Lift Station Concerns Stall Central Park Proposal

There is never a good location for a lift station and as this island gets more and more built out, it becomes more and more of an issue.”

Utilities Director Andre Desilet

Adjacent homeowners to Central Park turned out to object to Fernandina Beach's plans to build a new sanitary lift station in the park. The new lift station would replace an existing lift station located between the park's pickleball courts, playground and tennis courts.

The existing lift station emits foul odors that for years have generated complaints from property owners and park users.

"There is never a good location for a lift station and as this island gets more and more built out, it becomes more and more of an issue," said Stormwater Director Andre Desilet.

After numerous public speakers and commissioners debated the merits of a new lift station, commissioners decided to table voting on the funding of the design of the facility.

"I am perfectly willing to take a step back on this and make sure we are making the most informed decision we can on this," Desilet said.

The impetus behind constructing a new lift station at a different Central Park location is being partially driven by plans to build additional courts once the existing lift station is demolished.

"The reason for the move is accomplishing two goals. We're obviously aware of the odor concerns ... (also) that newly available open space there are plans for additional courts," Desilet said. "The planning (for more courts) has to start somewhere. It starts at a staff level when we're coordinating three departments and trying to create these objectives. It can't be all in the public eye all the time. As part of the discussion, those were the considerations."

Homeowners on South 13th Street, adjacent to Central Park, aired their concerns over a new lift station and the impact it would have on property values.

Homeowner Mary Mills related that a real estate agent who sold the house across the street reported the sellers had to disclose that there was a lift station in Central Park.

"(They had to disclose) that there was going to be an improvement and another lift station. I'm going to live in my house forever ... but it is a concern for some people that are selling or buying homes. So, I would like for you to think about that," she said.

Concerns over a new lift station emitting odors would be reduced because of advancements in design and gas venting systems, according to Desilet.

Desilet said the proposed plans were to build the new lift station in the southeast quadrant of the park by a baseball field and west of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts huts.

Homeowner Donna Ferrera argued the new lift station should be built on the footprint of the existing lift station.

"I think you are negatively impacting the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts huts. It is in very close proximity to them. I do still worry about the smell and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts use that property quite a bit," she said.

Joyce Tuten told commissioners the new lift station location was just 100 feet from the scouts' huts.

She also voiced concerns that running underground pipes to the lift station could damage the root systems of nearby oak trees by the huts.

Commissioner Chip Ross asked why the city should just keep the lift station where it is.

"To have a less of a presence in the park. To be in a better location that works better with the park infrastructure," Desilet explained.

Desilet estimated the cost of a new lift station at between $300,000 to $400,000 and retrofitting the existing lift station at about $100,000.

Wendy Lee, another nearby homeowner, also spoke about similar concerns of property values and the odors from the park lift station.

"I think we want to be part of the solution because it definitely affects us on a daily basis. It not only affects us financially, but daily as well," she said.

Desilet said because he was unaware of the outside contractor's commitments he could not provide a timeline of when the commission might revisit funding the lift station design.

"This has been in progress for a while. A little while longer is not going to put us in a worse spot than we are now so let me just, if we're tabling it, we can put it back on the agenda after we have more information," Desilet said.