A different
approach to leveraging state dollars will face two tests Tuesday as
Jacksonville tries to preserve its Preservation Project dollars.
Mayor John Delaney's office wants use $25 million, combined with
about $20 million from the state, to begin purchasing significant
portions of 39,000 acres of undeveloped land in northeast Duval
County. One purchase targets a minimum of 5,500 acres from the
nearly 32,000-acre Pumpkin Hill Creek properties, which will extend
the Timucuan Preserve. Undeveloped uplands among 7,000 acres along
the Intracoastal Waterway also will be purchased to create the
Northeast Florida Blueway.
Three City Council committees unanimously approved the project
and the full council should vote Tuesday, the same day the plan goes
to the state Cabinet for approval.
The city typically asks for state participation on each
individual property it purchases, but this time is asking for help
to begin negotiations with the 38 different property owners. The
city can then have all the appraisals done at the same time and
begin talking with landowners quicker, to determine which land it
will be able to buy, said Mark Middlebrook, who oversees the
Preservation Project.
This method would save the city at least a year in acquiring the
land and give the city a little more comfort -- though no guarantees
-- that the funding will be there, though the state is grappling
with its budget.
"We're seeking to be very competitive in a competitive market,"
Middlebrook said.
The state funding is part of the $1 billion Florida Forever
program, previously known as the Conservation and Recreation Lands
(CARL) program, to purchase undeveloped land across the state. Those
dollars are earmarked for conservation, but Middlebrook said the
city is concerned the amount may get a second look if the state
budget crunch continues into the 2002-03 fiscal year.
The city is kicking in money from its own conservation program,
the $362 million Preservation Project touted by Delaney.
Since the program began in 1999, the city and its various
partners have bought more than 53,000 acres, blocking them from
development. While the goal of the program is toas much of the
land as possible to public use, it cannot be used for ball fields or
other active park uses.
The land can be used for hiking, biking, canoeing, camping and
other activities, but Councilman Lad Daniels said he's concerned the
city is buying land that could be used for needed fields.
"We're taking property off the tax rolls that's bigger than
Shamu," said Daniels, who supported the bill in two committees last
week. "When do the folks get to use it?"
Staff writer Matt Galnor can be reached at or via
e-mail at mgalnor.
