by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Three projects that will cost about $23.3 million and help kick-start the revitalization of both sides of the river were approved by the City Council Finance Committee Monday. But, not without a bit of consternation and a few “no” votes along the way.
The Committee approved $8.2 million for renovations to Metropolitan Park. Those renovations include razing the existing Kids Kampus and replacing it with a green area and a rock climbing all. Another $3.2 million was approved for a major facelift for Friendship Fountain and the area immediately around it. The final $11.9 million to replace the entire length of the Southbank Riverwalk, which was built 25 years and has been plagued with structural problems and failures.
Finance member Clay Yarborough said he approves of the projects, but questioned their timing.
“These projects are good projects,” he said. “I question the amount with all three at this time. Doing Metro Park in two phases is a good idea, but it’s hard to justify this right now.”
The administration assured Yarborough and the rest of the Committee that the funds being used will not come from the City’s General Fund.
The work at Friendship Fountain will be funded through the Southbank Tax Increment District. About 55 percent of the job includes new landscaping while the other 45 percent involves replacing the fountain’s failing pump system and lighting.
Ron Barton, executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, said the design plans for the work are at about 30 percent and added he won’t know for sure what — if anything — will have to be compromised if the project goes over budget.
Finance member John Crescimbeni calls Friendship Fountain Jacksonville’s “landmark” and wanted assurance that no matter what the fountain would be physically restored to its original grandeur.
“You have our assurance that it will be our priority,” said Barton.
According to Public Works Director Joey Duncan, the pump system in the fountain is “as old as I am” but the computer control system still works pretty well.
“That’s bad when it’s a pump,” said Duncan. “The lighting that was put in for Super Bowl has failed.”
According to a member of Duncan’s staff, it costs about $215,000 a year to maintain Kids Kampus. The renovations call for a simpler design and it will cost much less to maintain. Crescimbeni was on Council in 1999 when some of the original funds for Kids Kampus were approved.
“I don’t feel like we have any consistent direction on Met Park,” he said.
Finance member and Council Vice President Jack Webb said of the three projects, Kids Kampus and Met Park is the most difficult to approve.
“Of the trilogy, this is the toughest of the three bills in front of us,” he said. “It’s not good to be paralyzed by past decisions. I think the JEDC will get it right this time. Many people will disagree with us, but this is ultimately the right decision.”
The three projects must still pass the full Council before the projects begin. That approval could come as early as Tuesday.
In other news from Finance:
• The ownership of three surplus City vehicles was transferred to the Public Defender’s Office. The bill was sponsored by former Council President Ronnie Fussell.
“I think it’s a good bill and it helps a sister agency and gets some surplus vehicles out of the year,” said Fussell.
• Almost $900,000 was appropriated to the Nuisance Abatement Lien Special Revenue Fund. That money is generated by code violations and other assessments.
“This is good use of those fines and other violations,” said Yarborough. “We can turn around and use the funds to abate other properties.”
• A $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice was approved for the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for its bomb squad to purchase the equipment, software, supplies and other accessories to monitor gaseous threats in emergency situations.
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