2014-190 Southbank Riverwalk in front of the Duval County School Board

[Noone]

I say yes. Rumor has it that the plan is to tear it down and not replace it.  So we are losing more Public Access and Economic Opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

[thelakelander]

If the wooden dock is structurally safe, we'd be better off leaving it instead of paying to tear it down and not replace it.  Is there enough land to place a more naturally sustainable path on land paralleling the river, since COJ can't afford to build an expensive concrete structure?

[Noone]

^Lake I would say that the short answer is yes.

I was there today and launched at the Tom Ingram Kayak launch that was a FIND recommendation during what use to be very open and Public opportunities for participation. This is next to the Southbank Riverwalk. When I arrived a guy named Scott was fishing from the Riverwalk and as I was getting ready to launch we were talking and I'm telling him to enjoy it because when those cranes and barges get down here your spot is gone forever. He even brought up the old Fuller Warren bridge not me and how the city missed an opportunity with that one. Was I tempted to tell him all about that one 2005-207.

City council tomorrow. DIA on Wend. On 2/28/14 is supposed to be another DIA meeting and a report on the Southbank Riverwalk project. DIA CEO Aundra Wallace is being made to be the fall guy for this. ( I feel so sorry for the man). This piece of Jacksonville history what remains of the wooden Southbank Riverwalk needs to happen immediately. CRA/DIA in the USA can have this included. That is a FACT.

I have been in touch with my elected Duval County School Board Representative and have spoken at one Duval County School Board meeting. Both have been very positive experiences.

As a community lets all know that this $15,000,000 Southbank Riverwalk Project has never been before Waterways. I have been completely and totally blown off by my elected district representative. not  just on this issue but so many others. I'll post more on another thread.

Duval County School Board/our River/ A teachable moment
OR
Visit Jacksonville! A F city

[Noone]

This poll is on fire. Thank you for voting.

[Noone]

A bunch of sparks flying on this poll.

[Traveller]

Can we at least replace the boards with something that has a coefficient of friction greater than zero when wet? 

[carpnter]

I know that the extension from the Wyndham to the School Board Building was an alternate in the bid.  I guess that the price came in too high for the base package to add that segment.   This project was in planning way before Aundra Wallace came to Jacksonville, making him the fall guy for this is ridiculous. 

[Noone]

Spoke with Scott Wilson today and they are also not clear as to what is exactly being restored and where. Feel free to jump in here Scott. Scott mentioned that some of the wood needs to be replaced. So replace some of the wood.

What a joke if this is torn out. It is time sensitive and was there today with someone else and there are some positive benefits for saving this for the Public. We took a look at the cranes removing the pilings at the Main St. bridge and I mentioned to him that this issue will be discussed at a DIA meeting on 2/28/14.

Very nice response on the poll. Please vote.

This positive piece of Jacksonville history needs to be saved.

[Noone]

Can we at least replace the boards with something that has a coefficient of friction greater than zero when wet? 

+1 And according to Scott Wilson and our phone call yesterday that is the primary issue. So let's just replace some boards. instead of this accelerated demolition. And believe it or not It could be saved and used if one person sends an email or just asks.

[Noone]

I know that the extension from the Wyndham to the School Board Building was an alternate in the bid.  I guess that the price came in too high for the base package to add that segment.   This project was in planning way before Aundra Wallace came to Jacksonville, making him the fall guy for this is ridiculous. 

Aundra Wallace is the new guy. I just feel sorry for people who when they come to our community brand spanking new and then are to be expected to have all the answers in a snap of there fingers.

So the extension from the Wyndham to the DCSB was an alternate bid? When did that happen? How much? Once this Public Access is ripped out its not coming back.

Was out there yesterday and the Riverwalk does appear rougher from the Wyndham down but drastically improves around the School Board.

What this community needs to know immediately is that a strong potential exists right now to incorporate the new CRA/BID that is going to be one document. And if you utilize TIF funds that are available right now it can be incorporated in the legislation that will be advanced to city council for approval. So the money is there to replace some wood.

What needs to happen today is the political will and courage of Mayor Brown, School Superintendent Vitti along with the DCSB, The DIA Board, Jacksonville city council.

Public, Private, Partnership

Continue to vote.

[Noone]

Continue to vote. Once it's ripped out its gone. Has one person reached out to anyone and can share an update?

