All Project Development and Environment (PD&E) studies require a Public Involvement Program (PIP) to inform and involve all interested public officials, citizens, and special interest groups in the development of transportation projects. The PIP starts at the beginning of the study phase to get input from all concerned parties along the project corridor. As the study progresses, input from the public will be used in the analysis of the various alternatives and in refining the viable alternatives.

PUBLIC MEETINGS & PROGRAM
The proposed public meeting program includes a Stakeholders meeting, an Alternatives Public Workshop, and a Public Hearing (all occurring in Duval County). All public meetings will be publicized by creating press releases and public notices as well as by placing strategic telephone calls. Camera-ready print ads will be prepared for local media according to the Department’s guidelines. The general content of each meeting is generally described below.

STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
Meetings with key public officials, city staff, local businesses, and community groups will be scheduled early in the study process.

The meeting will include an explanation of the study objectives, introduction of the project team, and outline the project schedule with an emphasis on the public participation elements. Input from these individuals will help us identify issues and concerns, and to refine our public involvement strategy. The meeting will provide an opportunity to create strong liaisons with key decision makers and community leaders. The personalized exchange will present these individuals with all the necessary information required to address questions and concerns from their respective constituencies.

The local public officials and city staff will be kept informed on a regular basis through one-on-one meetings. Presentations to the First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization (FCMPO) may occur prior to public meetings or at other key milestones in the project development process.

PUBLIC WORKSHOP
Once the project team develops the preferred alternative along with several other alternatives, including a “No Build“ option, a public workshop will be held in Duval County. Members of the community will receive information on the various designs and associated benefits and impacts. The public will review the various alternatives and will be asked to provide feedback. The project team will be present to answer any question posed by the public.

Public input will enable the project team to refine the preferred alternative according to the comments and concerns expressed at the workshop. Information stemming from the workshop will be documented, summarized, and presented on the website as well as in the final newsletter.

The workshop will be advertised in the local media and the informational newsletters that include an invitation to the workshop will be mailed to area residents. All comments received at the workshop or through any other avenue will be analyzed and considered by the project team.

PUBLIC HEARING
The public hearing will be held following completion of the Interchange Modification Report (IMR), Project Development Summary Report (PDSR), and the Technical Environmental Reports. The public hearing will be preceded by a presentation to the FCMPO and will provide a brief description of the material to be covered at the public hearing, and will formally invite the officials to attend the hearing. The public hearing will be announced through a formal letter of invitation signed by the District Planning & Environmental Management Engineer on Florida Department of Transportation’s letterhead and will be sent to all property owners within 500 feet of the right of way line. All comments received at the public hearing and 10 days after the hearing will be documented as part of the hearing.