North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) has reached a deal to acquire a key piece of property at the corner of Kings Street and McCoys Creek Boulevard for the Emerald Trail project.
The acquisition agreement has passed Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s Budget Review Committee and is scheduled to be voted on June 22 by the City Council.
“This piece of property is a key acquisition for Phase 1 of the McCoys Creek Restoration Project and the Emerald Trail Project,” said Jim McCarthy, president of NFLT in an email to WJCT News. “It is an important piece in the plan to improve the area, restore wildlife habitats and help alleviate major flooding.”
NFLT is handling related-Emerald Trail real estate transactions on behalf of the city.
Last month the City Council passed a 6-cent gas tax hike, with approximately $132 million earmarked for the Emerald Trail.
The Emerald Trail is a planned 30-mile bicycle/pedestrian trail and park system across 14 Jacksonville urban core neighborhoods. At-Large Group 4 City Councilman Matt Carlucci said in May that $132 million is enough to fund the project.
A NFLT spokeswoman told WJCT News Thursday afternoon that NFLT has opted not to release the price of the Kings Street and McCoys Creek Boulevard land parcel before the City Council vote.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.