are safety issues.
David Schaefer says
What a bunch of B.S. You can blame Alfin for this one.
Retired Steamroller big belly Bob says
Micro-surfacing is used by Bunnell who has been using since 2017.
It has allowed Bunnell to resurface more miles of streets than they could have afford.
In fact the micro-surface process was so successful in Bunnell that the City of Flagler Beach paved the whole City In 2018.
To say that this is a cheap sealant is incorrect. It not that crap the pour on parking lots.
It’s a very dense material that performs well. Now understanding that microsurfacing is not for every street but hey what do I know haha,
I do know Palm Coast has a roads report that makes the decisions on what should be milled and paved, overlayed or good Ole microsurfacing.
Anyway, we’ll finally get more done for less. By the way there is a road just over the line in Volusia County off Old Kings that nearly 14 years old and looks better than some roads recently milled and paved.
Thanks Palm Coast council for really trying to save us some money this time!
Concerned says
FYI the entire city of Flagler Beach was not repaved in 2018, we were all still repairing our flooded homes. We would have noticed.
Big belly Bob says
Ok so il left a few streets off. Ask City Hall you’ll be surprised as how many were done. BTW you couldn’t pave much with the budget you did have micro surfacing save the City’s ass.
Pay more attention next and sell your house if you don’t want flooding.
You go paved says
You live in FB we don’t a complainer throwing his two cents in the bs. Micro-surfacing works call your city hall and check your streets out. At least you got paved even if you can’t appreciate it.
palm coast voter says
$5 million for park improvements named after the former mayor’s father, $13.7 million for pickle-ball and tennis complex that less than 10 percent of residence will use, $200,000. + salaries for attorneys and top staff members with higher salaries every year ,etc. but no money for roads or the untold millions it will cost to bring the utilities system to a point it can serve this growing community. I wish someone up there had the guts to stop reacting to Danko’s 100 supporters and a very small minority that always call for lower taxes instead of a beautiful community call to adopt roll back rates instead of making tough (and maybe unpopular) decision to keep the city infrastructure functioning properly.
Palm Coast becomes more like D.C. the larger we get. What a shame. Voting to become a city has not worked out like I thought since the original city commissioners left office. Can’t pay to maintain current infrastructure but we have Realtor Alfin who wants to grow, grow, grow and build, build build so he and his realtor and developer associates can get rich. If councilman Klufus is quoted correctly ” I’m just thankful to the staff for being able to come up with these alternative solutions and provide, a little bit of resurfacing to multiple roads like that,” than he just lost all of my family’s vote. The majority does not want to live in a city where council members think “to provide a little bit” is a good thing. We need to unincorporate and save the 4 mills we pay in taxes to the city. The county has proved they can not make tough decision and provide a beautiful and safe community for Palm Coast residents prior to 1999 and at a lower tax rate if that is what council thinks we need. So why pay two government bodies to fail at what one government body can fail at cheaper
Land of no turn signals says says
Where does all the millions of dollars go from impact fees on all this over building go?
FlaglerLive says
Transportation impact fees may not be used for road repairs or maintenance, only road expansions: resurfacing, No. New turning lane, extra lane, new road, yes.
Callmeishmael says
And that’s the rub.
It seems this restriction assumes the added wear and degradation of existing roads caused by growth can be paid through the expanded tax base created by that growth. Doesn’t appear to be the case in Palm Coast, but then has it ever been the case anywhere?
Celia Pugliese says
This is our problem and has to be resolved as the county takes too much money from Palmcoasters taxes to the tune in just Ad valorem of 24% Palm Coast to 42% County. This is ridiculous as the reports furthermore shows: “There was a time when every year for 10 years, Palm Coast had the money to pave 50 miles of roads in its 550-mile web. It did so with its share of revenue from a voter-approved county sales surtax. That tax expired in 2012, and was replaced with one that shifted more money to the county, and less to Palm Coast”. This has to stop we are fleeced by the county when it comes to our Palmcoasters tax share with Flagler County.
