Fishermen and neighbors ask council where bridge repair money went; residents oppose proposed stadium site

Several Duval residents used public comment to demand transparency about funds they say were allocated to repair the George Crady fishing bridge and to press the council to reopen the Duval side for fishing.

Johnny Turner, who said he and others have been fighting for three years, challenged the council: “We want to know where the money at. The bridge ain't fixed. The bridge going down… We want to know where the money going at.” Multiple speakers reiterated that federal funds or FEMA dollars were said to be available but that bridge repairs had not occurred.

Latrice Bell and other speakers said the federal funds they expected for the bridge had been diverted, called that misuse, and urged the council to convene stakeholders for a “coming together day” to resolve the repairs. James Bell and members of the bridge crew said the Nassau side has gained attention while the Duval side remains closed, limiting fishing access for residents.

Separately, public commenters objected to the proposed 15,000-seat soccer stadium site near Windy Hill and Fox Chase neighborhoods and St. Johns Town Center, saying the location would overtax septic systems, worsen flooding, and create severe traffic on a single arterial. Carmen Martinez urged the council to consider alternate locations such as Regency Square or Cecil Field.

Council did not make a final vote on bridge funding or the stadium site that evening; those concerns were raised during the public-comment period and will inform committee follow-up and staff briefings.

The public record shows repeated requests for a written accounting of promised funds and for staff to report back to the council on when repairs to the Duval side will begin.