by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
The South Shore Group Partners made its first appearance before the Jacksonville Waterways Commission Thursday. South Shore Group managers Hal Dodt and Bob Tate took the Commission through a detailed presentation of the company’s planned 128-slip marina near the Aetna Building and accompanying public park.
“It’s a very nice location at the extreme west end of the South Shore development,” said Tate.
South Shore Group bought the Aetna Building in 2004, but plans for the marina, Riverwalk and landscaping improvements have been in the works since 2003. During that time, representatives from South Shore have met with various groups — from the City to the State Department of Environmental Protection to Southbank property owners — to get their input regarding the project. As a result of those discussions, Tate said the project has changed several times and still remains up for modification. Suggestions have included making sure the marina can accommodate various sized boats, access to the dock from the Riverwalk, a dockmasters and marina office site, parking and other amenities.
“We are going to improve the landscaping and create more of a park setting,” said Tate. “It will be an attractive, modern facility and because of the water depth, we will not have to dredge.”
Dodt said the marina’s construction will begin after the St. John — the 52-story condominium next to the Aetna Building — is complete. Dodt said the construction of the marina is not contingent upon the St. John.
“Because of logistics and equipment, we don’t want to build the marina before the condo is done,” said Dodt, who also said sales for the St. John are going well and the developers hope to break ground early next year. “If the condo is not built, the marina will eventually be developed because of demand.”
So far, South Shore has reached a development agreement with the City, has gotten conceptual approval from the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s Downtown Development Review Board and approval from a Waterways subcommittee.
“We believe this will be a tremendous benefit to the Southbank,” said Tate. “It will be a place to go just to hang out. If you own a boat, it will be even better. It can become a focal point for recreation on the St. Johns River.
“The bottom line is, it’s in an area targeted for this type of development. There is no submerged vegetation in the area that would attract manatees and no submerged historic resources. Our market study indicates the market exists for such a marina.”
Responding to a question from Waterways member Ed Gray Jr., Tate said the slips will be leased on a one-year or less basis and transient boats will be welcome. Also, the marina will have a pumping station, but no fuel.
“Fuel is available around the corner at River City Brewing Company,” said Tate.
Commissioner Bronson Lamb wanted to know if the owners/developers intended to sell the marina down the road.
“It’s difficult to predict the long term future, but we plan to continue to lease the slips,” said Dodt.
• The Waterways Commission also heard from St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon, who provided a report on the recently-released St. Johns Riverkeeper Compliance Report. The report examined the waste water from 63 area water treatment facilities and how the state DEP was keeping tabs on those facilities.
“The No. 1 permit violation is related to nitrogen,” said Armingeon. “We all know nitrogen is the biggest problem facing the river. Some of the facilities were discharging more waste than permitted. JEA’s Julington Creek facility was the worst with 37 violations.”
Overall, the report uncovered 255 violations and Armingeon says there were more.
“That’s the minimum number,” he said. “We know there were more than 5 million gallons of raw spillage not captured.”
Armingeon said enforcement of current regulations is the key to protecting the river.
“We believe enforcement is a cost-effective way to deal with violators,” he said. “The report is not a criticism of the DEP — they have a difficult job. This is a way to keep them informed. One of the biggest problems is many of the area waste water treatment plants are old. The population growth is putting a strain on those older plants.”
Armingeon said Clay County has implemented an aggressive plan to completely eliminate waste water discharge into the St. Johns.
“Our goal is zero discharge,” he said. “They (Clay) are much farther along in re-use than we are.”
Also:
• Sgt. Leonard Popper of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Special Events/Marine Unit said JSO has received financial approval to build a new marine patrol facility at Lions Club Park.
“We are in the process of getting our surveys done and getting our permits,” he said.
• The Waterways Commission tabled a bill that would defer property taxes for commercial waterfront property owners until after the Jan. 29 statewide vote on the property tax referendum.
• Jody McDaniel, a planning and grants coordinator for the City, said the Army Corps of Engineers has permitted 21 of 25 artificial reef sites. The only restrictions on the permits are when the reefs can be constructed — it cannot conflict with Northern Wright Whale migration — and the type and weight of the material being used.