JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (The video above aired in Aug. 2021)
The foul smell is gone, and the sound of birds is back.
In August, when the On Your Side team first visited the lake in a Baymeadows neighborhood, it was muck.
After the first story aired uncovering the water quality issues and possible complications, noted in an inspection report, homeowner and HOA president Randy Fridkis connected with the Jacksonville City Councilmember representing his district.
“Getting with Randy and putting him in connection with Bob Porter with D.R. Horton allowed them to figure out some very difficult management issues going forward," district 11 city councilmember Danny Becton said.
Becton says the developer, D.R. Horton, adjusted the drainage outfall, which eventually brought the lake level back.
The Meadow Walk neighborhood also agreed to take on the responsibility of making sure it’s adjusted in the event of a major storm, so flooding doesn’t occur.
“And as you can see, behind me, this is the result," Fridkis said pointing to the recently restored lake. "We now have everything back to the way it was, and the way it was supposed to be. And, everybody is happy.“
D.R. Horton also sent the On Your Side team the following statement:
“We are pleased that we could work with the homeowners, Councilman Becton and the St. Johns River Water Management District to help bring beauty back to the lake and the community. The satisfaction of our homeowners is our top priority.”
Fridkis says reaching out to the On Your Side team was an instrumental first step in the restoration of the lake.
“I would encourage anybody that's got a problem to reach out to you folks. And, also, not to give up," he explained. "Everyone on this lake has their quality of life back.”
Fridkis also gives praise to Becton and D.R. Horton for closely working with him to resolve the problem.