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City makes Mayport Road cleanup a priority

Last modified 3/3/2008 - 8:59 pm
Originally created 030508

It's "the highest level of commitment I have seen," Atlantic Beach's police chief says.

By DREW DIXON, Shorelines

ATLANTIC BEACH - In hopes of a massive "overhaul" of Mayport Road, the city has committed to cracking down on crime there and has joined a $5.5 million contract to make long-awaited repairs to the road, its medians and other features.

The developments follow a series of strategic planning sessions last week and a meeting with residents who are concerned about crime.

"We have the highest level of commitment I have seen from a City Commission," said Atlantic Beach Police Chief David Thompson. "The mayor and the elected officials all expressed, I believe, that that's probably their highest priority for improving the quality of life for everyone in Atlantic Beach. It's not just going to impact the people who live there but it's going to impact all the people who use Mayport Road."

The action follows several shootings, drug activity and prostitution arrests in the Mayport Road area.

Also, Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville and state transportation officials have agreed to begin renovating the road's infrastructure, a project that has been postponed for years. The job, expected to cost about $5.5 million, could begin by May and take 1? years. A contract was awarded Thursday to Petticoat Contracting of Jacksonville, said Atlantic Beach Public Works Director Rick Carper.

"We have a unique time opportunity here. The contract was just signed for the overhaul of Mayport Road," said Mayor John Meserve, who also met with dozens of residents near the Mayport Road area Feb. 26. The residents had arranged the meeting to speak out about crime.

"Everything's going to be focused on the area just because of the construction in the next year or so," Meserve said. "The Mayport Road corridor, not just the road, but the associated residential and commercial districts, should be our highest priority.

He had suggested moving the police headquarters from Seminole Road to an area off Mayport Road. But Meserve acknowledged Friday the city owns no land near Mayport Road and buying property there could make that unfeasible. However, he said a satellite police office or a police substation operated with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office could work.

Beyond police, Meserve said the city is ready to commit city resources to the Mayport Road area, including new efforts from code enforcement inspectors to rid the area of substandard housing. He also plans to seek support from officials from Jacksonville, Mayport Naval Station and local businesses.

"It is very important that we take on something that at the end we can say, 'We improved our community,' " Meserve said. He said he hopes to have meetings with business and government officials from Jacksonville and Mayport Naval Station within a month.

"They need to come together and figure out what are the issues," Meserve said. And while he is excited about addressing Mayport Road issues, he cautioned that for a significant turnaround, the commitment will have to last at least three to five years.

"I think it's an important enough project that we may have to hire staff to manage this, whether that's additional code enforcement or a specialty person that will just focus on that area," Meserve said.

"It's multi-disciplined. When you think about it, it's not just more policing. It's how we clean up the area and rental units that have been allowed to deteriorate. ... We've got to focus energy to bring the quality of life in the Mayport area up," he said.

Thompson said he's encouraged by the commission's commitment.

Atlantic Beach police already target the Mayport Road area for their most frequent patrols, Thompson said. Adding a police headquarters or substation would provide only limited benefit, he said.

"I think it would have a halo effect," Thompson said. "That means it would have an impact in the immediate area around it. Is it going change the complexion of Mayport Road? Absolutely not.

"If that one thing is done in addition to another 20 things, multidisciplinary approaches, then it can be part of the solution," said Thompson.

Meserve said the effort "will be like a pebble hitting water; it will spread and spread. Property values will go up and the quality of life will go up."

Drew Dixon can also be reached at (904) 249-4947, ext. 6313.