by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
In light of the recent news that there’s a good chance the City may foreclose on the Shipyards property and take ownership of the riverfront parcel of land, ideas about what to do next with the site are being kicked around.
Thursday morning, Jacksonville Waterways Commission member Ed Grey Jr. said if the City does take control of the property and — due to the current development climate — chooses not to put a request for proposal on the street, the Waterways Commission should urge the mayor’s office and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission to consider making at least part of the property a public park. Grey’s idea centers on converting an area of the bulkhead into dock space big enough to handle boats that currently have nowhere to moor in the Downtown area.
“It’s disturbing to read about the possibility of problems with the Shipyards and the possibility of another failure there,” said Grey. “As a Commission, we have an obligation to look at the property as an opportunity for greater access for the citizens.”
The Shipyards is currently owned by LandMar, the second developer in the last several years to own and attempt to develop the property. TriLegacy was the first, but failed and eventually ended up in front of a grand jury. LandMar took ownership in 2005, but recently notified the City that it didn’t pay $3.2 million in property taxes from last year. Ron Barton, executive director of the JEDC, has informed LandMar it has until Thursday to pay the property taxes or the City will begin foreclosure proceedings on the 40.66-acre riverfront property.
Grey said LandMar planned to develop what he calls a “transient marina” similar to one in Tampa. If the City does take possession of the property, Grey is convinced a transient marina could be developed on the Shipyards site and it wouldn’t cost the City much.
“A considerable amount of the expenses of the Tampa marina were paid for by the federal government,” said Grey, referring to the grants available for such projects. “We need to take a look at this before the City does something else with the property. This is a great opportunity to expand public access.”
Waterways Chair and City Council member Bill Bishop agreed.
“There has been a lot of talk around the city, but we have to wait until LandMar settles the issue,” said Bishop. “There are a lot of ideas on the table and this is certainly good to put in the mix.”
Barton said the 19-point Downtown action plan does contain an objective of better marine linkage and public access. However, any talk of converting the Shipyards into a public marina or park should be put on hold.
“It is extremely premature to have that conversation because we don’t own the property,” said Barton, adding there are other areas Downtown outside of the Shipyards that could be explored as possible transient marinas.
While there are a handful of marinas in the Downtown area, none of them are capable of handling the types of vessels Grey says would like to dock Downtown. The marinas at Metropolitan Park, River City Brewing Company and near the Wyndham can all handle small pleasure boats. Grey says what’s missing is a marina that can handle yachts 70 feet and bigger.
“That facility, as planned by both developers, would have been for large vessel mooring. It’s a perfect area for that,” said Waterways member Steve Nichols. “One of the deficiencies Jacksonville has for in yachting is there is nothing for the 70-foot boats. Most marinas are too shallow or inaccessible. This would put Jacksonville on the yachting forefront.
“This has been in the plans for the development and it needs to stay in the plans.”
In other news from the Waterways meeting:
• Commissioner Susan Grandin said the State Senate passed a bill that will require contractors and anyone else installing or making repairs to irrigation systems to install hydro-sensitive systems. This system uses a sensor that detects the moisture level of the soil and assure that irrigation systems on automatic timers don’t come on during or right after rain.
“Unfortunately, this was the only water conservation measure passed by the Senate,” said Grandin.
If caught, violators will first pay a $50 fine, then $100 and finally $250.
“For an irrigation contractor, that can add up,” she said.
• Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Director Dr. Quinton White said he is worried there may be another major algae bloom this summer. High temperatures and a lack of rainfall have raised the salinity level of areas of the St. Johns River.
“We may start seeing the river turn green again,” said White.
• Current manatee counts are down slightly and Dr. Gerald Pinto of JU says this is also due to the lack of rain and high salinity levels of the river. While Pinto did count 34 manatees during a May 6 flight, he thinks many have retreated upriver in search of fresher water and more vegetation.
• Former and longtime Waterways members John Lowe and Jim Bailey were honored for their years of service on the Commission through Council resolutions. Between them, Lowe (1999-2009) and Bailey (1988-2008) served for 30 years.
“We wanted to honor both of you gentlemen for your many, many years of service,” said Bishop. “You are both sincerely missed.”
356-2466