Improvements to Exchange Island under the Mathews Bridge and dredging Fishing Creek in Ortega were two of the 12 projects submitted to the Florida Inland Navigation District June 12 by the Jacksonville Waterways Commission.
The list of projects has a total price tag of about $1.5 million and the City seeks to split the cost of the projects with the district.
The proposed projects included in City grant funding applications are:
• Arlington Lions Club Boardwalk Phase I. Cost: $80,840 with a City contribution of $40,420 for design and permitting of a shoreline boardwalk about 750 feet along the St. Johns River. It will connect to an existing boardwalk at Blue Cypress Park.
• Charles Reese Fishing Pier Phase I. Cost: $88,500 with a City contribution of $44,250 for design and permitting of a fishing pier at Charles Reese Park.
• County Dock Boat Ramp Phase I. Cost: $92,520 with a City contribution of $46,260 to replace the ramp, enhance parking and eliminate the navigational hazards at the Mandarin waterways facility.
• Exchange Island Phase I. Cost: $115,760 with a City contribution of $57,880 for design and permitting for a small boat dock and shoreline kayak area, two pavilions with tables and grills and a hiking trail.
• Fishing Creek Dredge Phase II. Cost: $450,000 with a City contribution of $225,000 to dredge portions of Fishing Creek channel in Ortega that are not in compliance with the dredge template that was designed and dredged in 2007 by the City.
• Half Moon Boat Ramp Phase I. Cost: $50,200 with a City contributionof $25,100 for design and permitting of a motorized boat ramp and boat trailer parking at Half Moon Island Park.
• Half Moon Kayak Launch Phase I. Cost: $90,200 with a City contribution of $45,100 for design and permitting of a new waterfront park. Construction will include access/entrance road, parking, picnic pavilions, fishing pier and a kayak/canoe launch. The project will be designed to supplement the boat ramp project if the permits for the boat ramp are approved.
• Lighting at two boat ramps. Cost: $287,860 with a City contribution of $143,930 to add lighting to Jim King Park and Intracoastal Waterway at Beach Boulevard.
• Northbank Riverwalk Phase I. Cost: $80,000 with a City contribution of $40,000 for design and permitting to replace an existing wooden pedestrian bridge at Sidney Gefen Riverwalk Park. The proposed project will fill in a small cove area of the park, bulkhead the shoreline and construct the section with pavers to match the existing walking path.
• Northshore Kayak Launch Phase I. Cost: $58,700 with a City contribution of $29,350 for design and permitting a stabilized shoreline kayak/canoe launch and provide an access from the existing parking.
• Ortega Channel Markers Phase II. Cost: $33,600 with a City contribution of $16,800 for installation of eight new channel marker buoys and the replacement of three existing buoys in the Ortega River.
• Sisters Creek Dock Redesign Phase I. Cost: $70,760 with a City contribution of $35,380. The project suggests relocating the floating docks further from the shore because of siltation beneath them since installation. The first phase of the project will involve the survey, design and permitting for relocating the docks and pilings.
"(The FIND board of commissioners) didn't have a lot of questions when we made our presentation. We'll just have to see how it goes," said City Planner Jody McDaniel, during a Jacksonville Waterways Commission FIND subcommittee meeting Wednesday.
The district will release a list of approved projects in September.
The Florida Inland Navigation District has two primary missions: to perform the functions of the "local sponsor" of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway project, and provide assistance to other governments to develop waterway access and improvement projects.
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