JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City Council voted 16-2 Tuesday night to approve $100,000 for Hemming Park operating expenses.
The group that stepped in to run Hemming Park said it might have shut down if it didn't get more money from the city.
That claim was a surprise for many council members, who took up the issue at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
The organization, Friends of Hemming Park, told reporters they ran out of money in a week. Dr. Wayne Woods, president of the board, and CEO Vince Cavin said the issue stems from a misunderstanding about some private support from Community First Bank and how the money would be used.
In a committee meeting Tuesday afternoon, a compromise was reached concerning park funding. The Friends of Hemming Park had requested $250,000, but council members proposed $100,000 instead to get the group through the summer.
"This will carry us through the next four months. Then we have some events planned, which should bring additional funding," Cavin said. "I'm sorry if we didn't disclose earlier on. We'll do a better job in the future. I promise you that."
But several City Council members were upset despite the group's explanation.
"I share the frustration of my colleagues, councilman (Matt) Schellenberg, councilman (Tommy) Hazzouri. I've had multiple conversations. The more they talk, the less confidence I have in their ability to spend the city's taxpayer dollars wisely, efficiently, and even leverage those dollars," Councilman John Crescembeni said.
Hemming Park has changed a great deal and has become a downtown destination for some.
“I love coming out here on my lunch break,” Marylyn Springer said. “It gives me a little down time. I enjoy my lunch and listen to a little music.”
The park wasn't always so popular.
It used to be a gathering place for homeless people and panhandlers.
The Friends of Hemming Park made a deal with the city to spend $1 million to fix up the park.
Part of that plan was that the park would become self-sustaining, but the group still needs help from the city and just recently let it be known that it was in trouble.
“At this point we would have to shut down after June 1,” said Sarah Collins, with Friends of Hemming Park.
The group said some deals fell through, including a new stage that would have been paid for by contributions.
During a special council committee meeting Tuesday, the group went over the books, and the compromise was reached.
“We love what is going on there,” City Council member Lori Boyer said. “We are very happy with the level of programing, the level of landscaping and activity that they got going on, but the private sector has not stepped up in the way they had hoped, to support the park.”
The Friends of Hemming Park said that it wanted more money, but the group will try to make it work.
“We can survive, but it's going to be difficult to keep the same level of programing in the park,” Wayne Wood said.
After the summer, it will be up to the mayor to decide how much the group might get in the next budget to continue operating.
Some council members said something has to change.
“There is something wrong, and it needs to be fixed,” Crescimbeni said. “We can't keep throwing money over there without a solution.”
The park is still working with private donors to eventually build a stage and bring in kiosks and restaurants.