Coca‑Cola to donate 1.6 acres adjacent to wastewater plant; city accepts deed restrictions and pollution‑liability coverage

The City Commission unanimously approved an agreement on July 17 to accept a donated 1.6‑acre parcel from The Coca‑Cola Company at 427 San Christopher Drive for expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities. City attorney and staff said the donated parcel was appraised in May at roughly $870,000 and that Coca‑Cola will pay for a pollution‑liability insurance policy covering contamination issues identified on the larger former Coca‑Cola site. “There were environmental considerations … groundwater extends under Weaver Park,” the city attorney said, adding that the donated parcel sits outside the boundary lines of the engineered institutional controls but will be affected by the recorded restrictions. Commissioners asked about the pollution‑liability policy term and limit; staff said Coca‑Cola will provide a policy with a $5,000,000 limit that will run for three years. The commission voted to accept the agreement and thanked Coca‑Cola and staff for concluding the long negotiation. Ending: Staff said the parcel will be used for wastewater plant expansion needs — including reclaimed water storage — to help the city meet future discharge restrictions.