Another waterfront park plan bites the dust

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 9, 2021

The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) at its December 7, 2021 Regular Meeting voted down the latest conceptual plan for a waterfront park, known as Concept E.  This plan, prepared by Marquis Latimer + Halbeck, is the sixth plan in recent memory to have been initially approved by the FBCC and then jettisoned.  The plan had been approved by the FBCC at two earlier meetings.  Only Commissioner Bradley Bean voted continuing support for the twice approved plan. 

The FBCC agreed to hold further discussions on plan elements at their day long January Visioning Meeting, which will be held at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course Club House on January 26, 2022.  The meeting will cover other topics as well and is open to the public.

The sticking points

Commissioners heard objections to the Concept E plan from five members of the public, two of whom said that there were too many “moving parts” to the plan to warrant approval at this time.  Two speakers expressed opposition to locating petanque courts and an amphitheater on the waterfront, claiming that taxpayers would be required to support these additions.  One citizen called for the return of shrimp boats; another chided the FBCC for making bad business decisions that would add to the tax burden as opposed to bringing in revenue to support the City.

As commissioners discussed Concept E prior to voting, Vice Mayor Len Kreger noted that fifteen percent of the area was no longer available to the city, since efforts to obtain a key piece of privately owned property that would have connected two city owned properties were unsuccessful.  He also raised the current uncertainty over the future of the property that contains Brett’s Waterway Cafe, suggesting that at the end of the lease period (2025) the structure will probably be demolished.

Commissioner David Sturges agreed with Kreger,  He said that his primary concern at this time is completing the seawall in order to alleviate downtown flooding during storms and high tides.  “The reason I can’t agree with [Concept E Plan] is that the parts are still moving,” he said. “Parking remains an issue, especially boat trailer parking.”  He also indicated a desire to hear from a greater number of citizens as to what the people want on the waterfront.

Commissioner Bradley Bean reminded Commissioners that this is the sixth plan that has been developed and paid for by the City for the waterfront — just within his lifetime.  He said, “[Concept E] is a great plan.”  He took issue with complaints about parking spaces, pointing to parking spaces shown on the plan and stating that the same number of boat trailer parking spaces currently available remain in the plan.  “What people want is a place where we can come together to watch the sunsets.” he said.  “This is the working waterfront plan — a plan that keeps our businesses there.  We are letting our businesses down by not  having a great place for our residents and visitors to come.”

“What I want to ask my fellow commissioners is this:  if not now, when?  We’ve just added a 6th plan to the pile of plans we’ve paid for and done nothing with.  This plan has a lot of positive aspects, and I would like to see it move forward,” Bean said.

Commissioner Chip Ross first addressed concerns raised by the public speakers.  He said that local government’s creating the park is not comparable to private sector businesses where return on investment can be calculated.  He noted that the proposed petanque courts consist of railroad ties and gravel, allowing that space to be easily repurposed.  He also reminded people that the park would be paid for with Parks and Recreation impact fees, not ad valorem taxes.

Ross went on to say that City staff needs guidance from the FBCC before moving forward with design elements, bidding projects, etc.  He proposed a  new approach which would allow the City to move forward incrementally according to a set of agreed upon principles in lieu of an overall plan.  He presented seven principles:

1. Flood protection for the downtown
2. Riverwalk connecting City-owned properties
3. Walkable, pedestrian-centric Front Street
4. Minimize net loss of current parking west of the railroad tracks
5. Open the Alachua Street rail crossing
6. No residential development west of the railroad tracks
7. Any building on the waterfront should minimally obstruct views and boost activity in the surrounding public spaces.

Mayor Mike Lednovich said he believed that six plans have been rejected because the sentiment of the public is “Leave it alone.”  People are opposed to commercial development of the area and would limit “development” to landscaping.  “The river is the attraction,” Lednovich said.  “It’s the river.”

Lednovich expressed interest in the idea surfaced by Ross to concentrate on developing a set of principles by consensus in lieu of a formal plan.  Commissioners were asked to submit their suggestions to the City Manager.  The topic and proposed principles will be discussed during the January Visioning Workshop.

The vote on approving the Concept E plan was 4-1 in opposition with only Commissioner Bean in support.

Following the vote, Lednovich directed Commissioners to address the principles suggested by Commissioner Chip Ross.  While there seemed to be consensus on the first principle — Flood protection for the downtown — Commissioner Bean suggested that a discussion of principles seemed more appropriate for the January Visioning Meeting.  Other Commissioners agreed.

Lednovich said that this topic will be the first item on the Visioning Meeting agenda.  City Manager Dale Martin said that he would provide Commissioners with a list of topics/projects for which staff needs guidance.  The FBCC will be asked to prioritize these items for discussion at the Visioning Meeting.

Other waterfront matters

While not discussed during the meeting, much work is underway currently or in the near future to improve the waterfront:

• The seawall and waterfront walk way are under construction.
• Stormwater mitigation.
• Improvements to rail crossings at Ash and Centre have been approved by all parties.  Work is anticipated to begin in early 2022.  
• Approval has been obtained to underground utility lines along North Front Street.

Unresolved issues that could impact waterfront design:

• New location for Atlantic Seafood
• Future of Brett’s Waterway Cafe  

The January FBCC Visioning Meeting will mark at least the 5th consecutive year where the waterfront has been discussed and debated.  

Readers are reminded that following the 2022 City Commission elections, where two seats will be contested, the players — and the plans — could once again be subject to change.