The Federal Bar Association held its monthly meeting at the Omni Tuesday. In addition to swearing in new officers, Mayor John Delaney gave an update on the new Duval County Courthouse.
Comparing downtown Jacksonville to the hole of doughnut, Delaney said his plan for growth management is to fill in the core of downtown to prevent extending infrastructure and sprawl. Delaney also touched on the need for downtown housing and amenities such as performing arts, top-notch sports facilities and the new downtown library.
Delaney said courthouse construction should take about three years and the structure will include two parking garages. When complete, the mayor said it will be the largest county courthouse in the state.
The new officers of the FBA are Jeff Watson, president; Philip Buhler, president-elect; Robin Gerstein, vice president of programming; Tom Bishop, vice president of membership; Martha Bolton, secretary; and Meg Zabijaka, treasurer.