JimboXYZ says
Plenty of money for infrastructural necessities like pickleball & splash pads though. Pretty much, Holland, Alfin & Save the Planet/Tesla Boy Klufas ? Thought the growth was supposed to pay for all of these amenities. Where are the impact fees ? Meanwhile, the gearhead village idiot neighbor a couple houses over is out in front of their duplex doing burnouts in his big HP Mustang. The same types that park in the swales during the rain & destroy those. Just a question, to date, what roads have Biden’s Build Back Better repaved ? Maybe Seminole Woods Parkway so tha the dump trucks can build more residential from FL-100 to US-1 ? Outside of that, I can tell you that Belle Terre South to FL-100 was repaved under Trump during the pandemic shutdown, as was Old King’s Road North of FL-100. I guess we can thank Biden for the potholes that were filled as duplexes were built in the residentials. The Council can approve new residential & commercial construction to over utilize & fill lots with dirt to create flooding issues for existing home owners.
What about the $ 31 million for the West of US-1 at Matanzas Woods Parkway. Those will go to “nowhere” as the article so aptly phrased it.
https://flaglerlive.com/palm-coast-clears-way-for-31-million-connector-to-loop-road-through-vacant-west-of-the-city-with-a-warning-to-fpl
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
Why don’t you ask your Congressional Representative Waltz and your illustrious Senators Rubio and Scott why they keep Voting against bills that would help all Floridians especially Palm Coasters?? Then ask them when they actually bring some money here why their acting like a hero when they Voted against the same money. President Biden is not going to bring that money here yet he worked to get the legislation passed, meanwhile you’re barking up the wrong tree. Oh, the new higher speed internet for all of the county you can thank President Biden, the new 95/U.S. 1 interchange improvement that Duhsantis gushed about you can thank President Biden too.
Mike says
The high price of gas and groceries you can thank him for that too. Come on man.
Tony says
It’s only high priced in Palm Coast. Everywhere else it’s 20 cents cheaper. Can’t wait for BJ’s
Celia Pugliese says
The high price gouge of gas that resulted in inflation increase in our food and all that keeps oil barons on gouging and not current POTUS fault. The oil tycoons and their political manipulations that is the reason. Or our POTUS let them pollute our environment, or they gouge us over non satisfied greed.
So lets leave our current POTUS off the blame.
Nocomeon says
So Biden works for Palm Coast and FDOT? lmao wake up
Atwp says
What about Squire Ct.
The Sour Kraut says
Roads are not being maintained because Alfin & Co. are spending our money on vanity projects and not collecting appropriate impact fees.
Sam says
Alfin needs to go he has done nothing but negative for PC.
Glenn says
It’s absolutely amazing that PC doesn’t have money to fix roads. Just look at the impact fees alone they collect from all the building going on. Not to mention property values and subsequently, property values at an all time high! There’s truly no excuse for this. We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a payroll and overhead problem.
John Stove says
Microsurfacing is a design mixture of polymer-modified emulsified asphalt, mineral aggregate, mineral filler, water, and other additives proportioned, mixed, and uniformly spread over a properly prepared surface.
The mixture is made by a specialized machine and placed on a continuous basis by mixing the materials simultaneously in a pug mill. Figure 1 shows the process in the microsurfacing machine, which results in a free-flowing composite material spread on the underlying pavement using a spreader box. The mixture’s consistency permits even spreading over the pavement, forming an adhesive bond to the pavement.
It is used as a pavement preservation and maintenance treatment to improve the functional characteristics of the pavement surface and extend its service life.
It can be used on pavements suffering from the following conditions:
Loss of skid resistance
Oxidation
Raveling
Surface permeability
Rut damage
Advantages
Reduces life-cycle cost 25-45% compared to traditional resurfacing methods.
Reduces greenhouse gases by 44% and energy use by 54% or more compared to traditional resurfacing methods.
Reduces raw material by 35% or more compared to traditional resurfacing methods.
Return to traffic within one hour
Adds 6-8 years or more when applied for optimum preservation performance.
I agree with you're guys! says
That great it’s a way of saving our roads for an extended period of time thus opening funds to mill and pave the worst roads.
Now if we can just put one or two less pickle courts in we may have enough money to mill and pave 600 ft of road.
Micro-surfacing is the best way it improves our paving situation!
