NOVEMBER 20 TO NOVEMBER 26, 2025 | JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
BUSINESS & LEGAL NEWS IN BAKER, CLAY, DUVAL, NASSAU AND ST. JOHNS COUNTIES
NAVI: HEADED FOR A DEAD END?
INSIDE
GROCERY STORES
Kroger ending its Florida home delivery service PAGE 13
HIGHER EDUCATION
Jacksonville Transportation Authority
A van from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation system heads east down Bay Street in Downtown. NAVI, which operates on a 3.5-mile route mostly along Bay Street, cost $65 million to start.
As critics question the cost effectiveness of the JTA’s autonomous system amid low ridership, defenders step up RIC ANDERSON & JOE LISTER STAFF WRITERS
T
he Jacksonville City Council could soon consider whether to withhold city funding for the final two stages of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s autonomous vehicle system, potentially leaving JTA scrambling for money to finish the project after fewer than 4 miles of development. Council member Rory Diamond says he’s preparing legislation that would cut off city funding for phases two and three of the JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator, or U2C, which launched in June with the start of service aboard the $65 million Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation system. NAVI, which operates on a 3.5-mile
route mostly along Bay Street, was designed as the first leg of a system that would eventually involve adaptation of the Skyway system for the U2C and expansion of service to neighbor- Diamond hoods surrounding Downtown. But as JTA works toward designing the Skyway overhaul, Diamond’s potential legislation would eliminate $247 million in city funding that is critical to the last two phases. Council approved the funding in 2021 through a 6-cent per gallon increase in the local option gas tax, which provided $1 billion for projects that also included the Emerald Trail and road construction. According to the JTA, there is $240
million in local option gas tax revenue committed to the second phase of the U2C, which is 100% of the cost estimate. Of the $5.65 million committed for Phase III, JTA says $3.9 million is local. Prompted by ridership numbers that Council member Ron Salem described as “disappointing,” Diamond suggests the money for the U2C would be better spent improving streets and other existing transportation infrastructure than on technology that, in his view, is experimental and subject to quickly being made obsolete by advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Diamond suggested diverting some city funds to purchase credits for companies like Uber and Waymo to provide rides for Jacksonville residents. SEE NAVI, PAGE 12
UNF trustees approve new campus master plan PAGE 4
CITY GOVERNMENT
Slaughterhouse plans withdrawn Jacksonville grocer Apna Bazar is withdrawing its request to build a slaughterhouse at its Beach Boulevard store. PAGE 6 THE MATHIS REPORT
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THE BASCH REPORT
Investment group not happy with Fortegra deal An investment firm is opposing the $1.65 billion sale of The Fortegra Group Inc., saying the deal is unfair to shareholders of Tiptree Inc., the majority owner of Jacksonvillebased Fortegra. PAGE 18
Body shop is expanding Gerber Collision & Glass is preparing a 12th Northeast Florida location by renovating a former Badcock Home Furniture & More store in the Panama Park area. PAGE 10
VOLUME 113, NO. 2 | TWO SECTIONS | PUBLISHED SINCE 1912