[carpnter]

I know that the extension from the Wyndham to the School Board Building was an alternate in the bid.  I guess that the price came in too high for the base package to add that segment.   This project was in planning way before Aundra Wallace came to Jacksonville, making him the fall guy for this is ridiculous. 

Aundra Wallace is the new guy. I just feel sorry for people who when they come to our community brand spanking new and then are to be expected to have all the answers in a snap of there fingers.

So the extension from the Wyndham to the DCSB was an alternate bid? When did that happen? How much? Once this Public Access is ripped out its not coming back.

Was out there yesterday and the Riverwalk does appear rougher from the Wyndham down but drastically improves around the School Board.

What this community needs to know immediately is that a strong potential exists right now to incorporate the new CRA/BID that is going to be one document. And if you utilize TIF funds that are available right now it can be incorporated in the legislation that will be advanced to city council for approval. So the money is there to replace some wood.

What needs to happen today is the political will and courage of Mayor Brown, School Superintendent Vitti along with the DCSB, The DIA Board, Jacksonville city council.

Public, Private, Partnership

Continue to vote.

I don't know what the final cost was for that alternate (There were also at least 4 other alternates), but I do know for a fact that it was an alternate.  I would think that the pricing for the project and its alternates is public record. 

[Noone]

^Appreciate the response back. 15 days out from the next full meeting of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission. Who has the power to immediately put a moratorium on the Southbank Riverwalk demolition in front of the DCSB building so that it can be included in the CRA?

Mayor Brown where are you on this?

Jacksonville city council meeting just 1 1/2 hours out.

Keep voting. Sparks are flying.

[Noone]

Please Vote. Your VOTE represents a moral compass for you and a broken compass on Public Access to our St. Johns  River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted (Food Truck) DIA zone.

I attended the 2/26/14 DIA Special meeting at 10 am and for me and the city of Jacksonville it was worth waiting 5 hours and at the very end of the meeting during Public Comment to make a motion that "The DIA will seek to have the demolition of the Southbank Riverwalk stop at the Duval County Public Schools Building so that it can be immediately added to the CRA and use TIF Funds for the repairs that are needed to replace some wood according to Scott Wilson and Don Redman". The motion was rejected.

But super props to DIA Board chairman Oliver Barakat for entertaining such a motion and that only happened because right before me Agenda item V. New Business Jacksonville city council liaison Lori Boyer suggested to the Board that they take a position on Food Trucks. I'm not sure if the Board responded because this meeting ended up being catered or at the very end of the meeting the mention of Food Trucks but the gas kicked in and a motion was made and passed to support Food Trucks.

So here was the agenda
Members
Oliver Barakat- Chairman
James Bailey- Vice Chairman
Kay Harper Williams- Secretary
Tony Allegretti- Board member
Melody Bishop- Board member
Jack Meeks- Board member
Michael Saylor- Board member
No Shows- Craig Gibbs
                 Robert Clements

I. Call to order - Chairman Barakat
    Presentation of Mayor Brown's Retirement Reform Proposal, Chris Hand

II. Action Items
     Approval of the Dec. 18, 2013 DIA Regular Meeting minutes
     Approval of the Jan. 15, 2014 DIA Regular Meeting minutes

Public Comments on Action Items
     1. Resolution 2014-02-02- A resolution of the Downtown Investment Authority authorizing the approval of a grant up to $79,802 from the Historic Preservation Trust Fund for the facade and exterior rehabilitation, restoration and code improvements at 120 E. Forsyth
      2. Resolution 2014-02-03- A Resolution of the Downtown Investment Authority allocating $25,000 in event contribution funds to support One Spark
       3. resolution 2014-02-04 - A Resolution of the Downtown Investment AuthorityAuthorizing the Adoption of the Downtown Jacksonville Retail Enhancement Grant Program Guidelines

III. Information/Discusion Items
      Downtown Incentives; CRA Update; and the direction of the Business Investment and Development "BID" Plan

IV. Old Business

V. New Business

VI. Public Comments

VII. Adjournment

A New Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

Duval County School Board meeting 5 days out.

Public, Private, Partnership

Duval County School Board/ Our River/ A teachable moment
Or
Visit Jacksonville- A F City

[Noone]

Thank You all for voting.

Where is the Riverkeeper?