by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
The St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors heard about Putnam County at its monthly luncheon at Marsh Creek Country Club as Linda Myers, a Putnam County commissioner, was the speaker.
Myers said there were a lot of improvements needed in the county, so in 2002 the commission surveyed the residents to see exactly what they wanted to improve their community.
From that, The Better Place Plan was born.
“We have 1,200 miles of dirt roads and 400 miles of paved roads,” said Myers. “They wanted community centers, senior centers and parks. Even though we have 400 miles of paved roads, those roads need to be re-paved, so we are working on that as well.”
The Putnam County Web site describes The Better Place Plan as a comprehensive long-range and strategic planning initiative that will “improve the appearance and safety of their neighborhoods, encourage smart economic development, improve roads and drainage, improve our recreation areas and build quality public facilities for our residents.”
Myers said was determined that the best way to raise the funds to improve the county was to have a one-cent sales tax for 15 years. The plan was adopted in 2002.
She said needs that have and will be addressed by The Better Place Plan are parks, entertainment, recreation, roads, drainage, infrastructure, economic development and public facilities.
In order to propel economic development, the county now has a $3 million spec building in an office park waiting for tenants.
Another deal that may help the county is the Wal-Mart distribution center that may be built there.
“One of the roads that are being resurfaced and widened is State Road 207,” she said. “Plans for a regional water plant are also in place. So coming to that area now is a four-lane road and water. Sewer is soon to follow. Bringing the water and the roads will change the dynamics of Putnam County.”
With water and sewer, it would significantly magnify the county’s density allowing for major development.
“We have developers waiting for water before they will start developing,” said Myers.