JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new project is underway to improve the drainage system in the Magnolia Gardens area. It's the first of many projects that are part of the Renew Jacksonville initiative, which was approved by City Council to enhance the infrastructure in Northwest and East Jacksonville.
Community members and city officials said the project is long overdue, because when it storms in the area, a drainage ditch overflows and floods the streets.
"I've lived here since 1952, and of course, we've had problems with the drainage," Magnolia Gardens resident Ella Ree Watson said. "It would come up very high when it rained, and so they worked with us somewhat."
City council members said the Avenue B drainage improvement project is not only going to address the safety concerns but also build up the economy.
"It used to flood like mad," Magnolia Gardens president Gadson Burgess said. "We've been living in the area since 1954."
But soon, those issues will go away, officials said at Tuesday's groundbreaking.
The project includes the enclosure of a deep ditch along Avenue B from Moncrief Road to Edgewood Avenue with the construction of a 1,360-foot box culvert. There will also be a protective barrier between the roadway and drainage ditch.
The project will cost more than $3 million, with $850,000 coming from federal funding and $2.25 million that the city has already allocated from the storm water utility fees.
"It was our intent to make sure that we go block-by-block where there's no infrastructure and replace it with infrastructure," City Councilman Reggie Brown said. "Our community deserves it. I'm committed to it."
Improving the drainage system will reduce the amount of flooding during heavy storms, will increase the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and will reduce the erosion of homes and businesses that border the drainage ditch.
"We believe in these neighborhoods. We have to restore these neighborhoods, and we have to improve them, and that's what we're doing today," Mayor Alvin Brown said.
And the community couldn't be happier about the changes that will be made.
"My wife and I are excited. Members of our neighborhood association are excited," Burgess said. "Like us, they never thought it would happen."
"I go home and do a little shout and do a little scream," Watson said.
City officials said construction for the drainage improvement project is going to last about six months.
Several other areas around Jacksonville will also be getting some drainage and infrastructure improvements. For a complete list and details on those projects, go to http://www.coj.net/welcome/docs/renewjax-info-sheets.aspx.