As we look ahead to the new year, there is no question that the pandemic will continue to be the biggest story in Jacksonville and across the world, but that’s just one of the First Coast stories WJCT News will be following.
$457M Plan To Transform Lot J
January could prove to be a turning point for the long-discussed Lot J development proposed by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan.
City Council is scheduled to vote on the $457 million Lot J deal, which includes more than $230 million in city investments to transform the sports complex with a new mixed-use development that would include a live entertainment venue, hotel, apartments and more.
While Mayor Lenny Curry has been one of the massive project’s biggest cheerleaders, a UNF poll found most Jacksonville voters oppose the deal.
The Lot J project also ties in with several other plans for the area, includingKhan’s desire to build a Four Seasons Hotel at what is currently Metropolitan Park. Meanwhile, the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) plans to move to the Shipyards on the Northbank after a $5 million donation from Khan and his family.
Another potential focus in 2021 could be coming up with a plan to renovate TIAA Bank Field in order to get the Jaguars to extend their lease, which is currently scheduled to expire in 2030. The current Lot J proposal does not address the stadium's future.
The reconstruction of Gator Bowl Boulevard will also continue after the Hart Bridge ramp system was torn down in anticipation of the area's redevelopment.
Related: More Lot J News
First Coast Rollout Of COVID-19 Vaccines
With the first batches of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines now in Florida and millions of additional doses to follow, perhaps the biggest focus of 2021 will be getting as many Floridians as possible vaccinated.
Clay, Duval, St. Johns and other counties have announced rollout plans, with healthcare and long-term care facility workers along with seniors already starting to be vaccinated.
Among the questions First Coast area public and health officials will be dealing with is how to most efficiently roll out vaccinations for the general public.
How to deal with the state budget hole created by the economic ripple effect of the coronavirus pandemic will also be one of the big topics during the Florida Legislature’s 2021 annual session, which begins March 2.
Related: More Florida Legislature News
As the vaccines begin to circulate in the general population, the question from area businesses and organizations is when can they return to normal operations. Already, several big annual 2021 events have been scaled back, including the DONNA Marathon, Gate River Run and THE PLAYERS Championship.
Related: Local, State And National Coronavirus News
Duval Schools: Looking Beyond The Pandemic
The new year marks the beginning of a major building and rehabilitation program for Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). Voters decided in November to implement a half-cent sales tax to improve the infrastructure and safety of their schools.
The district has estimated the tax will bring in about $1.26 billion over 15 years. As part of the upgrade plan, DCPS wants to remove portable structures from existing schools and replace them with permanent classroom space.
Related: More Education News
JEA’s New Direction
What a difference a year makes. By July 2020, Jacksonville’s public utility had fired nine former members of its leadership team connected to the failed attempt to sell utility. The firings followed former CEO Aaron Zahn's dismissal in December of 2019.
Jay Stowe became JEA’s new CEO in November.
As 2021 begins, JEA is looking ahead to eventually receiving zero-emission power from the nuclear Plant Vogtle plant in Georgia. Construction is also underway on the utility’s new Downtown Jacksonville headquarters, and site plans have been filed for JEA’s upcoming 50-megawatt solar farm on the city’s Westside.
The City Council is also continuing to investigate JEA’s failed privatization effort.
Related: More JEA News
What's Next For The Jacksonville Landing Site?
The Jacksonville Landing met the wrecking ball in 2020, leaving a wide-open lawn and lots of questions about the site's future. In the near term, the city has dubbed the space Riverfront Plaza.
Draft documents from the Downtown Investment Authority show the city plans to spend up to $300,000 to solicit designs to develop a "park/plaza" at the site of the former festival marketplace.
The Main Street Bridge ramp next to the former Landing site is also scheduled to be demolished in 2021.
Related: More Jacksonville Landing Site News
Georgia In Nation’s Spotlight
Georgia is voting in two U.S. Senate runoff races that will determine the balance of power in Congress. Early voting is underway for the Jan. 5 election. A host of powerful GOP figures are trying to help incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Neither got more than 50% of the general election vote, resulting in runoffs against Democratic challengers.
Loeffler faces Raphael Warnock, the pastor of Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Perdue is against Jon Ossoff, who gained national attention in a 2017 special election for Congress, nearly flipping a seat long in Republican control.
WJCT News: Your Information Source For 2021
We’ll be staying on top of the stories that affect all of us in 2021. Stay with WJCT News online and on air at 89.9 FM, and be sure to join us at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 4, for the return of WJCT’s First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross as we kick off our 2021 coverage.
We’ll also continue to address our area’s preparations for rising sea levels through our ADAPT digital magazine, along with analyis and historical perspectives on Jacksonville's city planning from The Jaxson.
From all of us at WJCT News, we wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. And thank you for supporting WJCT Public Media.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
