Palatka CRA discusses restoring year-round lighting for 17 historic gas lamps

The Palatka Community Redevelopment Agency on Feb. 10 discussed using CRA South Historic District funds to repair and relight 17 historic gas lamps in the neighborhood and to avoid placing the ongoing cost burden on residents.

Residents and CRA staff said the lamps are an historic visual element of the neighborhood but currently are lit only during December with donations from neighbors. "When I purchased [my home] in 2017, the lamps were lit and the charm of them was one of the reasons that I bought in the neighborhood," resident Cheryl Roche said. "They have been neglected and somewhere along the line they were dimmed."

CRA staff said a preliminary cost estimate from the Palatka Gas Authority indicates a fuel cost of about $1 per lamp per day — roughly $6,205 annually for year‑round lighting — but that once repairs and maintenance are factored in annual costs could exceed $10,000. Replacing all lamp heads was quoted at about $5,120. The gas authority representative said replacement of lamp heads should reduce frequent relight callouts and associated overtime for field crews.

The item drew questions about alternatives and neighborhood notification. Commissioners and residents urged staff to poll owners in the South Historic District on preferred options before any commitment. They also asked staff to return with clarified, itemized costs for (1) continuing gas service and repairs, (2) converting the lamps to electrical service, and (3) solar alternatives and the upfront costs of those conversions.

Staff said electrical conversion is more complicated than it might appear because the lamp sites lack existing electrical hookups; the public works department and the gas authority have identified added complexity and cost. Staff also noted storm and safety procedures for gas fixtures, including a plan to shut off the lamps ahead of hurricanes.

Direction: CRA staff were asked to poll the neighborhood, research and document the upfront and annual costs for gas versus electric and solar options (including any required trenching or utility extensions), and return with a written recommendation. Commissioners also asked staff to document historical callout frequency; the gas authority told the body the district recorded roughly eight to ten callouts during the month‑long holiday lighting period and that improved lamp heads or guards could reduce that number.

No formal vote was taken; the item will return to a future agenda with the requested cost comparisons and neighborhood feedback.