JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A brief meeting in the mayor’s office shared how capital improvement funds could be spent over the next five years.
Right now, the draft for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) could total $1.9 billion from Fiscal Year 2025 through 2029.
Funding will go to several categories, including public safety, infrastructure, roads, public facilities, parks, preservation and environmental.
Here’s a look at some of the proposed funding items:
- The Florida Theatre - $1.5 million
- James Weldon Johnson Park - $6 million
- Hogan’s Creek Stormwater Improvements over $16 million
- MOSH would be awarded $50 million as it prepares to move locations to the Northbank
- New fire stations 66, 67, and 77 for over $38 million
- Public Library - Brown Eastside Branch Replacement - $8.1 million
- Countywide parks and recreation projects - $2.5 million
Separate from the CIP discussion, retired city workers are asking for a one-time payment of over $10 million due to the increased cost of living.
John Keane, President of the Retired Employee Association, asked for the payment on behalf of the retirees.
“Some senior city retirees, they don’t even receive Medicare,” Keene said. “They retired before Medicare was enacted with their pension. With the record high inflation over the past few years our members, the people who built this city that you all are managing for us now, are especially hurt by soaring food and commodity prices.”
If approved, approximately 8,000 retirees would get a one-time payment of $1,250. For now, the proposal needs to be assessed and a funding source must be determined.
Mayor Donna Deegan has a July 8 deadline to make a decision on the millions of dollars that would help sustain the infrastructure and condition of city resources.
Between now and next week, the CIP could change.
The final vote will be held on Sept. 24.