Remedying traffic-related offenses in person will mean a trip Downtown beginning in January.
The courts and City have come to an agreement that will move the Traffic Violations Bureau and other Clerk of Court functions Downtown to the Duval County Unified Courthouse Facility at 501 W. Adams St.
The move of traffic court and court mediation from the current location at 3490 Beach Blvd. in the South Gate Plaza will save the City about $750,000 a year in rent.
The idea has been discussed at the City Council Finance Committee budget hearings through August, but one of the hang-ups had been adequate parking to accommodate people coming to and going from the facility.
Court Administrator Joe Stelma has said there is a need for 200-plus easy-access parking spaces for patrons, but that after discussions with City Public Parking Officer Jack Shad the issue is resolved.
“We’ve got it worked out,” Stelma said Wednesday.
Stelma would not specifically identify what parking lot or facility would be used, but said the City has proposed a couple of areas within two blocks of the courthouse and that there are more than 600 parking meters within that four-block area.
Stelma said the move is one that has been advocated by the City, and the courts will assist in complying.
“The courts are here to serve the people, not the people to serve the courts, the same way as government,” Stelma said.
Stelma also would not identify what area of the courthouse would be used for traffic court.
He said another issue that has prevented the move to this point has been accessibility and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in the facility, which stills needs resolution by the City and Turner Construction Co., which built the courthouse.
Stelma said Chief Judge Don Moran and other members of the judiciary met with City officials Wednesday to discuss the matter.
356-2466