This past week was a busy one for the Cape Coral City Council. After public outcry regarding a prior vote by the council to allow high-voltage lines to be strung up along Del Prado and 47th Terrace, the council re-voted to condemn the 75 foot tall transmission lines. The only problem is that the price tag for underground lines is likely to make funding become the real issue.
LCEC, an obvious stakeholder in the power line issue, had originally proposed this routing of new lines from the Everest Parkway substation to the city council back in 2000. They have made clear that the downtown area and adjacent community are in danger of losing power in a storm situation.
The CRA or Community Redevelopment Agency is yet another player in the power line saga, and understandably so. They want to protect the downtown area for vertical construction. Add to that the mixed-use development already planned for 47th Terrace that would go away if above ground lines go in, and their motivations are clear.
While the city and adjacent property owners consider the ramifications, one aspect is quite clear. Our city's budget shortfall will likely not quickly accommodate a project with a $5 million dollar plus price tag.
A scheduled meeting for April 13 will put the downtown CRA, local residents and LCEC back in council chambers to re-approach the issue.
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