by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Mayor John Delaney is going to go out with a bang.
Literally.
On June 26, Delaney will not only lead the dedication ceremony for the new arena, he’ll also trigger the implosion of the old Coliseum. And, the two events will happen within a few minutes of each other.
“We are having a dedication ceremony at 10:30 and we are going to install a plaque at the new arena,” said Delaney’s chief of staff Audrey Moran. “Either right before or right after that, we are going to implode the Coliseum. It’s going to be a great event.”
Like the past three dedication ceremonies for major Better Jacksonville Plan projects — the $34 million Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, the $95 million main library and the $211 million county courthouse complex — the June 26 festivities will be open to the public. Unlike the past ceremonies, there will be some fairly strict logistical and security measures taken this time.
Moran said some thought was given to holding both events on the weekend — June 26 is a Thursday — but, realizing that may create a larger crowd than desired, the weekday date was chosen. In addition to establishing a perimeter, the offices in Alltel Stadium and those of the Fair will be evacuated. However, officials are seriously considering using a portion of the new $130 million arena as a viewing vantage point.
“We may be using the upper levels of the arena. That is far enough away to be safe and close enough for a good view,” said Moran. “There will be public viewing areas and some will be restricted to invitation only.”
The new 14,000-seat arena is scheduled to be complete late this fall. Once the Coliseum has hosted its last local high school graduation, Better Jax officials will begin prepping it for demolition. D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. of Pensacola is the primary demolition contractor and the implosion will be orchestrated by Demolition Dynamics out of Nashville, Tenn.
“We will start the asbestos abatement in about a week,” said arena and ball park project manager Dave Schneider. “Around June 10 or so, Demolition Dynamics will start wiring the Coliseum.”
In addition to external prep work, the interior of the Coliseum will also get attention. Several months ago, bids went out to anyone interested in anything from the scoreboard to seats to ice hockey equipment. Schneider said other City departments had first dibs and, no matter who buys what, they have bring a check and haul off what they buy.
On June 30, the Delaney administration will officially come to an end and Mayor-elect John Peyton will take over. Moran declined to go into detail, but she did say the implosion and dedication weren’t the only special things planned for the two-term mayor.
“It is one of many things we have planned for his last week in office,” she said.