Q: Can you give us an update on the progress by Parks and Rec with regard to refurbishing the Switzerland Community Center?
A: According to staff as of April 17, they are progressing through the structural analysis and future visioning for the site. The draft structural reports and current condition assessments are being developed. Additionally, they have submitted a request to the SJC Development Review Committee to confirm the site opportunities and constraints that we will utilize in conceptual site planning. Departments that have provided feedback so far are: Planning and Zoning, Environmental; Cultural and Historical; Department of Health; Fire Services; and Utilities. There are Land Development Code requirements (Northwest Sector Overlay District compliance, development setbacks, landscape buffers, parking requirements, sewer connectivity, fire hydrant and suppression systems, etc.) for this site which we must work through. The intent is to bring a presentation / discussion to the Northwest Tower Committee and Bartram Scenic Highway groups upon completion.
Q: Can you share information about the new fire stations that were recently approved by the Board of County Commissioners?
A: We approved the funding mechanism to build four new fire stations over the next six years, three of which are in the northern part of the county. Each will have an SJSO substation attached. We are using impact fees and state funds to finance the construction.
Q: Also, there are new parks coming online?
A: Yes, we also approved a $123 million regional park plan to build four brand new parks and do a complete overhaul of Davis Park in Nocatee. Of interest to readers of The CreekLine:
Greenbriar Road, 30 acres to include baseball, softball and pickleball courts.
Shearwater to include basketball and pickleball courts.
Across from Shearwater, a Sportsplex with eight multipurpose fields which can be used for football, soccer, lacrosse and even baseball and softball. One cool feature will be a stadium field with a track around it. This will be the first in the county that’s not at a school and will be open to the public.
All four parks are fast tracked and scheduled to be open by the end of 2026, using impact fees from developers as well as state funds.
Q: How were you able to fund these worthwhile and much needed projects without the sales tax proposed a couple of years ago or funds from property taxes?
A: Our budget director, Jesse Dunn, along with County Administrator Joy Andrews and Public Works Director Greg Caldwell came together and did everything in their power to creatively fund these projects. We have two bonds totalling $170 million, while the proposed sales tax was projected to provide $500 million. So, these projects do not represent a replacement for the sales tax projects, but we feel like we addressed the most critical needs.
Q: Can you give insight on the county’s purchase of the World Golf Village sites?
A: The plan is for us to find a good use for the community. We heard loud and clear from neighbors that they didn’t want a theme park (actually had been proposed) or multifamily housing on this site. We want to have control over the property and if we let the current owners sell the sites piecemeal, some of these undesirable uses might have happened. I think it’s a great site for a library and that is being investigated. Basically, we thought it better to wait for the right use at this point. The IMAX theater will remain open.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 1?
A: The county just kicked off its “Enjoy, Don’t Destroy” anti-vandalism campaign. We spend tens of thousands of dollars cleaning up vandalism perpetrated by members of our community, often kids. The message is: this has a high cost, is not funny, and has a serious impact on your tax dollars.
And in exciting news, West Augustine was ranked first in the state for placement of the state’s Black History Museum, which will be all state-funded. We are going to Tallahassee on Friday, April 19 for a meeting and then the final decision for placement will be made this summer.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?
A: Readers can email me at bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us or call me at (904) 584-5348.
