by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The new Duval County Courthouse won’t be built any time soon, but Mayor John Peyton’s office said last week that some of the eight blocks in that development will serve a Super Bowl-related purpose.
Dan Kleman, the City’s chief operating officer, issued a memo to the City Council’s special courthouse committee, letting them know it would serve as a staging area and parking during the days leading up to game.
In addition to reopening Monroe Street, Kleman said the City would also “hydro seed” much of the site later this month to improve aesthetics and “stabilize the ground for vehicular traffic.”
Trailer facilities once occupied by Skanska Dynamic Partners will be used for auxiliary, though undetermined, office space until construction resumes.
Council member Kevin Hyde and Council president Elaine Brown said they were pleased with the plan, though Brown said she would like to be “kept in the loop” as further courthouse-related plans develop.
“I do want to stay informed with respect to where we’re going with the courthouse and who’s involved in those decisions,” she said. “However, I agree that whatever we can do to improve mobility for the people coming to Jacksonville during the Super Bowl, that’s what we should do.
“And honestly, if we’re able to utilize that land at all, that’s a good thing.”
Hyde agreed, saying he would endorse Peyton’s plan, “as long as Monroe Street stays open.”
“And as I understand it, that’s part of what’s being proposed,” said Hyde. “You know, this is an event that is less than two months away so it’s good that were looking for new ways to ensure that the Super Bowl is a success. If the courthouse site adds to that success, I think that’s a good purpose for it for now”
Hyde added that planting grass downtown would also serve a valuable purpose.
“If we can add some green space in the area, I definitely think that would be better than the dirt that’s there now,” he said.