by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Once it’s open, it doesn’t plan to close.
The City’s Seaport-Airport Special Committee was updated on the progress of the future Hanjin cargo terminal at Dames Point Tuesday, and they were informed that the terminal will be equipped with automated machinery that will allow it to unload cargo 24-hours-a-day.
“What will be special about this terminal is that it will use an automated rail-mounted gantry container system, which is extremely efficient and very automated,” said Rick Ferrin, CEO of the Jacksonville Port Authority. “It works 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week moving containers around the yard without an operator. That’s why Hanjin anticipates being able to move more cargo through a smaller footprint than Tra-Pac right next door.”
The Port Authority is currently accepting “Statements of Qualifications” to be considered for the design and permitting of the terminal that will occupy 90 acres on the waterfront at Dames Point and 20-30 acres of administrative space off of Heckscher Drive. The project is estimated to cost over $300 million and is expected to be open for business by the summer of 2013.
Those “Statements of Qualifications” are due by Aug. 21 by 2 p.m. Design and permitting for the project is expected to be completed 18 months after the contract is awarded. Ferrin plans to offer a recommendation for the awarding of the contract to the Port Authority’s board of directors at its December meeting.
“I realize that there is some global expertise that is required for a project like this,” said Daniel Davis, City Council member and chair of the special committee. “But what are the Port’s goals as far as putting men and women to work in Northeast Florida?”
Ferrin didn’t foresee much of the labor force being hired outside of Northeast Florida.
“I anticipate that the design will be performed by a company that has a significant local presence here in Jacksonville,” said Ferrin. “About the only imported expertise will be for the automated, rail-mounted gantry container system. The bulk of the jobs during construction will be local jobs as well.”
The Port Authority and Hanjin Shipping Company entered into a 30-year lease agreement in December which requires the construction of a 90-acre container facility at the Dames Point Marine Terminal with an option for future expansion. The agreement is expected to create more than 5,600 new private sector jobs in Jacksonville and support operations in trucking, distribution and related services. The
terminal will generate nearly $1 billion in annual economic impact, the Port Authority estimates.
After looking at the future, the chair of the Seaport-Airport Special Committee was asked about statements made during its last meeting which caused some public outcry.
Davis has stated that he is opposed to proposed “Amendment 4,” also known as the Hometown Democracy amendment, which will be on the November 2010 ballot, and could give the public the final say on any changes to any municipality’s land use plans. The plans are used as guidelines for growth and set up areas for specific types of development.
Davis was the original sponsor of a resolution (2009-586) to express the Council’s opposition to the amendment and ask its citizens to vote “No” on the amendment. Council members Ronnie Fussell, Bill Bishop, Stephen Joost, Art Shad, Clay Yarborough and Kevin Hyde have also signed on as sponsors of the resolution.
Members of “Hometown Democracy” visited City Hall Tuesday to voice their opinions on Davis’ resolution.
“Council member Davis wants to continue the status quo of sprawl and overdevelopment that has crashed Florida’s and Jacksonville’s economy, causing the loss of so many of our jobs and reducing our home values,” said Janet Stanko, Amendment 4 campaign organizer. “And in proposing this resolution, Mr. Davis is also asking the City Council to break the law. Senate Bill 216, passed by the Legislature this spring, forbids local political bodies from expending funds for campaigning against ballot issues.”
Davis had checked with the Council’s attorneys on the matter and was comfortable with the resolution he has sponsored.
“Counsel has told me that we are on solid legal ground in regards to the resolution,” said Davis, who is also the executive director of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. “It has nothing to do with my job at NEFBA, it’s the right thing to do. It is highly inappropriate to pass an amendment like this when we are in a recession. We should be doing everything we possibly can to remove economic burdens, not create economic burdens.”
356-2466