A blistering hot midday in July isn’t enough to keep Will and Jack Crump out of the St. Johns River.
The Avondale father-and-son duo isn’t launching their twin kayaks close to their neighborhood, though. They’re exploring other parts of Jacksonville’s waterways.
On Wednesday, it was Heckscher Drive and the public launch at Palms Fish Camp.
It’s still a fairly popular access spot. Several trucks and trailers were in the unpaved parking lot Wednesday, waiting for their owners to return from the water.
It should probably be a lot more popular, if plans the past decade had gone accordingly, that is.
A bright blue, partially constructed building with an expansive wooden deck is evidence of those efforts.
In all, the city has spent more than $111,000 on its share of the work and maintenance.
Yet, the building is still unfinished and vacant.
It has been for years. Hopes of becoming a reinvigorated, charming Southern-style fish camp have been delayed since the city purchased the land in 2002 through a $550,000 Preservation Project grant.
The hope was to demolish the building then rebuild the same concept and reinvest in public access.
It started that way until delay after delay after delay — five times over a six-year span — led the city and contractor/operator to part ways. They soon found themselves in a protracted legal battle beginning in November 2012.
The Palms Partnership group sued, seeking more than $700,000 in costs it incurred. The city countered, saying the group failed to meet conditions of the contract.
Both sides locked in.
All the while, the building has sat vacant and unfinished — but there is substantial progress on two key fronts.
Legislation filed with City Council would resolve the legal wrangling. Instead of $700,000-plus, the city agreed to pay Palms Partnership $125,000.
And it has put the site back on the market. Responses to a request for proposals are scheduled to be opened Wednesday for further analysis and rating.
The city is seeking a contractor to finish the building, which is almost 75 percent complete, and to operate the restaurant for 20-25 years.
Seafood, sandwiches, soups and more would be served at least six days a week.
And it has to maintain a family-friendly and parklike environment, although alcohol sales would be up to the operator.
In return, the city would get the fish camp it has long sought, along with rent. At minimum, the amount would be $1,500 a month for the first five years and increase 10 percent each additional five-year period.
Remaining work includes installing the plumbing and electrical fixtures and finishing HVAC and septic tank work. Ongoing maintenance is on the operator, too.
The goal is for construction to be completed within four months of the city finalizing a deal with the approved contractor.
The Crumps didn’t know the history of the building adjacent to their launch into the St. Johns River.
If all goes accordingly, maybe next time — finally — people exploring the riverfront along North Jacksonville will find a bustling establishment that’s been in the works for years.
@writerchapman
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