The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and Councilman Michael Boylan hosted a community engagement event to discuss Phase II of the Mandarin Road Sidewalk project. The session, which encouraged public input on initial designs, was held at the Mandarin Community Club. Details of the meeting were covered by JTA in a recent press release .

According to the press release by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority , the upcoming phase aims to add approximately 2.3 miles of sidewalk, aiming to enhance public safety, improve mobility and accessibility, and create increased connectivity. This initiative follows a request from the community via a 2016 city survey, leading to the construction of the first phase in 2017. During the construction, the JTA is committed to preserving the distinctive tree canopy along Mandarin Road. "Our goal is to enhance safety, mobility, and connectivity while respecting the natural character of Mandarin Road," said JTA's CEO Nat Ford.

Councilman Boylan addressed concerns about the potential impact to the local environment during the meeting. "While I respect and appreciate the concern raised by some and we all want to see the canopy preserved, our neighbors to the north of Red Cypress Drive deserve the same opportunity to enjoy the corridor as those who regularly walk the first phase," Boylan stated in the JTA press release . The councilman also expressed confidence in the JTA's ability to responsibly manage the sidewalk expansion.

The JTA has emphasized their commitment to working closely with both Councilman Boylan and the City of Jacksonville to align the development with established guidelines and community interests. Nat Ford acknowledged the essence of collaborative effort by saying, "Community partnerships are at the heart of everything we do at the JTA," in a statement to the JTA press release . Despite the potential challenges, the organization is poised to integrate community feedback into the evolving design of the Mandarin Road sidewalk extension.