$147 million secured for Emerald Trail

[Florida Power And Light]

At ready (alternative) Revenue $$$ may have been a factor in the Fed stop. Trump Fed Stop was a given. (By the way-how many $$$$$$ dedicated to Big beautiful b i l l for "Defense"?.)
Let's now see details on Alternative Funding.
Too bad this project/concept was not Presented and Implemented decades ago.
Big Bold City. Maybe lock down (back then) future land use and zone.  Duval Substantilal Land Use & Zone Revision 'Request', far flung Towne Cener..."Et Al"...( But one of many examples). Sprawl proposals Denied.Maybe even the First Coast beltway Early roceedings....Focus on the ...well...what was the term...Ha!.....CORE!.
And "comprehensive river restoration". The "Little" Creeks drive the Narrative.
State Ocklawaha/Rodman Restoration budget funds veto by Desantis.
Perfect denounement for Trump and DeSantis.
Shucks- I will be far away from Jax When and If The Trail Happens.
At least I will not be subjugated to a Political Press Event pictured in a kayak next to Joe Carlucci.By then,probaly his Son.

[urban_]

This is a tragedy. We will have to push on. I can only hope that some local folks can pick up some of the slack.

[Fallen Buckeye]

I know the Emerald Trail is an ambitious project, but it does seem like a high price tag considering significant sections have already been built and paid for in conjunction with other projects.

For example, I'm looking at the 2021 master plan and the 4.1 mile westside connector section was estimated to cost over $37 million in 2021 dollars. That's over $9 million per mile. If you account for inflation, that's over $10.7 million per mile.

The 3.5 mile Northwest Connector section was projected $33,310,922 in 2021 dollars. That comes $9.5 million per mile in 2021 dollars or $11.2 million when adjusted for inflation.

I'm not an expert, but it definitely feels like there are ways to still build something great for less.

https://www.groundworkjacksonville.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/EmeraldTrailMasterPlanReport-rev-8-21.pdf

[Pottsburg]

The mayor getting all political on this immigration issue and making a scene definitely didn't help the situation.  Sometimes you just have to play nice, soapboxing against an issue that is the biggest priority for the administration that ultimately has a say when it comes to the purse, and a issue that more than half the country is in favor of has consequences.
If you want to credit donna for getting the money then you cant blame other people for taking it.   

[Charles Hunter]

Huh? The entire nationwide funding category was recalled by the current administration. It included the word "equity" in the title. Mayor Deegan could have worshipped at the altar of 47, and these funds would still be gone.

[jaxlongtimer]

Trump is killing projects like the Trail and DeSantis isn't far behind, killing funding for removing the Rodman Dam, that most everyone (e.g bipartisan) has now come around to that it is time to go.  (Not to mention, it is near the end of its useful life and may self destruct so no politico will ever have to take a stand on it.  Shameful.)

[thelakelander]

The mayor getting all political on this immigration issue and making a scene definitely didn't help the situation.  Sometimes you just have to play nice, soapboxing against an issue that is the biggest priority for the administration that ultimately has a say when it comes to the purse, and a issue that more than half the country is in favor of has consequences.
If you want to credit donna for getting the money then you cant blame other people for taking it.   

Nothing the mayor could have done about this one once Trump came into office. We needed to have the contract executed prior to Biden leaving office. Unfortunately, we didn't.

[Tacachale]

The mayor has never "made a scene" on immigration and we worked very closely with our (all Republican) congressional delegation to get the grant. Most of the time when she's even spoken on the issue has been when local politicians have dragged the city into it such as vetoing Rory Diamond's recent bill — those instances are definitely examples of stepping way out of their lane and making a scene. But as others have said, none of that had anything to do with why the grant was cancelled.