[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6350407,"mediaKeyId","2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420","parentId",2233244,"title","University of Florida outlines plan for downtown Jacksonville campus around Prime Osborn Convention Center","audioSeconds",1222,"startMs",1330000,"endMs",2552000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420&start=1330&end=2552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420/thumbnail_1330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350407/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/University-of-Florida-outlines-plan-for-downtown-Jacksonville-campus-around-Prime-Osborn-Convention-Center","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350407-51e5671f95434b36aac8cd9e2e4c8ab6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204984&Signature=lfB2elJ8-p9ndm5zdXc-PC~WwKqbZZmhfr~WDwqT5UkJTtg1y5ABs3pw9Eyhq0qiQwOBdE-GU4R5Bwq3hXMJ3~RINEkuks4aoSji9iHzOIwLoNziURSPcjpOxlK1graGDrLYDVPSPzJiUiH7vihA4JKQWKsfr2lteZcmGhsbQTKcf7fxND8~M0i9w2-6eAwyBlgCHKuR5X~pZ1vFXQguPHvM9YWX97FdDyreRicirPRC7jL3AEUpnSCzhbyvk~hjAzJrfwsiSN58pc-Xqy8Qs2AuJh3Tl7Ac4ut7ALaJv1RL8P30sFHxf0VidWLPUyvY9py3lcRVrl7X1RA6mF-Rmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Jacksonville, FL","date","2025-02-03T00:00:00Z","article","University of Florida representatives and the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) described an emerging plan to locate a UF downtown campus in LaVilla around the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Kirk Dudas, representing the University of Florida, said the UF Board of Trustees selected the site and directed the president and board chair to negotiate with the city. UF aims to begin initial programming in an existing building as early as August 2025, start an important business program in January 2026, and launch additional programs in fall 2026 including engineering, AI, and health sciences. UF is coordinating potential programming with the new Florida Semiconductor Institute.

Laurie Boyer, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority, said the city expects to file a redevelopment agreement and related disposition resolutions in May so council can consider the package prior to budget decisions. The plan anticipates four dispositions to UF: vacant parcels (A and B) where new construction would occur, an improved parcel at 801 West Bay for near-term classes and research space, a portion of the convention center parcel (subject to conditions) and an option for the historic train station. Boyer said the Convention Center parcel could not be taken down until at least five years after closing on A and B, and any exercise of an option to change use would require two years’ notice; the train station parcel would be constrained by its historic designation and by public-access requirements.

City staff and UF representatives said the first closing is targeted between July and December of 2025 and that design on a new flagship building could start within six months of closing. Mike Weinstein, Chief of Staff, told the committee $50 million previously appropriated for UF has not been spent; additional funding terms would be embedded in the redevelopment agreement and presented to council in May.

Committee members asked about convention-center uses, rail accommodations, parcel ownership (801 West Bay is privately owned by an LLC affiliated with Gateway and the city is negotiating acquisition), and public-access guarantees for the train station. UF and DIA officials said they will present further details in rules and finance committee meetings scheduled later in the week.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee Feb 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","UF told committee it selected LaVilla near the Prime Osborn Convention Center for a downtown campus. Initial programming could begin as early as fall 2025 in an existing building while design of a flagship building would start after closing on city parcels; the city and DIA expect to file a redevelopment agreement in May.","taxTitle","Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida","taxId",2881,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350412,"City arborist outlines plan to plant 100 trees per council district; aims for equitable canopy gains",966,364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420&start=364&end=1330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420/thumbnail_364000.jpg","/articles/6350412/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/City-arborist-outlines-plan-to-plant-100-trees-per-council-district-aims-for-equitable-canopy-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350412-e57915f8fe865849529b7ba68897e5d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204984&Signature=ivAzGPN0Zg4icrIxr4-IXnfJzN0Jr6NWFjceA3oPhbpeqSzg4oLPlsPkPcthP8rKkPW4LCHmdePsuhkLrioytWNUd7tuUCgvzE0z6ADn-miFQSNtnsV0caih0jTJVwzL~lMt~129TYe6ftQTp3HUH4Hwg8I2IeC7oHyuAtYTT6bvJtCnCLDOEq2IG9OzYt50ZcSrHYWiKHzXMFBnap0fnqQaffx~3u7kMMj2sjMGFXvno2cBWw5J4nKbUXMZOyX-MBjNDBTLsMRu5fJE60y6nhzJqrPOlEdAXbmUyO8iYcDR6KAN3TKSvNZeHu1i-ZhiMxkJLcgYXiNKg8AEJXubAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justin Gearhart, City Arborist in Public Works, told the Neighborhoods Committee the office is launching an initiative to plant at least 100 trees in each council district. The program bundles several existing efforts — “move and replace,” city giveaways, and three planting levels tailored to site conditions — and relies on partnerships with UF/IFAS extension volunteers and neighborhood groups to identify sites.

