by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The City, through a matching $1.5 million grant from the Florida Communities Trust, plans to add 12.9 acres to the Northside’s Huguenot Park. The new portion of the 161-acre park would be owned by the City and operated by the City’s Preservation Project, a division of the City’s Parks, Recreation, Entertainment & Conservation department.
Nathan Rezeau, division chief of Preservation Project, said the City is currently getting two appraisals for the property, which is owned privately by Michael Hughes. Rezeau said the City is getting two appraisals — per the grant agreement requirements – and will begin negotiating with Hughes.
“This is part of our due diligence,” he said, adding about seven acres of the property is considered uplands while the rest is considered wetlands. Rezeau said he does not know Hughes’ asking price.
Huguenot Memorial Park is actually owned by the State of Florida, leased back to the City and managed by Preservation project. The parcel under consideration for purchase, according to Rezeau, can be seen from A1A and is adjacent to the St. Johns River. Eventually, the City plans to build a fishing pier on Shad Creek – a tributary of the St. Johns within the property — two new trail loops and provide beach access to the ocean. Those amenities are in the grant application and listed as possible future amenities. However, according to Rezeau, the roughly $3 million is needed just to acquire the land. He said the FCT requires some type of amenities before it will consider the grant.
Huguenot is popular among personal water craft users, surfers, fishermen and beachgoers. It is also permissible to drive on the beach and riverfront in portions of the park.
Rezeau said the City has until April 30 to reach an agreement with FCT and become eligible for the matching grant. He added if any facet of the due diligence process should require more time, that deadline could be extended.
Once the property is acquired, Rezeau said the Preservation Project will concentrate on managing the park and locating funds to build the fishing pier and trails.
“It’s a safe bet this is as big as the park could get,” he said. “It (the 12.9 acres) is the only thing on our radar screen.”
Regardless when, or if, the funds are identified to build the amenities, Rezeau said once the City acquires the new property it will be open to the public. The grant agreement requires City Council approval.