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 promoted this past season as their last in Wolfson Park. 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 to make way for the Fair. The ball park is really starting to take shape and the brick facade is being installed. At this point in time, 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. The ball park’s project manager is Dave Schneider and renderings of the new park can be found at www.betterjax.com.
Arena
According to the Better Jacksonville Plan’s web site, the $130 million, 16,000-seat arena will be dedicated in the Summer of 2003 and open in Fall 2003. The current Coliseum is set to be demolished between July 15 and Aug. 15 of next year. However, if the Tomcats aren’t bought and play a 2003 schedule, demolition may be sooner. 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 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 really starting to take shape and its oval design is very apparent. The project manager is Dave Schneider and 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. According to Better Jax officials, the remodeling is moving quickly and actually ahead of schedule. 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 spring 2003. A story and photo can be found on www.betterjax.com.
On Aug. 17, the Rhodes Building was demolished and the debris has since been removed. 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. The project manager is Rex Holmlin and artist renderings are posted at 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 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. The project manager is Chris Boruch and artist renderings are available at www.betterjax.com.
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 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 Better Jacksonville 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-sq. ft. 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 Better Jax 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 fund raising is underway, with a goal of $5 million. The ground breaking for the equestrian center was Nov. 6 with a completion date of Summer 2003. The project manager is Taye’ Brown. Rendering scan be found at betterjax.com.