CRAAB ponders future direction

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter – News Analyst

DSCN1564The Fernandina Beach Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board (CRAAB) met in City Commission Chambers on January 9, 2014 to prepare for a joint meeting with the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) and a joint meeting with the Waterfronts Advisory Group (WAG).   Because the joint meeting with the FBCC has been postponed, the CRAAB members decided to reduce some of their concerns to writing so that the FBCC might consider them during their goal setting session scheduled for January 23.  It was the consensus of the CRAAB to support the scaled-down version of a plan advanced by local architect Randy Rice for proceeding with the central portion of the Amelia Riverfront Park at the joint meeting with the WAG on the same date.

CRAAB members continued to express frustration over the FBCC’s lack of direction for their efforts.  The pending lawsuit over the ownership of the sidewalk along the west side of the Duryee Building was cited as a contributor to ongoing safety concerns in the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).  CRAAB Chair Mike Zaffaroni said that over the past two years there has been no drive or motivation for changes downtown, no encouragement of business or stimulus to development.  “Why are we [the CRAAB] here?” he asked rhetorically.

CRAAB members discussed successful CRAs in other parts of the state.  With more than 200 CRAs in Florida, members discussed the possibility of arranging a field trip so that key public and private decision makers might be able to see what a positive effect CRAs have had on other communities.  Zaffaroni said, “In a nutshell [success] boils down to attitude.  A change in city attitude could encourage people in our own backyard [to develop in the CRA].”

CRAAB members Lou Goldman and Mike Zaffaroni
CRAAB members Lou Goldman and Mike Zaffaroni

It was the consensus of the CRAAB that Zaffaroni draft a letter to the FBCC and the City Manager listing points for their consideration during their January 23 goal-setting workshop.  Those points include identifying FBCC expectations for the CRAAB; expanding the CRA to the maximum 2% permitted under the City Charter; the possibility of creating a position for CRA developer advocate; joining and working more closely with the Urban Land Institute; developing a joint venture RFP that would propose a city partnership with a potential CRA developer; continue in a positive direction with Amelia Riverfront Park development; working with private landowners along the river to secure release of submerged lands from the state; and resolving the Quiet Zone problem with the railroad.

The CRAAB also decided that in approaching the joint meeting with the WAG on January 23, they wanted to make sure that the Rice plan would fit in with the other elements of the 2012 WAG plan for the larger waterfront area.  However, they supported Rice’s proposal to fund the central portion of the plan with grants and private contributions.  In light of the FBCC’s comments on the Rice plan, the CRAAB also agreed that parking concerns needed to be further addressed as the plan moves forward.

Extensive information about the Fernandina Beach CRA, including definitions, a map, and the 2012 WAG waterfront plan is available on the city website:  www.fbfl.us/cra.