by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
A City official told the Downtown Action Committee Monday morning that several aspects of the Southbank Riverwalk have deteriorated greatly, many of which aren’t visible. While the status of Friendship Fountain garners the most public attention, the condition of the Southbank Riverwalk’s bulkhead poses an equally daunting problem.
Phil Bruce, chief of the City’s Park Development Division, said the city is in the process of evaluating seven proposals regarding what to do at Friendship Park and that the Public Works Department rates consultants based on several factors in order to determine their track record with other projects and, “Are they good businesspeople?”
Bruce said that the future of the fountain is not clear at this time, but that its fate will be up to the consultant chosen to plan the changes. He also said that at least three public hearings will be held to gather input about the fountain’s place in the new park design.
Bruce also stated that there is $18.5 million budgeted to renovate the Southbank Riverwalk and that part of the design process will be to send divers into the water to evaluate the condition of the existing bulkhead.
“Public Works thinks the infrastructure down there is pretty much shot,” he said.
Metropolitan Park also needs improvements.
“There have been some structural failures,” said Bruce, adding portions of the underground drainage system have collapsed and the ground has settled causing water to pond in the open space.
Bruce also presented an overview of plans for renovating existing parks and creating new ones.
He said that any future plans for Confederate Park and Hogan’s Creek would have to take environmental issues into account because the areas are contaminated with coal tar residue and heavy metals that will not be easy or inexpensive to remove.
“It’s not a case where you can go in with a backhoe and scoop it out,” he said.
Bruce also reported that his office had receive a phone call from a citizen concerned that the Treaty Oak might be cut down as part of the park’s planned renovations.
Council member Suzanne Jenkins said, “Absolutely not. Cutting down the oak was never part of the plan.”
Riverside Park in Five Points is also scheduled for improvements. Bruce said the work there will include improving the tree canopy and drainage and adding handicap-accessible parking. “We’re hoping to finish the plan by the end of this year,” he said.
The plans for changes at Hemming Plaza are progressing, said Jenkins. Still under consideration is eliminating the east fountain and upgrading the west fountain while maintaining the tree canopy. She said building public restrooms under the Skyway station is also being considered.
Jenkins pointed out that last week’s announcement of plans for a new pocket park behind the Main Library had created a lot of conversation about whether a park is the best use of the site.
Steve Congro attended the meeting representing Metro Jacksonville and said he believes that Main Street is one of Downtown’s least pedestrian-friendly areas. He added that, in view of existing Downtown parks’ homeless population, he wonders why money will be spent to build a new park that is surrounded by social service organizations.
Committee member Ennis Davis said that in his opinion the site would be perfect for a workforce housing development and that the developer could be required to build a park as part of the design.
“Hopefully there will be some flexibility (in the mayor’s plan) based on public opinion,” said Jenkins.