Drea(edison):electricity lines

By Jeremiah Jacobsen, WINK News

Story Created: Mar 23, 2009 at 10:30 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 23, 2009 at 10:30 PM EDT

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - It was a power struggle in Cape Coral Monday night over the future of electricity lines downtown.

Just two weeks ago, the city council approved overhead power lines along SE 47th Terrace; but Monday night, they took it back. Opponent after opponent lined up, urging the council to reconsider what many of them say would be an eyesore.

Citizens expressed concern about safety, property values, but most of all, the ability of downtown Cape Coral to grow.

“We’re not going to be getting any developers coming in, and the downtown area is going to become a ghost town,” said Cape Coral resident Mike Sullivan.

The group in charge of downtown planning, the Community Redevelopment Agency, says underground lines would be better than overhead.

“These power lines would be within one foot of a building. You’d be able to reach out your balcony and touch a power line,” said CRA director John Jacobsen.

LCEC says the need for new lines is critical, as a growing need for electricity creates capacity concerns.

“22,000 in Cape Coral could be without power should something happen on this line,” said LCEC spokesperson Karen Ryan.

LCEC says it would support underground lines, but there’s a big difference in cost; perhaps as much as four million dollars.

“The other issue is the same for all of us. Who’s going to pay?” said Cape Coral city council member Dolores Bertolini.

While LCEC says it could cover the entire cost of overhead lines, the city would have to help pay the extra cost of underground installation. Many say downtown Cape Coral would pay a far higher price with overhead lines by losing future development.

“They’re ugly and we need to look at burying those wires,” Sullivan said.

The council will meet with LCEC, property owners, and the Community Redevelopment Agency on April 13th to see if they can figure out a way to pay for underground power.

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