Gearhart said the program focuses on public property (rights-of-way, parks) and will not plant on private property without permission. He described site-screening criteria: soil suitability, sight lines, utility and water/sewer mains, and planned road construction. He also said the city coordinates with the Parks Department and will count tree plantings tied to city-funded work along state roads only when a maintenance agreement or other formal arrangement allows it.

Councilmembers asked about timeline and costs. Gearhart said nursery stock shortages affect scheduling and that the city currently has extractors in about 29 fire stations (a separate item discussed at the meeting). He estimated an average fully warranted right-of-way planting cost at about $2,000 per tree with a two-year warranty; using that figure, planting 1,400 trees (100 per district across 14 districts) would cost roughly $2.8 million, though he said combined warranties and cooperative homeowner agreements could lower per-tree costs in some programs.

Councilmembers and visiting members praised the initiative and asked that the arborist’s office share site lists and the one-page flyer distributed at tree giveaways. Gearhart said the office will keep councilmembers updated on plantings in their districts and present a summary when the initiative completes.","Public Works presented a plan to plant at least 100 trees in each council district. The City Arborist described multiple planting programs, constraints (utilities, FDOT rights-of-way), volunteer partnerships and an estimated per-tree cost for right-of-way plantings.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350416,"Committee approves 20-year agreement for landfill gas-to-RNG project; city to receive leachate funding and rising revenue",289,2663000,2952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420&start=2663&end=2952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6350416/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Committee-approves-20-year-agreement-for-landfill-gas-to-RNG-project-city-to-receive-leachate-funding-and-rising-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350416-317a05506a7263d967dee360f669a6d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204984&Signature=aK5XZNBTXB8YITqeGwjb2tNgrruI9Kjyt3lQJwJh2CQYAe7NBbYPvNDy~v54DeBWrtFHgFe8YYcBOUtSLEr~pRKKrmuHdmdYiyzcZR11eHArI-cozabftNR107lnHiwld4sCl9pYJ~tUh3ZYqWnt-21m352fseAA1meiadoCJvuPlPSxkUkY2wVSgEWw99NPZOhwzSFhTirFky7eAB6lrYBojiqD8f1k3jZQJxT~YRD5UAziDkz6knLJ9KRPogWeqPrqIpFdkWsDsvcYD3FBi35BltQAyFRidAAC8JXQdj1TdJovAwERZMLdnnsSstVf0Ypk0z8cQ9mf0Os60TcM2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Neighborhoods Committee voted to approve a 20-year agreement (with renewal options) that allows a private firm to build and operate a renewable natural gas facility at the city landfill.

Eric Fuller, Department of Public Works, said the private operator will construct the RNG facility and bear the capital cost. Fuller told the committee the company needs a multi-decade contract so it can recoup its investment. Fuller also said the agreement extends rights to additional landfill disposal units (Units 6–14) and any future expansion, and that the vendor will provide $1 million to support leachate-management infrastructure.

Steve Gabriel of NextEra Energy Resources told the committee the capital investment is “in the tens of millions” but did not give a final figure because contractors are still pricing the work. Fuller and other staff said the arrangement imposes no capital cost on the city and could sharply increase revenue from landfill gas operations: current annual revenues are roughly $193,500; staff and company projections given to the committee estimated revenue could rise to about $400,000 through 2029 and to roughly $2,000,000 per year after 2030 if projections hold.

Councilmembers asked about contract length and the life of landfill gas production. Fuller explained gas production follows a bell curve and may persist for decades; the 20-year contract plus renewal options is intended to align with the company’s investment cycle. The agreement as presented includes a 20-year initial term with a five-year renewal option and automatic one-year renewals thereafter if both parties agree.

