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. Of all the projects, the City is most under the gun on this one — the Suns have been promoting this season as their last in Wolfson Park. And the demolition of Wolfson Park is scheduled for shortly after the end of this season. Renderings of the new park can be found at www.betterjax.com.
Arena
According to the Better Jacksonville Plan’s website, the $130 million, 16,000-seat arena will be open in fall 2003. The Kansas City-based architectural firm, HOK, is designing both the ballpark 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 starting to take shape and its oval design is very apparent. A rendering of the new arena can be found at www.betterjax.com.
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 Balis family of San Marco. The library’s reopening is expected in spring 2003. A story and photo can be found on www.betterjax.com.
Demolition is underway at the site the $95 million downtown library. A few weeks ago, Realco Wrecking tore down the Young Men’s Shop to make way for the library’s parking garage. A couple of weeks ago the two LaRose buildings were demolished and clean up working is continuing. Scaffolding has been set up at the Rhodes Building so that the cornice work can be salvaged and the building will be imploded Aug. 18. The new facility will be directly east of Hemming Plaza and is scheduled to open in late 2004. When available, artist renderings will be posted on www.betterjax.com.
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. The award to Cannon was officially protested by KBJ Architects. The City’s Awards Committee upheld Mayor John Delaney’s decision to go with Cannon. The $211 million facility is scheduled for completion in 2005. Renderings are available at www.betterjax.com.
Resurfacing
Over 650 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 30 miles of new sidewalks have been built so far. Citizens should call 630-BJAX with questions about sidewalks and streets. Two nice ladies will help you with your questions and if they don’t know the answer, they’ll find out and get back to you.
Parks
Over 100 park projects, funded by the Plan, 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 and 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 is in the process of relocating from the Cathedral area to LaVilla. 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 $25 million project is broken into three categories: $15 million for the equestrian center; $5 million for the recreation complex; and $5 million for infrastructure. The ground breaking for the equestrian center is set for Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. with a completion date of summer 2003. The project is being handled by Taye Brown.