There was initially excitement about the Berkman II being constructed until a part of the parking garage to the building collapsed while it was being built. The incident killed Willie Edwards III and injuring 23 other people.
For years, Edwards’s family waited patiently for the unfixed structure to be torn down. Councilman Reginald Gaffney talked to News4Jax just moments before the partially built building came down. He also had a message for the Edwards family.
“I get an opportunity every once in a while, to talk to his family and they have been asking me, Councilman Gaffney, when are we going to bring this structure down. But I want to say to the family today we can bring some closure to his life,” said Gaffney.
“To the family, thank y’all so much for being patient. I wish I could’ve moved it faster but I know you lost loved, but at the end of the day those memories when you come downtown will not be here again,” said Gaffney.
Before this morning, the Berkman II had been standing unfinished for over 14 years.