Why Fernandina Beach Main Street matters

Fernandina Beach Main Street
Press Release
Submitted by Arlene Filkoff
Executive Director
January 9, 2020

As 2020 dawns, many great things are happening in our city. New wayfinding signage downtown points our residents and visitors to the stores and shops that profit from their business and keep our downtown thriving. Events like the History Happens Here tours and speaker panels at the Courthouse have re-energized our appreciation of the historic district and recognized the people whose hard work and vision in the 1970s preserved our architectural legacy. A new book Saving Fernandina, telling the full story of our 70s efforts to revitalize downtown, is now in local bookstores. And the Historic Preservation Tour and Awards reinforced and demonstrated that preservation and economic vitality are solid partners.

What’s coming in 2020?
We’re assessing current lighting fixtures and sidewalks downtown to create a replacement plan for both safety and consistency, including funding source, by the end of the 2nd quarter.
Working with expert arborists we’ll examine the condition of our all-important trees and the shade they provide downtown. We’ll create a plan for replacement where necessary, along with funding sources.

We’ll replace landscaping in permanent beds in the 2nd quarter.
The new wayfinding, with standardized directional and parking signs, will be completed by end of 2nd quarter, depending on funding.

All of these things happen in great measure because of the Fernandina Beach Main Street program – one of 1600 organizations across the nation that are part of the National Trust – along with the support of the city and partners including the History Museum, the Restoration Foundation, the Historic Fernandina Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, Amelia Island Tourist Development Council and the dozens of volunteers who help us deliver on the Main Street promise: Nationally recognized. Locally powered.

Ricky Robbins, President and local business person
Terri Tennille, Vice President and local business person
Jose Miranda, Secretary, Restoration Foundation, and local architect
Dawn Tiura, Treasurer and local business person
Sal Cumella, City of Fernandina Beach Preservation Planner
Gil Langley, Convention Visitors’ Bureau
Lindy Kavanaugh, local business person
Buddy Jacobs, local Preservation Award winner and attorney
Bobby Ferreira, past president and local business person

3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Lawrence Tipton
Lawrence Tipton(@latipton)
4 years ago

The wayfinding post located on the south east corner of third and center should be relocated back to where it was located on the south west corner of center where it was previously located. The current location is located in front of a business and in the shade with the trees and is not visible.

Marlene Chapman
Marlene Chapman(@crew2120)
4 years ago

So proud of all that Main Street has accomplished in such a short amount of time and thrilled to be just a very tiny part of what’s to come! Thank you for moving us forward while keeping our historical feel.

CHARLES KNIGHT
CHARLES KNIGHT (@guest_56451)
4 years ago

HELLO AMELIA ISLANDERS!!!! I HAVE RECENTLY RELOCATED, TO THIS AREA, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINDING A PEACEFUL AND SAFE LIVING AREA FOR MYSELF AND HOPEFULLY MY TEEN DAUGHTERS. I LOVE IT HERE AND THERE IS SO MUCH TRANQUILITY. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.