It will take help from above to restore the electricity to the 20 Riverwalk Townhomes at The Plaza.
It won’t be divine intervention, but rather a helicopter that will be used to remove and then replace a transformer damaged when a section of Liberty Street near the condominiums collapsed into the St. Johns River.
The condominiums along the Northbank Riverwalk Downtown went dark about 12:30 a.m. Feb. 1.
The state Department of Transportation is examining the area around the collapse to determine its stability.
Even if the area around the collapse is secure, no equipment large enough to move the transformer can be used due to the 3-ton weight limit on the platform suspended on pilings above the river.
JEA spokeswoman Gerri Boyce said after considering all the engineering options for replacing the transformer, it appears the only way to do the work will be to use a helicopter capable of lifting the equipment.
Similar operations have been conducted Downtown to install signs on office towers.
“We could have the transformer installed by the end of next week, barring any issues,” she said Wednesday.
JEA plans to be ready to reconnect the electricity to the condos as soon as the homeowners association replaces components damaged in the collapse that are its responsibility.
“Our goal has always been to have everything on our side in place when the homeowners complete their portion of the replacement,” Boyce said.
Andrew Beaudoin, who represents the townhome owners, said it will take as long as two weeks to replace the conduit, cables and electric meters that were damaged.
City Public Works Director Jim Robinson appeared Wednesday before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. He said a tentative schedule for repairing the roadway could be available this week, depending on how quickly the state completes its inspection and analysis.
On the 11th day after the collapse, Robinson said city departments are working on the issue just as if the damage was caused by a tropical storm.
“It’s not as if anybody can restore the power tomorrow,” he said. “It’s just the way it is.”
At-large City Council member Robin Lumb has been working with the city and residents to ensure communication. The area is represented by council member Johnny Gaffney, who leaves this month after resigning to run for the Legislature.
“It appears I’ve been elected their de facto representative on the council,” Lumb said.
He agreed everything is being done to restore electricity to the townhomes as soon as possible.
“The city has not been dragging its feet,” Lumb said. “There are 60 people inside city government working on it.”
Robinson said in addition to closing Liberty Street near the Riverwalk, Coastline Drive between Liberty and Market streets is closed and the section of the Riverwalk near the collapse also is closed to pedestrians. Robinson said during the initial inspection of the collapse, cracks were observed in the walkway.
“Most likely, those were already there,” he said.
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