JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The new Duval County courthouse is finally open. Inside, things are running smoothly. But outside is a different story.
No matter how you look at it, from a birds eye view or street level, parking is a problem at the new courthouse. Some 3,000 people visit the building everyday. It's having a major impact on people like Carrie Topoulos. "It's a pain in the butt."
Action News learned, the group really hit hard by the issue is the hundreds of attorneys who now have to huff it from their offices located blocks away near the old courthouse. Under the hot summer sun and dressed in a sharp suit, you can expect Craig Williams to find a way around walking.
"On a day like today when its 90 degrees trying to walk in our suits we just had our secretary drop us off. Clearly there's not enough parking to accommodate everyone," said Attorney Craig Williams.
If you're lucky enough to find a spot, it's going to cost you. Street parking is 50 cents an hour while the lot across from the courthouse is $2 for the first hour and $1.50 every half hour after that. The closest parking garage is $2 an hour up with a $10 max. But we did find a few who are taking advantage of the new courthouse's location. With her office about a mile away, attorney Shelly Thibodeau packs her purse with an extra item.
"I am bringing my sneakers with me to the courthouse everyday. So I plan on walking when it's nice out like today and if it's raining I'll have to catch a ride," said Thibodeau.
City officials say there are plenty of spots open surrounding the new courthouse. There are 8,000 metered spaces within three blocks of the courthouse, but many say that in rain or extreme heat, three blocks is too far to walk.
