Jacksonville port board authorizes new option on key parcel

Jacksonville port board authorizes new option on key parcel The Port of Jacksonville's board of commissioners Monday authorized the use of an 'eminent domain' claim for a parcel of land that is being considered for a new terminal for Hanjin Shipping.
   The port has been negotiating for a 167-acre parcel northwest of the Dames Point Terminal for some two years, and last spring appeared close to making a deal for the land, owned by land developer Abraham Zion.
   Port officials stress that negotiations for the property are continuing, but since no agreement on price has been reached, the board has authorized the port staff to move forward with an eminent domain claim if that is seen as the only option. Eminent domain would allow the port to legally seek the property for the public good.
   'The seller is willing to sell us vacant industrial waterfront property,' port spokeswoman Nancy Rubin noted, adding 'After two years of negotiations, there has been no agreement.'
   The port last year signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea-based shipping giant Hanjin, but the agreement does not specify the exact location of a proposed new terminal. There are other possible sites along the St. Johns River should the port need to find a completely new piece of land.
   The Hanjin agreement would give the port a second major carrier from the Asia trades. Japan-based Mitsui O.S.K. Line and its terminal operating subsidiary TraPac will have a new terminal operational by early next year.
   The target date for completing the new Hanjin terminal is 2011.