JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Action News is digging deeper to find out why three buildings built under the Better Jacksonville Plan have something wrong with them.
More than a decade ago, a two billion dollar plan started to make a better Jacksonville. It included new roadways, buildings and a better quality of life. Now fast forward to 2012. Three of the major buildings all have a problem. They're leaking.
"Of course there's a concern. They shouldn't be. Basically it looks like it comes down to shoddy work when it was built," said Vice President of City Council Bill Bishop.
Action News uncovered water marks that lined the roof of the library as books were covered with tarps. That building is not even seven years old. Bricks are falling from the sides of the Veterans Memorial Arena and it's leaking too. That building is not even nine years old. Even the new courthouse has already had a pipe burst and it's not even open yet. "This shouldn't happen in buildings this new," said Bishop.
Now Councilman Bishop has an even bigger concern, your money. "We paid for them once. We shouldn't have to pay for them again," said Bishop.
We went to the Director of Public Works, who admits the buildings weren't quite done right. We asked him if that means it'll cost taxpayers more money. "Well as for the arena, Turner is bellying up for that. With the library, that's yet to be determined," said Jim Robinson.
Robinson wouldn't really say one way or the other, but he did say the library is being bid out to fix some problems, which could mean thats more of your money being spent. While he wouldn't say how much, Councilman Bishop says taxpayers have already spent nearly 600 million dollars on the buildings. "The taxpayers should not have to do this," said Bishop.
Turner, the company that build the arena and courthouse, is taking care of the bill for the arena. They sent Action News a statement saying they are committed to long term satisfaction on their projects. The company that did the library has not returned our calls.
For more information on the Better Jacksonville Plan, click on the link on the Action Button.
