Officials, residents press for short-term repairs and water access at George Crady fishing pier

City and state officials met with residents and local elected leaders at a Jacksonville information session on the George Crady fishing pier to discuss repair responsibilities, immediate user needs and longer-term restoration options.

Councilman Mike Gay, City Council District 2, opened the meeting by summarizing a standing funding arrangement: “the city contributes, Jacksonville contributes $35,000 a year, to the trust … and Nassau contribute $15,000 a year,” money he said is intended to support the pier through a trustee-managed account. Gay said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) was designated in the agreement to accept responsibility for future upkeep after transfer from FDOT, but attendees said the agency has not acted to make repairs.

The session drew several council members and Representative Dean Black, who urged a mix of near-, intermediate- and long-term steps. “In the immediate term, there's been discussion of putting up bait stations and restroom facilities … that should be doable,” Representative Black said, noting a…