Ask the DIA to remove park lands from DIA Resolution 2021-02-02

On Wednesday, February 17th at 2 pm, the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) is seeking approval of Resolution 2021-02-02, an access agreement which would allow a private developer, Iguana, to conduct environmental testing on the western 8-acre portion of Metropolitan Park, the former Kids Kampus. This is not the area subject to the National Park Service. In addition, Iguana seeks access for testing on the Shipyards Parcel that begins east of Hogan’s Creek.  The testing access is a step towards potential development of the property.

The meeting is open to the public, with public comments accepted via email, zoom or in person.

Our Position: 

  1. We support keeping our entire Metropolitan Park intact. Metropolitan Park belongs to the people of Jacksonville, and no portion of the park should be given away or sold to private interests.
  2. We ask that the DIA remove the Kids Kampus park lands, RE 130572 0100, from this resolution and cease plans for the potential development of any part of Metropolitan Park.
  3. We need more parks and river access in downtown, not less. Metropolitan Park can become part of a larger vision for a riverfront park system. A vibrant, resilient “Riverfront for All.”

DIA Meeting Information:  The website has all meeting information and agenda packets.

Meeting Date & Time:  Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 2 p.m.  Public comments are at the start of each meeting,

Participate: by zoom, in person, or via email

PHYSICAL LOCATION
Jacksonville Public Library-Main Library/Downtown
303 North Laura Street
Multipurpose Room (located in the Conference Center)
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Via Zoom: Meeting ID: 940 7401 7448, Passcode: 642945

Via Email:  Comments to be read at the meeting can be emailed to Ina Mezini at RMezini@coj.net up to 2:05 p.m. on February 17th, 2021.

REFERENCE:

Metropolitan Park is a 23-acre public riverfront park consisting of a 14.3-acre “festival lawn” next to WJCT (restricted), and the 8.6-acre park formerly known as “Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park,” which is still home to the Fire Museum and fronted by the 78-slip Metropolitan Park Marina. 

Resolution 2021-02-02

MAPS – Resolution 2020-02-02_Riverfront Parks Now – We have created these maps from the information provided in the resolution, because the only map that is provided is the lands excluded.