Downtown Jacksonville residents who’ve been without power after the partial collapse of Liberty Street are facing nearly two more weeks before JEA says it can provide temporary relief. Riverfront townhome owners plan to ask for help from the Jacksonville City Council at tonight’s meeting.
Since power went out 10 days ago at a riverfront complex, Al Emerick, his wife, two sons and pets have been staying in hotels. The family rents their townhome, which Emerick says makes them luckier than some. Florida law allows them to break their lease and move after seven days without power. And it's an option he says they're reluctantly taking.
“We don’t want to leave here. This is a place we love and adore. We came down here to be where we are," he said. "That said, we’ll also have to pick up any costs. Renter’s insurance doesn’t cover this type of thing.”
Others who own their townhomes are wondering when repairs will finish on the partially collapsed street—and how much they’ll have to pay for it. City Councilman Robin Lumb tells our partners News4Jax several residents plan to address the Council at tonight’s meeting.
