by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
State Rep. Stan Jordan’s proposal to build a smaller downtown Duval County Courthouse supported by suburban satellites is making a comeback in City Hall.
Mayor John Peyton said Jordan’s concept, which was pitched last week in a hand-delivered letter to the mayor’s office, would “absolutely” be considered as his staff looks for ways to balance the building’s functions with its budget.
Peyton scrapped the previous plans when he became convinced that they could not be built within range of the project’s original $190 million budget. Peyton said he wasn’t sure whether the City’s wish list would have to be cut to deliver the building at a reasonable cost.
“There’s a lot of moving parts to this,” said Peyton. “We’re still determining whether our needs match our resources.”
Jordan said his plan would save money on construction and operations. The plan would build a smaller downtown courthouse to handle criminal cases and about 20 percent of civil cases. The remaining civil case load would be dispersed to satellite courtrooms built in the suburbs. Jordan said his proposal would allow the City to build a high quality building downtown, while keeping within budget.
Jordan said the satellite solution would make the courts more accessible to suburban residents and would reduce the need for downtown parking. The satellite facilities could also spur development if placed in vacant shopping centers, he said.
“This would be win/win for everybody,” said Jordan. “It would increase services to the community, help reduce bridge traffic and bring revitalization to blighted areas.”
Jordan first suggested the idea in May. Then the mayor was still pushing to build the original design. When a City Council committee asked about splitting civil and criminal cases, members of the mayor’s executive staff said they preferred to keep the cases consolidated.
Jordan said he didn’t take it personally.
“When I sent it out before, they were on a course they thought they could complete,” said Jordan. “But it’s pretty obvious they have a ‘bridge out’ sign out there now.”
The City has pursued a consolidated courthouse because it would bring more people downtown and give court-related businesses, like law firms and court reporters, strong incentive to settle downtown.
But Jordan said his proposal would still keep a majority of the court’s functions downtown. Peyton seemed to agree with him.
“You’re still going to have a major court presence downtown (with Jordan’s plan),” said Peyton.
Asked why City Hall is giving his proposal a warmer reception the second time around, Jordan attributed it to timing.
“There’s an old country song by Mickey Gilley, called ‘the Girls Get Prettier at Closing Time.’ I think that’s what you’re seeing here. Nothing’s going to be out of consideration,” said Jordan.