I wanted to bring an important concern to your attention regarding the proposed Mandarin Road Sidewalk Project.

JTA has categorized this project as a “Categorical Exclusion” under environmental review standards, meaning they are treating it as a project that requires no formal environmental or historical assessment. This determination allows them to move forward without a full study of impacts to centuries-old live oaks, magnolias, elms, pines, or the historic character of Mandarin.

However, to date, no tree impact study or site-specific environmental assessment has been shared with the public or documented in the 30% design plans they’ve provided. This raises serious concerns about the credibility of the process and whether the community has been properly informed about the risks to Mandarin’s natural and historical assets.

We believe this is a story the public deserves to hear, especially as the project moves toward later design phases without transparency or public vetting of environmental risks.

An  signed into law Jacksonville city ordinance in 2001 specifically designated this road as an historic, scenic corridor, this how does the grant get an exclusion to assess environmental impacts ?