Weekly Comments from Dale Martin

Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach

October 28, 2016 1:00 a.m.

dale-martin
Dale Martin City Manager

One of the City Commission’s primary goals (resolution 2016-51) was to review, consider, and, if appropriate, revise regulations associated with downtown density. The completion date for such review and revisions is September, 2017.

My first real experience with downtown living came when I was stationed in Germany during my time with the Army. I lived in the moderately-sized community of Bad Kissingen, a northern Bavarian city. The general lifestyle in that community was somewhat indicative of other German (and as I discovered, other European) small towns.

People lived downtown above the shops and businesses or otherwise clustered among those areas. Residential units were substantially smaller than American households, more reflective of apartment living. It was common to have three or so families living in one building, each occupying a separate floor. Parking was typically on-street. One car-garages were rare; two-car, nonexistent.

Each little community had a central plaza, often the site of both its annual community festival (spring, summer, or autumn) and its Christmas market. With nothing like American malls, Christmas shopping was done at these markets, somewhat similar in nature to the vendors at our Shrimp festival. I have great memories of soft falling snow, a well-done bratwurst, and a warm mug of gluhwein (mulled wine; and it was usually more than one mug).

Around the central plaza were the shops of daily life- the butcher (fresh meat hanging in the window), the baker (the sight of bright pastries and the scent of fresh bread), and the brewer (dark beer in often darker lighting). Small markets sold other staples, but often, produce was easily found on the farms at the outskirts of town.

When I returned to the United States and began my career as a municipal manager, I realized from that government position that we were overly enamored with the automobile. I was born and raised in Detroit, but until I worked in small towns, I didn’t comprehend how vehicles so overwhelmingly changed American lifestyle.

I found this change most vividly illustrated in the Pixar movie Cars. My daughters wanted me to see the movie because it was cute; I enjoyed the movie because of its message. The new highway was expected to bring scores of new visitors to Radiator Springs, but when completed, the road simply made it easier to get to the next bigger town. Nobody needed to visit Radiator Springs anymore. The movie is an artistic impression of downtown redevelopment. It is because of that theme that I have a small set of the character cars from Cars in my office.

Every community that I have managed has had a historic downtown. Despite the efforts of many, none were as successful as Fernandina Beach, and only after coming here did I forlornly realize that those downtowns had much work to do. Those downtowns were the open and visible souls of those communities- some vibrant, some empty, some growing, some simply hanging on.

The most effective way of getting people downtown is to let them live downtown. Those residents spur the need for shops, markets, and restaurants. I learned long ago that the two most critical businesses for a successful residential downtown were a food market and a hardware store. We have the hardware store, but we’re now missing the food market with the loss of Fred’s. Once we get the marina fully functioning again, these two types of businesses provide resources to the transient boaters who often lack any heavy transportation.

Mr. Jeff Kurtz, the Executive Director of Fernandina Beach Main Street, shared with me some preliminary results of a downtown density survey. Some of those results were obvious. The desire to live downtown is driven by the neighborhoods, and the proximity of restaurants, other downtown businesses, the water, and even to work.

Other results were somewhat baffling. Many respondents indicated a desire for 2-3 parking spaces, a lack of interest in walking more than two blocks to such parking spaces, and a strong desire to have a single-family residence. To me, that sounds more like suburban living, not downtown living.

We often discuss density in the planning terms of “units per acre.” To most people, it is seemingly impossible to differentiate between eight, twelve, or even thirty units per acre. Thirty units per acre conjures images of “anthill” style living, with cramped quarters and crowded balconies. Modern architectural design elements can make density very attractive, especially for those people not needing family space (individuals, young or senior couples).

I believe that downtown Fernandina Beach needs to review its density regulations and support downtown residential living. That feature will spawn the need for additional amenities and businesses to support our local economy and quality of life.

Where can I find the gluhwein?

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Michael Bell
Michael Bell (@guest_48077)
7 years ago

Thank you, Dale, for your regular columns and for the thought and wisdom that is embedded in them. Density and the ability to easily walk to the Historic Downtown are very attractive amenities that will be sought after by young people who want to own a condo or rent an apartment, as well as retirees that want to enjoy a vibrant downtown but no longer want the cost and hassle of maintaining a single family home and yard. People are increasingly valuing time and experience over possessions. Compact, mixed-use development holds the key to a successful revitalized 8th Street corridor, a more vibrant and interesting Historic District and a stronger and more diverse tax base. With the right zoning and densities, the private sector will invest in this great community again. We shouldn’t fear density, we should embrace it!

Pam Hart
Pam Hart (@guest_48080)
7 years ago

Dale, I could not agree more. One of my favorite cities is Charleston SC and what I love about it is that it is a walking city. You can live, shop, dine and go to the grocery in downtown. Once you arrive, you need never get in your car for the rest of the visit. Fernandina has that rare opportunity and some beautiful old spaces downtown that could be renovated for condos/apartments. And thriving downtowns are rare but are so important to the character of a place.

Duane Karr
Duane Karr (@guest_48085)
7 years ago

Ditto, Michael Bell. S happy to see more people are interested in living in the Historic Downtown, walking to restaurants, in a vibrant downtown. Having a grocery completes the picture. After having downsized and now live in a luxury apartment, I would definitely be interested in living downtown in delightful Fernandina