by Richard Prior
Staff Writer
Public Works Director Lynn Westbrook is heading the Better Jacksonville Plan while the search continues for a permanent replacement for Sam Mousa, who resigned July 10.
The outgoing chief operating officer for the City had served under mayors Tommy Hazouri, Ed Austin and John Delaney. He notified Mayor John Peyton that he was resigning to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
As the City’s chief operating officer under Mayor John Delaney, Mousa was responsible for the daily management of the City and oversaw The Better Jacksonville Plan, a $2.25 billion project.
“We’re definitely looking for a permanent COO,” said Heather Murphy, Peyton’s press secretary. “We are obviously allowing Lynn Westbrook to be a part of that process. Because our plate is so full, we can’t afford not to have someone there.”
Westbrook was named the City’s interim COO July 16 and is responsible for Better Jacksonville’s day-to-day operation.
While Westbrook devotes the bulk of his time to Better Jacksonville, a deputy at Public Works is helping him in that department, Graham said.
Mousa is also “pitching in” to help Westbrook whenever he needs it, she added.
The mayor’s office hasn’t set a deadline for finding a new Better Jacksonville leader, Graham said.
“We’ll do the process thoroughly,” she said.
During his tenure, Delaney pitched the Plan to the voters. He asked them to approve a half-cent increase in sales taxes to pay for several high-profile capital improvement projects. The referendum was approved in September 2000.
Ground was broken in November 2001 for the $130 million Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, being built just west of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard in the Sports Complex. Construction should be complete this fall, according to Lisa Rowe, director of communications for Better Jacksonville.
The City’s new Main Library, under construction just east of Hemming Plaza, will be nearly three times the size of the current library. It should be completed late next year at a cost of $95 million.
Site preparation is under way for the $211 million County Courthouse Complex, which will be several blocks west of the new Federal Courthouse. The complex, with 43 courtrooms, is being touted as “one of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art county courthouses in the country.”
It is expected to open in fall 2005.
Other projects include the Cecil Equestrian and Recreation Complex, the Land of the Jaguar exhibit at the Jacksonville Zoo, resurfacing of some 800 miles of neighborhood streets, an estimated 30 miles of new sidewalks, The Preservation Project, and septic tank repair and clean-up of contaminated areas.