by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
City Council member Matt Carlucci has one more project he’d like to see completed before he leaves office June 30.
The renovated San Marco Branch Library and adjacent Balis Community Center on Hendricks Avenue in San Marco were the first Better Jacksonville Plan-related library projects to be completed. In a much-publicized ceremony April 17, dozens of library and City officials and community leaders gathered to cut the ribbon and reopen the doors. However, there was one thing missing: a new sign.
According to Carlucci, the sign will cost $32,000. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have it and he’s been told he can’t use any of the $1 million each district Council member has in their Better Jacksonville fund.
“I want to get the sign done and the question is, can I use Better Jax money? That’s the issue,” said Carlucci, who stepped down to run for mayor.
Carlucci contends he should be able to use his Better Jacksonville funds for the sign because it’s not just for the library. He says the community center is run by the City’s Parks & Recreation department and, because the sign will designate both the library and the center, the funds should be made available.
“I understand the Better Jacksonville money is for recreation, and a library, to some, might not be considered recreation, but this is also a park,” he said. “The library and community center are also connected to the Southside Recreational Park. In my mind, that’s recreation.”
Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa disagrees with Carlucci’s assessment, but vowed to find the funding.
“It’s in my lap and we’ll get it worked out,” said Mousa. “However, it will have to be paid for out of some other type of funding.”
Mousa wouldn’t speculate on where the money may come from, but reiterated it won’t be Better Jacksonville funds.
“We cannot use Better Jacksonville money,” said Mousa. “It is identified as a park, but that was not the intent of that money.”
Mousa said Council district Better Jacksonville money was meant to be spent on capital improvements to regional and pocket parks such as infrastructure, walking trails and playground equipment.
The funding deficit, according to Carlucci, is the result of cost overruns associated with the San Marco branch and Balis Center renovations. Regardless of the fiscal difference and current lack of funding, Carlucci and Mousa agree the sign will get funded, built and installed.
“It needs to be done and I’m going to help him [Carlucci] get it done,” said Mousa.
“I suspect it will get worked out,” said Carlucci. “But I will not twist any arms.”
The library and community center renovations were funded entirely by the $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville Plan. The Plan set aside $95 million for a new Main Library downtown and earmarked another $55 million for six new branch libraries and renovations to another 12 existing libraries.