Panel selects 3 waterfront consultants for FBCC interviews

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 7, 2017 1:40 p.m.

At their March 21, 2017 Regular Meeting, Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) will hear presentations from three companies competing for selection as the design consultant to create a master plan for waterfront redevelopment along the Amelia River at the foot of Centre Street in downtown Fernandina Beach, FL.

The city received 12 responses to RFQ 2017-1, which were discussed and ranked by a panel of five during a publicly noticed meeting in City Hall on March 7, 2017. By consensus, the committee recommended that the FBCC hear presentations from the three that appeared to panelists to offer the most complete range of services:

• TSW https://www.tsw-design.com
• GAI Consultants, Inc. https://gaiconsultants.com
• Dix.Hite & Partners http://www.dixhite.com

A half dozen or so residents, including City Commissioner Len Kreger, joined representatives of local media to watch and listen as the panelists discussed and debated the relative merits of the 12 competing firms.

Firms that also generated high marks by some of the panelists included: Balmoral Group; Dredging & Marine Consultants; and Gulfstream Design Group.

In opening the meeting City Manager Martin said that the panel’s challenge was to achieve consensus on 3 consultants who would then be interviewed by the FBCC. He said that the goal is to have a consultant under contract by early April. Martin also allowed that the ATM plan, now about 20 years old, had covered the needs of the waterfront from the waterside. He anticipated that the major work of the consultant would be to develop a landside plan, while working with ATM plans for the marina and the recent GAI stormwater study for the downtown area.

In considering the 12 submissions, panelists looked for comprehensiveness and a holistic approach to developing a master plan. Those that included proposals and experience in public engagement were rated highly. The panel also rated favorably those consultants who had prepared master plans on a similar scale to the Fernandina Beach project. Some proposals fell short because of absence of team members or plans for dealing with traffic circulation and parking issues. Panelists also looked for experience on the costing and financial side of past projects.

Consultants that appeared to be too theoretical in approach were not ranked as highly as those with solid, practical experience.

One submission that did not make the final cut generated serious discussion among the panelists, because it seemed to capture the frustration of many in dealing with waterfront redevelopment.   Land development consultant Robert Scott Allison, drew from his experience in designing the existing marina 30 years ago and his views on city action (or inaction) in the intervening period to make several observations. He summarized the needs and wants of the various stakeholders for the waterfront and cited previous meetings and consultant reports that have reflected public opinions. He wrote: “It appears City taxpayers don’t want to have to pay for any of this. Any new redevelopment of the City’s waterfront will have to be financially self supporting or be paid for by others to have any chance of being supported by a majority of City taxpayers.” He recommended that the city take additional steps to acquire land rights and permits first. He was the only respondent to recommend a design competition to develop a master plan.

Panelist Steve Colwell, owner of Fantastic Fudge, admitted to a certain level of frustration in dealing with the problems confronting waterfront development. He has served on several committees over the years formed to address these problems that have not yielded results. “I hope that the opponents will not come out rattling their sabers,” he said. “We have been there before. Hopefully, this time we can get to the next step.”

Bill Tilson, who as a University of Florida professor wrote guidelines for the Fernandina Beach Historic District and also the Community Redevelopment Area, opined that failure of earlier efforts could be somewhat attributed to lack of coordination. He said that past projects were planned and done piecemeal, without regard to the overall picture.

City Manager Dale Martin said that the current commission is eager and committed to proceed on waterfront redevelopment and intend to do so as quickly as possible.

The FBCC and the public will hear presentations from the three finalists on March 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Chambers, 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. For additional information, visit the city’s website www.fbfl.us.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.