About 50 cars were trapped earlier this year after a fire damaged the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Earlier in the year, a blaze damaged approximately 50 vehicles within the hourly parking garage at Jacksonville International Airport, leaving numerous drivers uncertain about the next steps.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority is asking for $38 million to investigate the cause of the fire, assess the damage, and repair the garage.
First Coast News received the following statement from the JAA:
The $38 million adjustment to the budget grants JAA the required financial authority to manage the entire project, from evaluation to rebuilding. Although a completion date hasn’t been nailed down, we anticipate the garage will be fully operational again in about two years.
Jacksonville City Council Member Matt Carlucci fully supports the project and knows the impact first-hand.
“Both my car and my wife’s car were parked in the garage where the fire took place. Fortunately, we were located just far enough not to suffer any smoke or fire damage,” said Carlucci. “At that time, we had no idea what was happening,” added Carlucci.
Other drivers told First Coast News the city should take this seriously. Carlucci says the council should make this project a priority.
“It’s not about assigning blame; it’s important to fix what needs fixing and implement any necessary risk management strategies that perhaps weren’t in place before. We have a wonderful airport, and I am confident in the capable leadership, which is one of Jacksonville’s shining attributes.”
Funding and Next Steps
The city says the funding won’t fall on taxpayers.
It’s unclear whether insurance will reimburse JAA for the cost of the project.
The $38 million proposal was presented to the City Council; however, no vote has been scheduled yet.
