This week, Palmetto city commissioners approved conceptual plans to build a solar energy power plant in the city's estuary park.

The city's mayor believes the structure will draw more people to the underutilized area while helping the environment.
 
Palmetto’s Estuary Preservation Park is beautiful but hardly used.
 
“Its kind of off the wayward path of most of the city.” said Jeff Burton, the Community Redevelopment Agency Director.
 
The city wants to change that, says Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.
 
“It’s a wonderful location to come, and we just want more people to appreciate it.” Bryant said.
 
Soon the park is likely to receive a solar power plant. It will be a 40-foot wide, 90-foot long overhead parking area that is solar-powered.
 
Florida Power and Lighting chose Palmetto to be one of four cities in the state to have these solar “power plants,” as a way to promote solar energy. The structure will not only provide shade for cars, but also solar energy for the entire park providing more security.
 
“We increase the light while reducing the energy cost using LED lights. We also put up security cameras that are tied directly to the police department.” Burton said.
 
Palmetto is taking the structure a step further by adding a kayak storage facility attached to it. From there, the city will build a kayak launch and paths through the mangroves to explore the area by water.
 
“Like a cavern it would be covered with mangroves and you would go under the mangroves all the way out.” Says Burton.
 
The city is hoping with the new additions, the park will become a shining spot in Palmetto that everyone will love.
 
This will be Palmetto’s largest solar project. Next Monday, commissioners will make their final decision on the project. Bryant believes it will pass with no problems. If it does pass, the project will begin in 2016.