by Fred Seely
Editorial Director
Eight years ago, the local builders association endorsed John Delaney’s candidacy for mayor. Last month, he again gave his thanks.
“The builders were with me when only two percent of the people knew who I was,” he said in a speech to the Sales and Marketing Council, part of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “I pledged then to share their vision of growth, but growth in the right way. I think we’ve all done a good job.”
And, in what may be his last formal speech to the real estate community, Delaney gave an overview of his administration’s work since he was took office. He leaves City Hall next summer, the result of term limits.
The mayor focused on three areas close to the builders: growth, environment and neighborhoods.
“We are putting in the infrastructure necessary for growth,” Delaney told about 250 at the Southpoint Marriott breakfast. “A mall isn’t going to exist on a septic tank — it needs a sewer line. Growth stops at the end of sewer lines.” And, he said, the road building part of the better Jacksonville Plan goes hand-in-hand.
The environment is better today, as well, he said.
“Frankly, not a lot of people were proud of this place 15 years ago,” he said to the group, which included mayoral candidate Ginger Soud, who already has gotten the builders’ association endorsement. “The odor was unpleasant and the river was a dumping ground for raw sewage. And, there were no jobs.
“Today, it’s rare that you get a bad whiff, and that comes from South Georgia. The river is clean: I was at Ruth’s Chris (the downtown riverfront restaurant) last night and there were dolphins swimming under the Main Street Bridge. The river is clean. The economy is going well.”
He also pointed out the rebirth of neighborhoods, particularly in the near-downtown area.
“We aren’t abandoning old neighborhoods,” he said. “It’s great to see what’s happening in places like San Marco and Riverside.”
Delaney also gave his usual pep talk about the $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville Plan and told the SMC that it’s being recognized around the country.
“I was in Fresno, Calif., recently and they wanted to know how we’ve been successful,” he said. “I gave a speech to the Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the questions were about our commitment to the community. I went to a meeting of elected officials in Orlando and they were asking about what we were doing and how we did it.
“Jacksonville is one of the few places that will be better next year than it is this year. It’s moving up,” he said. “We’re doing things for the future, like developing a light rail corridor that probably won’t be built in this generation. But, when the city is ready to build it, the growth along the line will be oriented toward it.”
He said goals are being met.
“We will fix every pothole in Jacksonville,” he said, “and 80 percent of the roads will be done by the end of next year. We’ll have 500-600 miles of new sidewalks. We’ve identified the corridor for a new light rail system — it probably won’t be built in this generation, but there won’t be any surprises when its time comes. Land planners will know it’s there, and they’ll be able to orient the growth along the line.
“The big downtown buildings are only one-fourth of the Plan but they’re the most visible, and we’re pleased with the progress. You can see the baseball park and arena coming up.
“The library was delayed at the request of the trustees, because they wanted to do more research on what it should contain. It will be excellent, a true flagship for the system.” And the courthouse, he said, will be an outstanding addition to downtown.
The growth will continue, whether we want it or not.
“We add 2,000 people a month,” he said. “About 500 move in and we add 1,500 or so of our own new kids.”
So, Delaney concluded with a plea: “Keep building,.”
“I have four kids and I love them,” he said, “but I don’t want them living with me for the rest of my life. However, I want them nearby, so that means you’ll have to build at least four more homes.”