by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
It wasn’t unanimous, but the Jacksonville Port Authority is one step closer to bringing a cruise ship terminal to Mayport Village. By a 6-3 vote, the Jacksonville Waterways Commission approved Thursday a land use change for 7.04 acres in the historic shrimping village, paving the way for the Port Authority to move its cruise ship terminal from the current Dames Point location to an area much closer to the Atlantic Ocean.
David Kaufman, senior director of planning and properties for the Port Authority, pitched the project to the Commission. The legislation would change the land use designation from community/general commercial to water dependent-water related. According to Kaufman, there are several more hurdles to clear before the Port Authority can break ground on the controversial project.
“We have to go in front of the Planning Commission this afternoon and two City Council committees — LUZ (Land Use and Zoning) and TEU (Transportation Energy & Utilities). Then, the full Council,” said Kaufman, adding approvals are also needed from the State Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Waterways Commission Chair and Council member Bill Bishop led the opposition.
“I have serious problems with this property. I don’t think Mayport is the right place. I think it’s too small,” said Bishop. “It will literally obliterate the area.”
The Port Authority contends the Mayport location will be a major economic boost for an area that has been struggling for the better part of two decades. In addition to providing jobs and cleaning up the area, Kaufman said the Port will make infrastructure improvements to the area including the widening of Ocean Street from two to three lanes and the construction of sidewalks and a bicycle lane. Kaufman said the Port Authority has met with concerned citizens and feels as though the terminal will be well-received.
“We have had a number of meetings in Mayport Village, two large meetings. We have also met with the Arlington and Beaches CPAC,” said Kaufman.
If the project comes to fruition, the new terminal will consist of a two-story, 90,000 square-foot building and 1,400 feet of waterfront to accommodate a 1,000-foot cruise ship. Kaufman said surface parking was considered, but it was determined it would require too much land. Instead, a five-story parking garage will be built across Ocean Street from the terminal. There will also be a lot for overflow and employee parking and one for oversized vehicles such as RVs.
“The cruise ship will be out (of port) more than it’s in and there will be public access to the waterfront,” said Kaufman. “The terminal building will be available (for functions) when the ship is not in port.
“We think this is good for the community and good for the village and a way to spur economic development in the area.”
Those opposed to the project were leery of environmental issues as well as the increased traffic. In order to build the terminal and waterfront support structure, the Port will need DEP permission to fill a little over two acres of the St. Johns River. Members of the Commission questioned whether that permit would be granted.
Attorney Al Millar lives on Ocean Street and said he plans to file a Sunshine Law action to stop the project. Millar contends the space the cruise ship will occupy should be included in the land use legislation. He also said the Port Authority included the new terminal in its 2007 master plan and 2007-08 budget. However, Council approved the terminal in September of 2007.
“The meeting of Sept. 11 (2007) was ceremonial more than anything,” said Millar.
Atlantic Beach Commissioner and former Mayport Waterfront Partnership Chair Paul Parsons said he favors the project and realizes it’s the best way to revitalize the area.
“There will be traffic and there will be other issues, but we can overcome them,” said Parsons. “This helps the city as a whole.”
In addition to the traffic issues, Bishop said the Navy will play a role in the area.
“What if Mayport gets a carrier? Mayport isn’t going anywhere. It’s too valuable a facility,” said Bishop. “They (the Navy) have got to make more of it. Mayport is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the country. I don’t plan to support this when it gets to Council.”
Kaufman said the Port Authority paid about $12 million for the land that was owned by the Roland family and Vestcor. He said since the project is in the preliminary stages, there’s no way to determine even a ballpark overall cost. Ideally, he said, Council will approve the project next month and the Port Authority board will vote on it in January.
In other news from the Waterways meeting, Dr. Quinton White of Jacksonville University said there have been four manatee deaths since Sept. 1.
“The necropsies aren’t back, but a large ship cut one of the animals in half,” he said. “We are not sure what is going on. This defies logic.”
According to White, the deaths occurred primarily downriver. Oct. 22 one was found near the Mayport Ferry slip. Three days later a dead manatee was found near the Matt Carlucci Boat Ramp and another three days later one was found near Heckscher Drive.
“This is a little unusual to say the least,” said White.
A meeting between White, the Port Authority and the other large, private shippers in the area is being scheduled to determine what is causing the deaths. White said the manatees were sent to St. Petersburg for the necropsies, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
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