by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Those parking in the lot located at 325 Main St. will soon have to make a change of plans. According to the mayor’s office, the lot, formally leased to Parkway Parking of Florida, has been acquired by the City through eminent domain as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan.
Originally, City plans to acquire the property were met with resistance as Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Haddock ruled in April 2002 that sufficient research had not been performed necessitating an eminent domain buy out. In October, that ruling was overturned and the property was purchased by the City.
“I showed up for work on Friday and was told that this lot might not be open for business on Monday,” said Harold Williams, an attendant for Parkway Parking. “We’re still open, but I honestly don’t know when our last day is. Only two monthly parkers that I know of even know that we’re closing.”
Originally the three quarter-acre lot, when owned by the Eunice Estelle Demery Trust, was to be converted into a 12-story building comprised of parking, retail and Class A office space. However, the City announced recently that while the new four and a half story, 300,000 square-foot main library on Main Street undergoes construction, the lot may be used as a staging area for construction vehicles.
“While I’m not completely certain of what we’ll do with the lot,” said Sam Mousa, chief administrative officer and Better Jacksonville Plan top administrator, “for the time being, a staging area for construction
is likely.”
According to Stacie Bucher, public relations coordinator for the library, a new public access parking garage across from City Hall with 600 available spaces will be erected for the main library.
As for the vacant lot, the City plans to convert the land into a pocket park in an attempt to inject some greenery into downtown. Additionally, the land may also be used to park school buses during class visits to the
new library.