Greg says
I think the city needs to come clean on the money subject! Could it be that you pissed away millions on the tennis center, that loses money? Could it be because of the splash pad that’s a total wreck? I see a wreck in city leadership. Slowly be surly, the city falls apart. Now you want to spend bjb bucks for a forensic audit. Must be there maybe fraud to be found in this audit?
Alex F. says
Where’s the accountability for the $$$$Thousands the City collected In every single new construction home permit in Impact FEES. Every time a builder pulls a building permit for a house they are paying over $20,000 in fees for impact in Palm Coast. Impact fees are supposed to be use for the impacted areas roads etc. I thought Palm Coast was the fastest growing county in construction ? Where’s the money then ?
Doug says
How is this even possible with all the new house construction and big business? It’s time for an outside independent audit of the cities obvious mismanagement of tax money. That would be money well spent.
Celia Pugliese says
Doug for any new home built and (CO) Certificate of Occupancy given and yearly ad valorem tax collecting on it 24% of it is only received by Palm Coast that has all its roads to be paved and maintained and provide all the services Fire, Sheriff 9 millions extra yearly and public works road mowing , but 42% of it goes to the county and for what? For worst the county on top of it all in 2012″Currently, the annual $4 million revenue from the sales tax is split this way: Palm Coast gets 64 percent, the county gets 29 percent, and the smaller cities get the rest. The plan the county had submitted for the renewal of the sales tax would have reduced Palm Coast’s share to 50 percent and increased the county’s share to 45 percent. Palm Coast’s repeated response over the last few weeks could be reduced to three simple words: no bloody way”. This was passed and city lost revenue to the county that city used for repaving our streets.
TR says
So the city council knows this is like putting a band aid on a wound. What a waste of more money. These council members need to go, I can’t wait for Nov. to get here fast enough. Unfortunately they can still do a lot of damage before they get voted out of office. I have said this before, poor money management on the city councils party. We need a forensic audit IMO.
Come on P.C. says
How are we going to get to the new $15,000,000.00 Recreation center if our road fall apart?
Concerned says
And don’t forget the tourism building they want to build next to the multi million dollar bridge to nowhere.
Dennis C Rathsam says
We are watching in real time the desicration of our city! How can they choose pickelball & tennis over fixing the roads? Does anyone at City Hall have a little brain power left? This situation didnt happen over night! The people we ellected have let us down! All they know is TAX & SPEND! And spend they do….. because its not thier money.
Mark says
Stop with the miles of upkeep on the medians and letting sprinklers run during rain storms for those same plantings. Good to have a nice entry way to the city but after a half mile switch to wildflowers and perennial plantings that take no maintenance. I would think the cost savings between not needing 6 people watch while one plants a bush, the cost to replace miles of plantings every year, less vehicle purchases to maintain parkways, less upkeep of tools and vehicles and so on would be tremendous. The parkways look 90% better than most homes here.
I'll drink that says
I agree with you on the plants in the medians. We still need some beauty around her, however the sprinklers running all the time is the reuse water from the Waste water plant.
That water needs to be put on grass so it purifies the water before going into the ground water or creeks. So in essence that a good thing the City does.
Bill says
I knew alfin was a snake the roads are deploable but we gave Alfin
More more despite all the m I beyond he does have a rhino republican who cares for his walk a thons and races and roads are a disaster corrupt politicians vote the liar out
Bob says
The city is decay! Growing way too fast . They logic is knock down trees put houses up, that’s it! We lived her 12 years and decided to move to a different town that not run by idiots!
Me says
Maybe if the city had less city workers the money would be there. Anytime I’ve seen city workers they are on the phone or 10 of the leaning on shovels. Let’s not forget how many times they work on something and have to do it over and over again.
I could go on but won’t do any good!
Mark says
Exactly, last week I watched 6 workers in two trucks fill in about a 12″ x 12″ pothole. Every other town I’ve lived in 1 to 2 workers with one truck would go around filling in potholes. Not as bad as when they’re doing swales, one guy with backhoe one in the dump truck and a dozen standing around. Think of the money that can be saved here.
