JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A riverfront building remains halfway built more than eight years after a parking garage collapse that killed a construction worker halted the project.
Berkman II has sat as an unfinished shell on the northbank of the St. Johns River since 2007, when a garage being built next to the tower collapsed, killing one worker and injuring several others.
Since then, the garage debris has been removed, but not much else has changed on the outside.
Discussion has shifted recently to whether the building, which has drawn complaints from a nearby resident, will be completed or torn down.
Glen Van Vorst filed a formal complaint in October with the city, saying the site is unsafe and violates city code.
“The building Berkman II meets every definition of a nuisance property and unsafe structure, which is already codified in our existing municipal code, but it doesn't appear to me that code enforcement or local elected officials are doing much about it,” Van Vorst said. “I think it's just systemic of how ineffective our government can be at times.”
The city was going to take action in a hearing last week but delayed its response again.
The mayor's office issued a statement about the complaints:
“The case was withdrawn from the hearing agenda to allow further communication with the owner.”
The city said the current owner, Choate Construction, received the property as part of a settlement against the previous owner. Those lawsuits were filed over the collapse against the owner and Choate, which was the builder.
Nearby residents say something has to happen.
“It's quite dangerous, actually,” Victoria Jingle said. “I'm just thinking, 'How much longer is it going to sit?'”
City Councilman Reggie Gaffney, who represents the area, said it’s one of the biggest complaints he receives from people in the area. He wants something done now.
“I can tell you this: I am beyond being frustrated to the point that I am going to be talking to the mayor's office to see if I can introduce some type of legislation or ordnance to deal with blighted projects downtown,” Gaffney said.
A spokesman for Choate said the company is trying to sell out to an apartment developer. It would be up to that company to decide the future of the building.