McCoys Creek FAQ

McCoys Creek Restoration Project

June 28, 2022 Update

What is the current status of McCoys Creek Boulevard and the nearby roadways?

McCoys Creek Boulevard from Cherokee Street to Margaret Street has been removed permanently and new cul-de-sacs have been constructed on the following streets: Sunshine, Crystal, Leland, Smith and Broward. Nixon Street has been reconstructed and provides access to nearby properties and roadways. Greenways, landscaping and sidewalks have been added.

Will there be any more construction in the neighborhood on the roadways?

Limited construction will continue and focus on drainage and litter removal devices.

What has been done with the pond on Broward Street?

The pond on Broward Street has been redesigned into a park space, with a seating area, native landscaping and a boardwalk. New drainage, litter traps and a series of rock pools have been constructed in anticipation of restoration work on the creek.


Broward retention pond - 2020	Broward pond construction - February 2022

Trees and landscaping – April 2022	Broward Pond – June 2022

June 24, 2021 Update

What is the McCoys Creek Restoration Project?

The City of Jacksonville has committed $105.4 million over the next three years to restore McCoys Creek to a natural state and in the process, mitigate the ongoing and chronic flooding on McCoys Creek Boulevard and in the nearby neighborhoods.

Groundwork Jacksonville, a local nonprofit, has partnered with the City to engage residents and community stakeholders on a vision plan and design for McCoys Creek that will reduce flooding, improve water quality, restore and add fish and wildlife habitats and create a more resilient ecosystem.

In addition, the project will provide parks, trails, access to creek and recreation opportunities and other amenities. Bridges on Stockton and King streets will be replaced with new bridges at higher elevations. Bike paths and sidewalks will be added to both bridges.

Where is McCoys Creek located?

McCoys Creek is located west of downtown Jacksonville. The head of McCoys Creek is just west of Leland Street and then travels southeast through several neighborhoods, including Lackawanna, Mixon Town and Brooklyn as well as the Rail Yard District. The creek outfalls to the St. Johns River near the Acosta Bridge.

McCoys Creek location Google map

What is included in the McCoys Creek Restoration Project?

Creek restoration (flood mitigation)
Removal of McCoys Creek Boulevard
Construction of cul-de-sacs and additional roadwork
Elevation and replacement of King and Stockton Street bridges
Trail construction (Emerald Trail)

How will this project benefit the areas adjacent to McCoys Creek?

In addition to flood mitigation, the McCoys Creek Restoration will include:

Trees and native plants
Landscaping, lighting and benches
Picturesque green spaces
Neighborhood sidewalks and trails
Connections to the Emerald Trail
Open views and access to McCoys Creek

Concept: Emerald Trail in McCoys Creek

Concept: Park overlook in McCoys Creek

How will this project impact traffic?

When McCoys Creek Boulevard is removed, Edison Avenue, Stockton, King and Forest streets will become the main travel routes to and from the community.

McCoys Creek Boulevard will remain open from Cherokee Street to Fitzgerald Street, providing access to McDuff Avenue, and from Claude to Goodwin streets to provide access under the railroad crossing.

Traffic studies show that the alternate routes will create no more than a 20 percent increase in traffic —below the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) capacity guidelines — and will have minimal impact on emergency response time. Residents should also see fewer commercial vehicles traveling through the neighborhood.

Is McCoys Creek Boulevard going to be removed permanently?

Yes.

Why is McCoys Creek Boulevard being removed?

McCoys Creek Boulevard is a low-lying road that is located squarely in the floodplain of McCoys Creek. Minimal rain causes the creek to overflow and routinely floods the road and into nearby neighborhoods.

McCoys Creek floodplain

Flooding on McCoys Creek Boulevard

Concept: Natural flood mitigation features in restored McCoys Creek

How will the restoration project fix the flooding?

In the past, McCoys Creek was forced into an artificial straight line – a channel - and critical flood plains were destroyed. The stream restoration project will restore natural channel design – a meander - to McCoys Creek, expand the flood plain and provide more room for water runoff. In addition, the project will deepen the creek and add natural water containment features, such as lagoons and tidal pools.

Current: Artificial straight channel

Future: Natural meandering design with expanded flood plain

What will happen to the King and Stockton Street bridges?

Both bridges will be replaced with new bridges at higher elevations. The new bridges will have sidewalks and bike lanes.

Concept: Stockton Street Bridge

What will happen to the roads that currently connect with McCoys Creek Boulevard?

Six roads will be impacted by the removal of McCoys Creek Boulevard. Of those six, five will become cul-de-sacs with landscaping, lighting and sidewalks that connect to the Emerald Trail. Those new cul-de-sacs will be on Sunshine, Leland, Crystal, Smith and Broward streets. The intersection of Nixon St. and McCoys Creek Boulevard will be reconstructed to maintain access to several properties east of Nixon Street.

McCoys Creek overhead photo
McCoys Creek: Current

McCoys Creek: Future

What will the cul-de-sacs look like?

Cul-de-sacs with new trees, landscaping, lighting, connecting trails and sidewalks will be constructed at the end of five roads that currently intersect with McCoys Creek Boulevard. The cul-de-sacs are designed so emergency responders (police and fire), sanitation trucks and maintenance vehicles have convenient access to nearby properties.

Concept cul-de-sac in McCoys Creek

Concept: cul-de-sacs at Broward and Smith streets
Concept: cul-de-sac(s) at Broward and Smith streets

Will I still have access to my home or business?

The project has been planned to ensure residents and businesses have access to their property both during and after construction. There are a few properties that will be permanently impacted by the closure of McCoys Creek Boulevard. The City is working with each of these property owners to develop practical solutions.

What is next for the McCoys Creek Restoration Project?

Next steps include the following:

Restoring McCoys Creek (Construction is expected to begin in Summer/Fall 2022)
Replacing the bridges on King Street & Stockton Street
Constructing the McCoy’s Creek Trail segment of the Emerald Trail

Additional phases of the project include restoration and design work of the creek from I-95 to the outfall at the St. Johns River. Recreational features, such as parks, active space, seating and creek overlooks are part of the overall project plan.

What will residents see when construction begins on the McCoys Creek channel?

The restoration plans for McCoys Creek will restore the creek to a more natural design while also widening and deepening the waterway. This expanded floodplain will help manage stormwater in the area. Construction on the McCoys Creek channel is expected to begin in Summer/Fall 2022.

The creek and landscape designers have extensive experience in projects of this type and expect that existing wildlife and birds will readily adjust by relocating to new habitats. However, native vegetation will take several years to take root and fully integrate into design of McCoys Creek.

Year 1
Year 1: Initially, the McCoys Creek restoration project will be a construction site. Birds and other wildlife will temporarily migrate to nearby wooded areas.
Year 3
Year 3: By year three, newly planted trees, native plants and grasses are rooted,
expanding and flourishing.
Year 7 Year 7: By year seven, the area will be lush with native plants and trees.