by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Forty two years is a long time to put into City service.
Al Kinard, who recently retired from his post with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, thinks so, too.
“I felt like it was time to make a change,” said Kinard Thursday at a luncheon held in his honor at the Cowford Commons near Metro Park. “I had an opportunity to go to work for the Super Bowl Committee, working on some of the same projects that I’m working on now as well as taking some employment with an engineering firm that’s going to be doing this work. I felt like it was going to be a good marriage and I was ready for it.”
Shifting gears to tackle the immense task of preparing for the 2005 Super Bowl, Kinard will be doing work similar to what he did during Florida-Georgia games. He will be working with the developers, engineers and contractors to ensure the infrastructure is in place to handle the traffic, water/sewer discharge for cruise ships, accommodating out-of-town guests and related tasks.
Once the game is over, Kinard will enjoy a life of leisure, gardening, fishing and spending time with his five grandchildren.
“I had a vision of what I thought this area [the Sports Complex] is supposed look like and I wanted to see it through,” said Kinard. “It was a good ride for me and I enjoyed most every minute of it.”