Here’s an update on the $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville Plan projects, which were funded by a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in September 2000:
Baseball park
The $34 million, 10,000-seat ballpark is scheduled to be complete in time for the Jacksonville Suns to open the 2003 season in April. Ground was broken on the ballpark late last year. Infrastructure work began in March and the park actually came out of the ground in May. If you drive by the site, you can see the seating starting to take form. In mid-October, the Suns moved their offices out of Wolfson Park to temporary offices in the Sports Complex area and Wolfson Park was demolished. The ball park is really starting to take shape and the brick facade is being installed. At this point, the Suns and the City are still negotiating the lease of the new ball park and both sides have indicated an agreement should be reached soon.
Arena
According to the Plan’s website, the $130 million, 16,000-seat arena will be dedicated next summer 2003 and open next fall The current Coliseum is set to be demolished between July 15 and Aug. 15. Also, the City had originally budgeted $1 million for demolition, but one contractor has put in a bid for $615,000. The Kansas City-based architectural firm, HOK, is designing both the ball park and the arena, which will reflect the ballpark’s Camden Yards-like external appearance with a state-of-the-art interior. At last check, the arena was really starting to take shape and its oval design is very apparent.
Libraries
The first ground breaking for a branch library was April 9 at the San Marco Branch Library Renovation. The project connects with the new Balis Community Center. The $1.8 million project is funded by the Plan and a donation from the Balis family of San Marco. The library’s reopening is expected in the spring.
On Aug. 17, the Rhodes Building was demolished and the debris has since been removed for the new main library. The site is now being prepped for infrastructure work and the official ground breaking is set for Dec. 16. Architect Robert A.M. Stern will be in town for the ground breaking and the City is currently negotiating with Auchter-Elkins-Lodestar-Paris for the construction manager job.
County courthouse
Cannon Design was selected as the architect for the new county courthouse after winning a two-day design competition involving three other firms and the City and Cannon have completed contract negotiations. In October, the City’s Professional Services Evaluation Committee recommended Beers Skanska Dynamics Partners as the construction manager for the courthouse and shortly thereafter, Mayor John Delaney signed off on that recommendation. The City and Beers, who is also doing the new United States Courthouse at Jacksonville, are currently in contract negotiations, which are expected to take into December to finalize. The $211 million facility is scheduled for completion in late 2005.
Resurfacing
Over 900 miles of streets have been resurfaced so far and Delaney personally paved a portion of the 500th mile on Duke Road in early May.
Sidewalks
Approximately 34 miles of new sidewalks have been built. Citizens should call 630-BJAX with questions about sidewalks and streets.
Parks
Over 100 park projects are currently underway. To check out what’s going on in your neighborhood, go to
www.betterjax.com.
Northwest Economic Development Fund
Development of Hope Plaza (a mixed-use development with a 60,000 square-foot office building on a 32-acre site) in the North Planning District is moving forward. Site demolition of the Moncrief Plaza retail/commercial center and Chase neighborhood is complete and bids for construction are being accepted. United Optical has relocated from the Cathedral area to LaVilla and One Metro North is being revitalized. There are several other projects within this fund and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is constantly reviewing applications and bids.
This work is being funded in part by $25 million from the Plan and money from the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund, overseen by Ros Phillips, director of business development for the JEDC.
Zoo
The “Range of the Jaguars” exhibit, a $10 million project, is projected to open in spring 2004. The ground breaking took place last month and is also being funded by over $2 million in private donations and other fund raising efforts.
Cecil Commerce Equestrian Center and Recreation Complex
This $34 million project is broken into three categories: $20 million for the equestrian center; $5 million for the recreation complex; and $9 million for infrastructure. Private fundraising is underway, with a goal of $5 million. The groundbreaking for the equestrian center was Nov. 6 and it should be complete by summer.
“The library program is going well. Design is underway on 18 projects and the San Marco Branch Library renovation is under construction. We are looking forward to breaking ground on the Main Library on Dec. 16 at 11 a.m.”
— Rex Holmlin,
libraries project manager
“The arena is tracking right on time and on budget. Several upgrades were recently approved near the main entrance that will greatly impress visitors to the arena.”
— Dave Schneider,
arena project manager
“Construction of the ball park remains on time and on budget. We will all have the opportunity to enjoy baseball there next April.”
— Dave Schneider,
baseball park project manager
”Approximately 90 percent of the BJP roadways are currently under design and are on track for full completion by 2010.”
— Doug Layton,
roadway project manager
“The new Duval County Courthouse design is underway with full participation of the architect, judges, courthouse tenants, the City and its program manager in order to ensure the most efficient and economical design.”
— Chris Boruch,
courthouse project manager
“We have resurfaced over 900 miles and are on schedule. The cost per mile continues to be lower than budgeted.”
— Bob Scott,
project manager
“Construction began on the Equestrian and Recreation Center on Nov. 6. The project is proceeding well.”
— Taye Brown, Equestrian and
Recreation Center project manager