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Port Canaveral advances Jetty Park master plan and commercial fishing facility; staff details projects and budget
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Summary
Port staff outlined a concept master plan for Jetty Park with roughly $14M budgeted for the program and described an upland/waterside commercial fishing facility (34 upland spaces, 16 wet slips) to be developed with a continuing‑services architect and waterside contractor; board discussion and public comment supported the projects.
Port staff presented a concept master plan for Jetty Park and detailed a separate one‑acre West‑End commercial fishing uplands and waterside project during the monthly meeting.
Staff said the combined recent and proposed recreational investments total roughly $25 million. The Jetty Park master plan concept calls for paved internal roadways, renovation of all 138 RV camping pads with new concrete pads and utility hookups, expanded parking, new bathhouses and an improved entrance for emergency egress. Staff said the concept budget for Jetty Park is nearly $14 million; the plan is at concept design and will move to full design and a bidding process once details are finalized.
On the commercial fishing facility, staff described two procurement actions: hiring Mel d Studio Architecture for uplands design and a $58,000 purchase order to Rush Marine for waterside work. The uplands scope described 34 public/POV parking spaces, four truck/boat‑trailer spaces, 17 non‑air‑conditioned mini storage units, a 20×40 hurricane‑rated pavilion with a fish‑cleaning station and a modular concrete pad for mobilization (restroom trailer or small office). Waterside improvements are described as 16 wet slips with floating pile‑supported piers and utility hookups on the piers, with capacity for roughly 18 vessels including extra spots at the T‑dock.
Jim Bussey, owner of Seafood Atlantic, thanked the board and staff for the facility and called it the port’s first purpose‑built commercial fishing facility. Commissioner comments at the meeting reiterated support for accommodating commercial fishermen and noted that leasing a small upland footprint to fishermen who self‑manage could avoid heavy operational micromanagement by the port.
Next steps: staff will proceed with design, complete procurement for waterside and uplands work, finalize lease details with the Port Canaveral Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and return to the board on construction timing and costs.
