Tension amid emergency funding for Hemming Park

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Many council members felt blindsided when the group tasked with revitalizing Hemming Park came to the council Tuesday night saying it needed more money or the park would have to shut down.

The city ultimately agreed to give the group a $100,000 bailout.

“A week ago, you had an opportunity in several committees to say, I'm running out of money in two to three weeks.' That never occurred?” City Councilman Matt Schellenberg asked.

“Trust is a huge issue,” said City Councilman Al Ferraro. “In private industry, I'd fire you right now just because I was left out.”

Sarah Collins with Friends of Hemming Park said the problems started when a $250,000 deal with Community First to build a stage fell through at the last minute.

“I think like (Bill) Gulliford said, our original contract was only 18 months, so we always knew that funding would be needed to get us from February to September to match up with the fiscal year,” Collins said.

Councilman Scott Wilson voted "no" to giving the group the additional funding.

“I was a little surprised that they were completely out of funding,” Wilson said. “They only had like a week's supply left so that was a shocker to me, yes.”

“I don't think Friends of Hemming Park would be out. I think we need to have that discussion to program Hemming Plaza or Hemming Park, whether it's Friends of Hemming Park or the city of Jacksonville,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he was not comfortable with how much money the city has given Friends of Hemming Park. Other council members have suggested the group should have to secure funding from private businesses.

Friends of Hemming Park will have to make the $100,000 last until August, which is when the council will vote on the additional $150,000.

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