JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The city of Jacksonville is forming a task force to address the Phoenix Area Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project after residents raised concerns about more than $1.6 million in unused infrastructure funds.
The initiative was originally funded with $2.5 million in the 2018–2019 fiscal year budget to build sidewalks and improve safety on Jacksonville’s east side.
The project funding was approved under former Mayor Lenny Curry’s administration. City officials confirmed that $887,441 of the original budget has been spent on sidewalk improvements to date, leaving approximately $1.6 million remaining for additional work.
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Kim Black, an Eastside resident who grew up in Jacksonville, began asking city leaders about infrastructure funding while being considered for a local grants program. “Not any of the councilmen that I asked the question could answer that question for me,” Black said.
She noted that pedestrian improvements are necessary for families who navigate the area daily. “I drive these streets every day, taking my daughter to Springfield Middle School in the neighboring neighborhood,” Black said. “So yeah, we have money that we could spend to improve walkability on the east side.”
Other local residents voiced similar concerns regarding neighborhood infrastructure and child safety. Samone Holmes, a Phoenix area resident, said sidewalks and playgrounds in the community need attention. “I feel like it should be safer for the kids because everybody around here got small kids,” Holmes said.
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In response to community inquiries, the city stated that it plans to assemble a task force to move the project forward. The group will include Phoenix-area residents, local business owners, Public Works personnel and Planning Department staff. City officials confirmed they still intend to direct the remaining project funds toward Phoenix neighborhood improvements.
“The community deserves the improvements that the city funded,” Black said. “The community has waited long enough.”
City officials plan to meet with the community next month to discuss the task force and project implementation.
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