Centex Destroys Florida Community

[Palm Coast Citizens]

Palm Coast, Florida-
New political action committee brings problems with “fantasy developments” to the forefront. Problems created in its community by the CENTEX Corporation (CTX), whose swift departure has shocked the community. The renovation of the core community asset of the former Harborside Resort & Palm Harbor Golf Course, which was to become the Palm Coast Resort (developed by Centex Destination Properties), has been left a barren wasteland.
Centex had received numerous concessions from the city to allow for the new 8 story condo-hotel buildings. To complete this project the existing property, which was in operation, was demolished. It was the core of the community and contained a marina (with boat launch), restaurants, golf course and other amenities.. The city council approved the project to the dismay of many citizens who had lobbied against it. At public hearings the project was presented as bringing millions in tax revenues, more jobs and a world-class resort to Palm Coast. Centex added a $10 million dollar Jack Nicklaus Design, renovation for the golf course.
The golf course shut down July 5 of last year. Within weeks, Centex sprayed all the grass with herbicide and killed it. Then late last year, Centex demolished the clubhouse and within days shut the project down, pulled their permits and the city returned their impact fees. What is left behind, at the center of this community, is not the 18 hole Jack Nicklaus golf course (still promoted on the Centex web site), but a no-hole thistle patch infested with millions of fire ants. The former hotel site now has one 8-story condo building with a 5-story parking garage. There are no amenities. No Pool. No restaurant. No boat launch. No hotel. No community assets. The promised hotel jobs and tax revenues are non-existent. As stated on Centex advertising material in very fine print,“Our vision for the project continues to evolve, components are subject to change”. On their web site, they continue to mention the “Jack Nicklaus Design” golf course renovation, even as they actively seek a buyer for the project—maybe even the city of Palm Coast!
At a city council meeting a month ago, John Lenihan, President of Centex Destination Properties stated,“We just didn’t see this slowdown coming. It caught us by surprise.” During the same period that Centex was destroying a working golf course they were unloading “over 56%” of their land holdings," according to Bloomberg.com . At the same time, they were ceasing development, selling or leaving behind numerous projects across the country.
James Canfield, Mayor of Palm Coast said of Centex,“I feel that I, as the Mayor, have been deceived! In fact that our City and our City Council has been abused!"
Victor Good, Chairman of the Palm Coast Citizens for Action Committee, a newly organized PAC, states,“It seems our city council was taken for a ride by promises made by the developer without making any assurances that the project would be completed. They have within their legal right to require performance bonds, completion dates with penalties, etc.—especially when they are allowing the complete demolition of the core of the community, the heart of Palm Coast. They need to make sure it will be rebuilt as promised, regardless of economic conditions. They took no such precautions. They dealt with Centex the way they would deal with another human being. Centex is a corporation. It has no heart, no mind, no compassion and no morality. It only has very short-term financial gain as its only consideration. These 'fantasy projects' must stop! Every community in this country needs to make sure a developer can and will complete a project before they demolish an existing and operating core community asset.”
The Palm Coast Citizens for Action Committee has started their own web site at: www.PalmCoastCitizens.com . This site has more information on the community, the project and Centex.

[Richard S]

Victor is my hero! Go get 'em!

[HELLO]

SEE DESERT SUN NEWSPAPER, PALM SPRINGS, CA. BUSINESS SECTION, JUNE 20, PAGE E1, "HOMEOWNERS ALLEGE FRAUD..."