News Summary
Residents in Jacksonville’s Brentwood neighborhood are opposing the construction of a new medical examiner’s office near KIPP V.O.I.C.E. Academy. Protests occurred on June 25, with claims that the city failed to notify the community about the project. Concerns include potential safety risks and negative impacts on property values. The local neighborhood association has filed a lawsuit against the city to halt the construction, advocating for alternative uses that would better serve the community. Residents are demanding transparency and involvement in future developments.
Jacksonville Residents Protest Construction of New Medical Examiner’s Office Near School
Residents from the Brentwood neighborhood in Jacksonville protested against the construction of a new medical examiner’s office on June 25, 2025. The demonstration occurred in front of the federal courthouse and included a march encircling James Weldon Johnson Park, drawing attention to their concerns over the facility’s location.
The Metro Gardens Neighborhood Association has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville, alleging that the city failed to inform the community about the construction of the medical examiner’s office, thus violating local ordinances. The facility is planned to be located near KIPP V.O.I.C.E. Academy and is in close proximity to several residential homes. Residents fear the new medical facility will diminish property values and pose safety risks for families and children.
Concerns have been raised regarding potential public health implications, particularly for elderly residents and children. Community members noted that there was allegedly no environmental or health assessment conducted for the construction site before the project’s approval. The city aims to complete the new medical examiner’s office by August 2025, coinciding with the start of the school year.
Led by Lydia Bell, the Metro Gardens Neighborhood Association has consistently argued that a medical examiner’s office is ill-suited for the neighborhood. Residents had previously expressed their concerns in open mic sessions, with some highlighting the possible stigma that could be associated with the area because of the medical examiner’s office.
The lawsuit filed by the association seeks to have the development repurposed for uses that would benefit the community instead of fulfilling its current intentions as a medical examination facility. Residents have previously protested at City Hall, suggesting the site be transformed into a pharmacy, urgent care center, or tutoring facility instead.
Long-time resident Ruth Spencer voiced her frustrations regarding the lack of community notification and discussions about the project, stating that residents did not receive adequate information on zoning changes or the approval processes. Initial plans to use the land for public benefit, such as parks, fell through before the decision to build the medical examiner’s office emerged.
Members of the community have expressed concerns about the lack of communication throughout the process. Early activist Katrina Spencer highlighted that important site plan reviews and zoning approvals that typically necessitate community input did not take place in this case. This decision to place the office in Brentwood has been described by stakeholders as lacking due diligence and disregarding local voices.
As protests persist, residents continue to advocate for improved communication and respect for their neighborhood in future development endeavors. Despite the residents’ opposition, city officials have warned that halting the construction could result in estimated damages of around $10 million and cause a delay of approximately five years for the facility’s completion.
Amid ongoing controversies, the city maintains that it followed legal procedures during the approval process. However, this assertion has been met with skepticism from many community members who feel that the city has not been transparent in its decision-making process regarding the medical examiner’s office.
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Additional Resources
- News4JAX: Brentwood Residents Sue City
- First Coast News: Residents Speak Out
- Jacksonville.com: Brentwood Medical Examiner Office Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Medical Examiner
- Google Search: Jacksonville Medical Examiner Office