T says
Wow millions on plants and trees to look pretty but roads are crap can we see where all money goes
Shark says
Thy have a landscape architect who is clueless. Must have graduated from t-rump university.
Mona says
How about new houses that look like cardboard houses and some duplexes so ugly, that decent architect would be ashamed of them. Who approves them?
Celia Pugliese says
Shameful waste of the overpaid taxes we forced to split with this county, starting with our ad valorem yearly tax in our homes distributed only 24% to the city of Palm Coast and an outrageous 42 % to the county and for what. No wonder we do not have funds to repave our roads because on furthermore (and you are correct Pierre) : “There was a time when every year for 10 years, Palm Coast had the money to pave 50 miles of roads in its 550-mile web. It did so with its share of revenue from a voter-approved county sales surtax. That tax expired in 2012, and was replaced with one that shifted more money to the county, and less to Palm Coast”. Now Palm Coast has no $$ to repave our roads but county has plenty 2,5 millions to waste in fancy round about and other eccentricities. These need a referendum to be voted by us all for a fair ad valorem and surtax distribution with this county!
Robjr says
There is no need for two governments city and county. The city of PC needs to cease and desist. Two governments, citizens paying for duplicate service when one would do.
Too many people in city government are feeding at the trough.
Mike says
Time for a new administration! This proves they aren’t putting the finances where they belong. Maybe check their pockets!
George says
Time they are all fired and lets start with Alfin who is unqualified to be in charge of any town. He has done nothing but brought PC down.
Drive around you will see how the roads aren’t being cared for. Stop voting in these idiots. This is what we get.
Land of no turn signals says says
OK ,then impact fees needs a second look and a rewrite because more people more wear and tear on our roads.It’s just common sense duh.
PB says
There is just one question! What % of eligible voters are registered? Of those registered what % will VOTE? Ok maybe it is 2 questions. However we all know the answer and so do the politicians!!!!
Disgusted says
Corrupt little town we have now. I moved here 24 years ago and PC was nice, pleasant place. City council with there STUPID decisions have ruined PC. WHY, do we need a multi million dollar pickle ball/tennis center? OH that’s right… WE DON’T. I wonder who got kick backs and who made other monies on that. I am ready to sell and leave this once great little place to live.
dave says
All I see is a County and City out of control, caused by neglect, mismanagement and down right shady decisions, for one think city storm drains, lots of standing water after storms and then you have the far out County Govt, ( Capt BBQ) and the biggest waste throwing sand at mother nature at the beaches $$$$$$$$.. Growth causes stupidity and then you have over taxed egos, wasteful spending, will it end, nope, not in our lifetime.
jeffery cortland seib says
Here in Palm Coast, we certainly have a lot to do. Many, if not most of the roadways here were constructed with a lifespan that is about ready to come due. It seems the city finances are not being managed at the level that would provide us with the maintenance that all communities require. The stormwater system is broke. The Utility system, the roads, I guess city personnel salaries are the only element where ‘we’ are not broke. In my neighborhood every day huge, heavy trucks, cement mixers, housing lumber, waste containers, are rumbling over the roads constantly. Next thing I see are the potholes. The city government needs to live within it’s means but a prioritizing of those needs is badly in order. Maybe the people can tell them forcefully that things have got to better. Ane they can be.
Robert B says
Let’s not forget that it is not just the city administration that has failed the citizens of Palm Coast when it comes to priorities – Southern Community Center for $13.7 millions verses re-paving roads or taken care of infrastructure first, like flooding and drainage. The elected officials have also failed us…everyone of them. They no longer exercise judgement in the interest of the community but only in their own self-interest and electability. Any elected position should NEVER be looked upon as a life long career, but as a short time that one can serve their community. Ultimately it is the elected officials that have failed the community – after all City Administration takes its lead from the elected leaders and community. They control the purse strings; they decide how the money is spent. And it doesn’t stop at the local level, either. It is time to stop bitching and moaning and take action at the ballot box and remember who has worked for the community and who has not.
