Concerns raised over new Southbank Riverwalk safety, user-friendliness

Public works director says next week's opening is tentative

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Angry City Council members are peppering the director of Public Works with questions about the width of the new Southbank Riverwalk. They said they are concerned about safety and whether the new walkway will be user-friendly.

The City Council is asking for answers from director Jim Robinson, both on the timeline for completion of repairs and replacement of the Riverwalk. He was also pressed about the width.

"I'm looking at a picture on Google Earth. It was a lot wider than a 7-foot walking distance," Councilman Bill Bishop said. "There really was 7-8 effective feet. What we have here is a really skinny Riverwalk and we paid a lot of money for it."

But Robinson said the dimensions haven't changed since the plans were announced in 2011.

"That's a fact. Any of the issues that arise about that are unfortunate, but the width is the same today as it was back in that time," Robinson said.

IMAGES: First look at rebuilt Southbank Riverwalk

Following the meeting, Councilman John Crescimbeni complained that the product doesn't make sense to him and neither does the process.

"Apparently there's been some design snafus and now they're going to spend more taxpayer money to fix the design," he said. "The improvements they've already spent taxpayer money on to put in place in the first place. And I just hate to waste money like that. It makes no sense to me. We're supposed to be hiring professional design people, and if they can't figure out that an oversized bench is going to block the walkway and prevent required pedestrian access, then we shouldn't be using those design professionals."

Robinson pointed out that this has been a long process. He also pushed back at the surprise of City Council, saying the opening of the Riverwalk next week is tentative.


About the Author:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.