Riverfront boardwalk construction delayed until 2019, cost could increase by $1M

You’ll have to wait a bit longer to enjoy a new Riverwalk along Coastline Drive and Liberty Street in Downtown Jacksonville.

The city is asking for more money and more time to complete the riverfront re-construction.

People who live and work near Coastline Drive and Liberty Street have a waterfront view.

But lately, they haven’t had much to look at during a jog—or even from the comfort of their balconies.

Instead, the area is filled with signs that say ‘sidewalk closed’ and other signs that  are indicative of progress being made with the riverwalk construction.

But many who live and work around there want to know when the work will finally be completed.

Action News Jax's Courtney Cole dug deeper to uncover the reasons behind the delay.

“It’s just kind of a part of the view at this point, but I look forward to some improvements being made,” said Deprincia McClain.

She told Action News Jax she feels like the project needs to be higher on the city’s priority list.

Cranes, fencing and construction equipment stand where the riverwalk is supposed to be... along Coastline Drive and Liberty Street.

“It’s not visually appealing,” said McClain.

She isn’t the only who feels this way.

“It’s a nice riverfront view here and throughout the city, and it’d be a little more pleasant not to see so many cranes and unfinished buildings around,” said Brian Rose, who works near the riverfront construction project.

The City of Jacksonville approved a $24.7M contract to create a riverwalk and remove the eyesore.

It was supposed to be ready and open to the public in the summer of 2018.

With what appears to be a lack of progress, the City of Jacksonville is also recommending the addition of putting more money into it.

One million more dollars, to be exact.

Cole wanted to know what’s holding up progress on the project and why they need more money to complete it.

She  reached out to the City of Jacksonville and they sent her this document:

It's a 110-page breakdown of the project.

After combing through it, Courtney Cole discovered the $1M  will be for a total of seven things, listed here including, but not limited to benches, trash cans, lighting and landscaping.

As far as the time delay is concerned, the city says “Hurricane Irma damage recovery, delays and other unforeseen circumstances have required a schedule extension. Future weather impacts could also require additional extensions.”

Cox Media Group