by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The City is spending almost $1 million to spruce up Hemming Plaza.
The work is being done is phases, with the first phase set to be completed in time for this spring’s downtown festivals, which will take place from City Hall to Metro Park.
“We are breaking it up,” said Bill Watson, division chief of public buildings. “We are installing the light poles now and we’ll wait until after the festivals are over to finish. We want a finished look and we don’t want a bunch of work going on during the festivals.”
Watson also said the face lift isn’t necessarily long overdue.
“I think it’s just an upgrade and renovation,” said Watson. “It’s part of the overall plan to improve downtown.”
Due to be complete by early next year, the project includes retiling both fountains and the replacement of all the street lights surrounding the park.
“We are redoing the electrical and replacing the lights with antique light poles that will be in and around the plaza,” said Watson.
The project, which will cost $834,501 and also includes some minor landscaping enhancements, is not being funded by Better Jacksonville Plan; the money is coming from a separate funding source for park improvements.