Competing plans by two utility companies hoping to build gas-to-electricty generating plant on the Flats are fast losing favor with Coatesville officials.

Last Monday the RDA unofficially declared the project dead at the urging of city resident John Pawlowski who questioned whether recent a recent proposal to turn the Flats into a high-end residential and shopping district meant city residents no longer needed to worry about a power plant being built in downtown Coatesville.

"I would hope so," said City Manager Harry Walker.

"Is that a yes," questioned Pawlowski.

"Yes," Walker answered.

Pawlowski then turned to the four RDA members who chorused agreement with Walker, with authority member Joe 'Zeke' Disciullo offering the caveat, "at least not on the Flats."

Iacobucci Homes and Mosaic Development Partners are teaming up in the hopes of developing the 26-acre site. In April, Iacobucci submitted a proposal to the RDA for 112 townhouses selling between $175,000 to $225,000 to be built on the section north of the arched railroad bridge. At Monday's RDA meeting, Mosaic presented conceptual plans for the south section of the Flats that included a 40,500 square-foot supermarket and 87,500 square feet of retail space.

Baker Companies, the parent company of Iacobucci Homes, has offered $5 million for the Flats.

LSP Power Group, of St. Louis, and Florida Power and Light Company have both sought to purchase the the Flats. LSP has offered $10 million for the property. Both have promised hundreds of construction jobs during the two to three years it would take to build the power plant estimated to cost upwards of $500 million.