JimboXYZ says
I warned everyone that the Splash Pad was a waste of money, also warned that the Tennis Center expansion for tennis courts & pickileball would be a waste of money too. I said then, you take care of the infrastructure first, roads, roads, roads and that Palm Coast doesn’t have the existing roadways to handle the growth for peak commuting. We’d have close to $18+ milli0on for roads without the $ 5.6M, the litigation & $ 3.1M to make the Splash Pad happen. That’s close to $ 9M right there. The $ 10+ million for pickleball, that’s at one end of Palm Coast, so anyone wanting to play pickleball has to drive from their corner location of Palm Coast. That’s either not happening or it is and the roads are just going to be overutilized peak & non-peak commuting hours.
Here’s why micro-surfacing isn’t going to work. he roads are being worn away from 2 fronts. The surface for heavier equipment to build new construction, residential or commercial. The foundation of the road is the unseen attack from the new construction. Entire lots that used to have wooded areas of trees & Palmetto Bushes that absorbed that water. There’s a concrete foundation where those trees used to be on 50×125 lots. That water has to go somewhere and the road foundation is where it’s going. Am erosion of that foundation is sinking the asphalt and the heavier equipment & trucks on those roads is creating the potholes & stressing the roads to crack. If you go out on Belle Terre South of Palm Coast Parkway, you’ll see that you’ll drive ripples in what was once a smoothly paved road or even over repairs to what was repaved in 2020 for those stress fractures. Royal Palms Parkway, west of Belle Terre needed a pipe from one side to the other replaced & road repaired.
https://flaglerlive.com/royal-palms-parkway-failure/#gsc.tab=0
Anyway, I read Alfin’s name being used a lot in comments, heck he was a 1 & done Mayor if he could’ve been a slam dunk for the FL Legislature position that came open. Wasn’t until that was clear that he wasn’t going to be that guy in Tallahassee, FL that he decided to run for a 2nd term as Mayor of Palm Coast. Klufas, he’s reached term limits (2) for Palm Coast, he’s shifting his aspirations for Flagler County elected positions. He’s was on board with the Splash Pad. Now he wants to be a part of unifying & collaborating City & County as a platform to continue governing the communities in a county seat position. As noble as that spins, sorry Tesla Boy, you’ve done enough that your political career needs to end at 2 terms of service for the City of Palm Coast. I wasn’t in your district for City of Palm Coast elections, but I certainly will not vote for a county elected seat in your behalf. If I ever blew the call on $ 8+ million dollars for a Splash Pad, I would’ve resigned from that city position, rather than try to parlay that for county position. There’s something to be said for knowing when you’re in over your head for expertise. And showing that mistake after mistake that this crew needs to step down, they simply haven’t made any right calls across he board. Too many bridges to nowhere & not enough money to build the destination of a flyover to nowhere.
https://flaglerlive.com/alfin-staying-put/#gsc.tab=0
https://www.palmcoast.gov/council/district3
Duane says
… and yet they spent millions on a pickleball complex.
Let the people of Palm Coasts drive 30 minutes to Pictona at Holly Hill and save the tax payers money for what matters to ALL the taxpayers.
blerbfamilyfive says
Before Palm Coast became a city, it was a service district which was under the jurisdiction of the county. And every year the county engineer and assistant county engineer would travel the county and identify those roads which needed paving/striping but then it had to be cut because there was no funding to cover the expense. But most of those improvements were within the service district.
Jason says
Royal Palms Parkway has a pothole the size of a tire and no room to avoid it because of a concrete bump on a two-lane road to a small bridge over a spillway. During the construction of the Tennis courts, the construction trucks with fill dirt used that road to avoid 100 and BTPKWY congestion. Who is to say that the added traffic from fill dirt activity didn’t contribute to the degradation of the road? So should the overall cost of the New center cover the repair cost of the road? Add that to the capital expense of its construction. The life of the pavement was decreased as a result of that project taking place. There are not even any signs indicating potholes ahead so be cautious. Town Center Road has had similar issues from fill dirt deliveries and COncrete pours for construction. This issue will only increase when they start building on the opposite side of Imagine School. The patchwork done is already coming undone and now the hearing is not going to be fixed any time soon but is a part of a 5-year plan is greatly disturbing. Safety is the main issue and lack of response and funding is concerning.
Frank says
VOTE THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE! They are incompetent and waste our tax money on their own pet projects!