Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Paul Anderson will lead a delegation to Washington, D.C., next week for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review of the Mile Point navigational project.
The project, intended to mitigate a navigational impediment to ship traffic in the St. Johns River, is scheduled to go before the Civil Works Review Board of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tuesday.
“This is a big milestone for Mile Point in the Army Corps of Engineers process,” said Chris Kauffmann, chief operating officer of the port.
“This is where the district here in Jacksonville and the division in Atlanta are making their case to the Army Corps in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
Kauffmann spoke at the Jacksonville Port Authority meeting Wednesday, where Mile Point and other issues were discussed, including the St. Johns River Ferry. The board also elected a new slate of officers.
Kauffmann said Anderson will lead the delegation to Washington, D.C. “This will be our opportunity to make the case in front of the Civil Works Review Board, which is the military side of the Army Corps of Engineers,” he said.
The project was developed to improve the flow of the St. Johns River at Mile Point, where the colliding currents of the Intracoastal Waterway and the St. Johns River pose navigational hindrances for deep draft vessels during some tidal conditions.
Kauffmann expects the proposal to pass without resistance and, if it does pass, the next step in the process is the release of the Chief of Engineers report, which is scheduled for March.
The document will be used in the authorization process if it is presented to the U.S. Congress for consideration.
Regarding the St. Johns River Ferry, Anderson said it does not generate a profit and the operation is eating into the port’s bottom line.
The port took over operation of the ferry from the City in 2007. It connects the north and south ends of Florida A1A in Duval County, linking Mayport Village and Fort George Island.
The 0.9-mile ferry transit saves motorists 28 miles over a driving route that uses the Dames Point bridge to cross the river.
“We are looking at every individual business, everything that we do, with an eye toward investing in high return projects. Projects that have a good return,” said Anderson.
“When we looked at the ferry, as did the state, as did the City, there wasn’t a good return on the project, so they turned it over to the next willing recipient,” he said.
Anderson said he expects to spend more than $3 million in improvements for the ferry over the next year. This is in addition to the $750,000 the port claims to lose every year operating the ferry.
“We plan to work with our board, our City Council,” said Anderson. “This is something we can’t afford.”
He said he would like to see the Transportation Planning Organization recommend that multiple cities invest in the ferry.
The meeting Wednesday included new board member John Falconetti, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott and is awaiting Florida Senate approval of his appointment.
The JPA board approved a new slate of officers, unanimously electing Reginald Gaffney as chairman, Stephen Busey as vice chairman, Jim Citrano as treasurer and Joe York as secretary.
Mayor Alvin Brown appointed John Allen Newman to the board on Wednesday to replace former board Chairman David Kulik, who did not seek reappointment. Newman’s appointment awaits Council approval.
“I made this difficult decision as my other volunteer commitments, both locally and nationally, prevent me from remaining on the board,” said Kulik.
“I pledge to continue to advocate for port investment and progress in every way possible in support of the outstanding management team and board of directors. It was truly an honor to serve,” he said.
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