Several City Council members aren’t happy about the planned Southbank Riverwalk project stopping short what the Downtown boardwalk currently offers.
Replacing the entire 3,600-foot boardwalk — instead of 2,700 feet as has been planned — will take about another $2 million on top of the $15 million budgeted. A council committee Tuesday might have found the money.
Council member Denise Lee said she will have legislation introduced as an emergency next week to transfer about $2 million from a riverwalk-related project account to cover the remaining 900 feet, a step she said would be a mistake if not accomplished.
“We need to go ahead and get it done,” she said Tuesday evening. “The money will be there, one way or another.”
Earlier in the day, the council’s Recreation and Community Development Committee heard a lengthy presentation from Public Works Director Jim Robinson about the project. Announced in September, the replacement would stop midway through the Wyndham hotel property and not reach the Duval County School Board building.
“It’s quite unbelievable that it would not have been a priority,” she said.
And, since she heard no solutions from the administration, she potentially found one after council auditors reviewed
project accounts.
The committee’s chair, council member John Crescimbeni, said it is unfortunate that the majority of the 19-member group did not know about the project stopping short. Communication on the issue has been “abominable,” he said.
“I don’t think the council is going to stand for not having 25 percent of this project not completed,” he said Tuesday.
The riverwalk enhancements will include replacing the decaying wooden walkway with a concrete one and add colored pavers, light poles, guardrails, pet stations and more. It is slated to be completed by the end of the
year.
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