The City of Jacksonville announced on Tuesday that it has recently received more than $12 million in federal and philanthropic grants to strengthen various initiatives across the city.
The city says that these grants will “expand port, transportation and tree infrastructure, while advancing economic development, homelessness reduction, resilience, and sustainability initiatives.”
The recently awarded grants include:
Mayport Dock Redevelopment, Phase II
This $11,210,471 grant from the USDOT Maritime Administration, Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) helps fund the continued strengthening of the Mayport waterfront. The city says that the funding will bring new mooring structures, a reinforced concrete deck, a floating dock with gangway access, polymeric fender piles, and upgraded upland systems, including power pedestals, water service, solar lighting, and a modern stormwater system.
The city states that these improvements will provide various benefits to the port, such as reducing flooding-related disruptions to operations and protecting the seafood supply chain.
JAX FAST: Focused Accelerator for Sustainable Transportation
This $1,150,000 grant from the USDOT Build America Bureau, Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) Program will establish JAX FAST, an “embedded accelerator office housed within the City’s Department of Public Works” that will advance transportation projects across the city,
The projects, within the LaVilla area and downtown footprint, include the McCoys Creek Restoration and Greenway, Myrtle Avenue and Beaver Street Complete Streets, Water Street Complete Streets, the Amtrak relocation to the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, and the First Coast Regional Rail.
Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing
This $132,902 grant from the U.S. HUD Emergency Solutions Grant – Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing helps fund additional emergency shelter services across Jacksonville in an effort to reduce homelessness.
Ribault River Neighborhoods Urban Forest Resilience and Risk Reduction Project
This $50,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry, Inflation Reduction Act Grant funds tree pruning in areas around the Ribault River area.
The city says that at least 166 trees will be inspected in hopes of extending tree lifespan.
Jacksonville Youth Sustainability Action Initiative
This $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies aims to help young people across the city lead local sustainability efforts. The goal of the grant is to “move youth-generated sustainability solutions from idea to implementation,” the city says.
The grant also aims to build on pre-existing initiatives, such as Mayor’s Youth at Work and the Mayor’s Cup Sustainable Build Challenge.