Three companies are bidding to take on a large city project: Taking down the Hart Bridge Expressway in Downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville-based contractor JB Coxwell is asking for more than $25 million to do it. Johnson Brothers, a Texas-based company wants $31 million. Jacksonville’s Superior Construction company submitted a $32 million bid.
No start date for demolition has been set, but it's expected to happen this year.
The city has said before that tearing down this ramp will help with the future downtown development. Yet, some people do not think it will improve the area at all.
Jacksonville resident Jessica Downs will miss it, but won’t mind adjusting her daily commute.
"I’m for it if it’s going to do more from the city, absolutely,” Downs said.
However, Freddie Jenkins wants the ramp to stay.
“To tear it down it would be taking away our history,” Jenkins said.
City councilman Tommy Hazouri understands why some people are concerned, but he thinks the project will make downtown more accessible. Hazouri says it will help pave the way for promising city projects at the landing, Lot J and the Shipyards.
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“The mayor made a decision, the funding is there, they start next month," he said. "I think soon after everything will start falling into place…downtown will look different in three and a half years."
Jenkins feels the city can grow new projects around older roads.
“If you want to make Jacksonville a better place, make it a better place with the history we have, not taking it away to make something better,” Jenkins said.
The city’s procurement division will have 30 days to review the bids before submitting them to City Council.
The last community meeting regarding the Hart Bridge ramp removal will be held Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. at 1855 West Rd.