Wednesday Editorial: Thumbs down on missing plans for a jail move

A budget is a statement of priorities, so from a Downtown perspective it was revealing to see a draft of the city's capital spending priorities.

Thumbs down: No jail plan

Despite statements from Mayor Lenny Curry that the jail has outlived its usefulness, there is no mention of a new jail in the capital outlay plan through 2024, reported the Times-Union's David Bauerlein.

We at least need to see a plan. When the jail was constructed, the Downtown riverfront was an industrial area; a riverfront jail didn't look as out of place as it does now.

In addition jails receive heavy use around the clock, which makes the current jail even more problematic because it's in a flood zone; just imagine what would happen if a hurricane required the entire jail to be evacuated.

Thumbs up: Taking resiliency seriously

Jacksonville leaders are beginning to address the long-term threats of sea level rise and storm surge. While those threats include much of Florida, Hurricane Irma revealed that Downtown has some serious resiliency issues.

There is $500,000 to pay for a study that would recommend long-term construction projects. This is complicated because a return on investment must be calculated; seawalls are expensive to build, so they should only be used for the most valuable business and historic areas.

Nashville, for instance, has bought more than 400 homes in flood-prone areas since 1998, reported The New York Times. Jacksonville has just started doing this with federal help in the South Shores area near the Southbank.

The Northeast Florida Regional Council has been quietly leading the way with a business-oriented, risk management approach that fits Jacksonville's culture, but our city needs to do more to address resiliency.

Thumbs up: Support for Emerald Trail

While the construction schedule was pushed back for a redevelopment along McCoys Creek, that is routine. The funding strategy for this project is now finally on paper, and that's good to see. So much is happening in the McCoys Creek area with the redevelopment of the creek bank, the first model mile of the Emerald Trail through LaVilla and more.

Thumbs up: Florida Theatre upgrades

Improvements for the Florida Theatre are budgeted over a five-year period; the city would contribute $5 million and the nonprofit running the theater would raise the other half. While the theater is a spectacular venue, it could use a few upgrades.

Thumbs up: Overlooked no more

Thumbs up to the fact that Jacksonville -- both Downtown and all across the city -- is popping up more and more on lists of cool cities.

How about a list that includes Palm Springs, Charleston, Newport, Reno, San Antonio and Jacksonville? Well, those locations are on a list of the top 10 cities for single travelers ages 65 and older, as compiled by the AARP Travel Center.

The list cites our city's "strong arts scene and warm weather" and proclaims that "a trip to Jacksonville is unforgettable."

___

(c)2019 The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Visit The Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville, Fla.) at www.jacksonville.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.