The committee recorded an 8–0 vote in favor of the agreement.

The motion carried with the committee noting the city will receive upfront and projected recurring funds and that operational and environmental monitoring will remain under the city’s oversight.","The Neighborhoods Committee approved a long-term agreement to allow a private company to build a renewable natural gas (RNG) facility at the city landfill. The company will bear capital costs; the city will receive an upfront and recurring payments and expects revenue growth over time.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350420,"Jacksonville committee approves phased solid-waste fee increase after months of debate",6571,2597000,9168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420&start=2597&end=9168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2233244-56a33183b058fd1491feef2135e0d420/thumbnail_2597000.jpg","/articles/6350420/Jacksonville/Duval-County/Florida/Jacksonville-committee-approves-phased-solid-waste-fee-increase-after-months-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350420-05629b2471255c87b38a22c8e9f1f463/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204984&Signature=gm77sRLLOPf0SO5gNI8cvy~2ugtAOviDq7eMV3cTxzItZslFVHpmg5tes5qVaQVeqOaM0qF0MjHfMsa7CPLinU1WQOgSXfP8sao7SIiRpXCWLw2WwW8RjJWDCWVKHJO09pTLqANE00w4Vv6QW2gD4-I6mD-Sjxtqf3AlM7QEXNSr0mvI5ac245aUhOFIvMqAITzmpPsFXkX6WRDzSx0EPUedVqSRJnwTpS44FZ5dORF7SB7-PgOiHC495cj7BtusiB43alXrdl1VlZSzwjBXJJ~JTq2nZnom8dfUT2fptAi2QGfcVQk6ptoRyZK-ePGUwrUHJciCYn~~1Io2mr8Mhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Jacksonville Neighborhoods Committee voted to raise the city’s monthly solid-waste assessment and approved a companion exemption to limit the effect on low-income households.

Councilmember Matt Carlucci, sponsor of the fee proposal, said the increase was intended to address a growing structural shortfall in the Solid Waste Fund and to reduce the city’s reliance on general-fund subsidies. The committee then considered competing phased schedules before adopting an amendment by Councilmember Chris Miller that phases the assessment up over three years and includes an administrative annual re-application for low-income exemptions.

Supporters and auditors said the current fee level had not been adjusted for years and the fund’s deficit would grow substantially if the city did not act. Council auditors presented modeled scenarios showing different phase-in schedules would leave varying loan balances: a three-step proposal from one sponsor would leave a remaining loan balance, while the Miller schedule was projected in the committee presentation to eliminate the shortfall over the modeled period.

Opponents urged caution, arguing that repeated annual increases could become politically difficult for future councils and urged stronger protections for low-income households. The committee adopted the Miller amendment in committee and later voted to approve the bill as amended.

The exemption approach approved requires households that qualify (based on income thresholds modeled on other city fee-exemption programs) to apply administratively each year; if they continue to meet the threshold they will pay a reduced monthly assessment rather than nothing. The committee debated whether the reduced level should remain fixed or be allowed to change in future budget votes; staff and counsel clarified that, regardless of the language memorializing a phase-in, the City Council must vote each year on the fee schedule when it adopts its budget.

The committee recorded the final vote on the amended fee ordinance as 5 yeas, 1 nay in committee. Members said the measure will move to subsequent committees (rules, finance) before final council action.

The Neighborhoods Committee and the auditors framed the change as addressing an accelerating structural shortfall in the Solid Waste Fund and creating predictable revenue to avoid deeper service cuts or deferred capital work.

Next steps: the legislation will be transmitted to rules and finance for additional review, including updated rate studies tied to pending contract territory adjustments.","The Neighborhoods Committee voted to raise the monthly solid-waste assessment and approved an exemption process for low-income households. Councilmembers debated phased schedules before adopting a version that raises the fee in steps and creates an annual administrative exemption process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

University of Florida outlines plan for downtown Jacksonville campus around Prime Osborn Convention Center

City arborist outlines plan to plant 100 trees per council district; aims for equitable canopy gains

Committee approves 20-year agreement for landfill gas-to-RNG project; city to receive leachate funding and rising revenue

Jacksonville committee approves phased solid-waste fee increase after months of debate