Amelia Waterfront Park: what next?

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 24, 2017 05:10 p.m.

During the September 19, 2017 City Commission Regular Meeting, Senior Planner Kelly Gibson provided the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) with a review of plans and projects proposed and/or adopted for Amelia Riverfront improvements dating back as far as 2006 in some instances.

The consensus of the commission was to move forward on the conceptual plan that was approved in 2012. Commissioner Roy Smith volunteered to work with city staff to develop construction estimates in general terms for grant requests and for seeking economic development assistance from the Nassau Legislative Delegation.

Gibson highlighted community desires for elements to be included in the waterfront park as expressed by the public during a series of public meetings in the 2006-2008 time frame:
• Historical and cultural information
• Gathering space/scenic views
• Active area for children, picnicking, musical and cultural performances
• Passive area with quiet spots and shade

At the same time, while the public did not want a net loss of parking spaces, they also did not want to see parking occupy prime waterfront space. They also indicated a preference for commercial structures that would support/augment waterfront activities as opposed to the types of general commercial found on Centre Street.

Gibson reminded commissioners that there are no current designs or costs proposed for vertical elements in the plan.

Problems during the development of the waterfront plans arose in connection with the boat ramp and the alignment of Front Street. But the railroad had given conceptual approval to proposals for buffers and landscaping to minimize safety concerns.

In 2011 engineering work was done to open the Alachua crossing, including design work for sidewalks. Engineering work for Front Street has also been completed to some degree.

Commissioner Tim Poynter said that waterfront projects have started and stopped so many times, nothing has gotten done. “We spent money for the Alachua [crossing] engineering and stopped that. We spent money for stormwater improvements on Front Street and stopped that. Even though we’ve got a nice picture of what we want to see, we need cost estimates to be able to move forward with funding requests or grants,” Poynter said.

Mayor Robin Lentz suggested that the FBCC wait until it receives the results of the citizen survey before moving forward. Commissioners agreed that if the public had no interest in the waterfront improvements, the plans would need to be reexamined. But Vice Mayor Len Kreger did not believe that would be the case, citing the recent public input on the Parks Master Plan, which gave a high priority to the Amelia Riverfront Park.

Gibson posed the following questions for commissioners, based upon intervening events and issues:

Commissioners did not discuss the points she raised.

But commissioners agreed that the city should begin preparing cost estimates for proceeding with the approved plan. Commissioner Roy Smith, citing his experience in construction, volunteered to help staff with construction estimates. He cited problems with the existing bulkheads in both Parking Lots A and B, suggesting that the city price out estimates on repairs and design with the assumption that the city will move forward.