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Interim city manager: $2 million Waterfront Park goes to bid; construction expected before next year’s Shrimp Festival
Summary
Interim City Manager Jeremiah Glisson told the Fernandina Beach Youth Advisory Council the city is putting the $2,000,000 Waterfront Park project out for bid this week, expects construction later this year and aims to have it ready by next year’s Shrimp Festival.
Interim City Manager Jeremiah Glisson told the Youth Advisory Council that the City Commission has approved the Waterfront Park plan and the $2,000,000 project is being put out for bid this week. "That's a $2,000,000 project that's going out for bid this week," he said, and the city expects construction to start later this year with the goal of completing major elements in time for next year’s Shrimp Festival.
Glisson spoke to the council during an update on city projects, describing other recreation priorities including the design for an expanded skate park and a town hall meeting scheduled for the following evening to discuss potential changes at Central Park, a 20-acre green space that hosts multiple community activities. "We gotta start with the design to figure out what's gonna cost, how it'll work," he said of the skate-park expansion.
The city manager framed the Waterfront Park work as part of broader efforts to improve downtown amenities, adding planned features such as restrooms, artwork and a splash pad to replace a currently underused parking area. He said staff expect the successful bidder to be selected after the bid process and that construction timing will depend on contracting and permitting steps.
Why it matters: the waterfront project is a major capital investment in downtown amenities and will affect public uses of the shoreline and adjacent parking. The timing also overlaps with other park discussions — including petitions to preserve open play space and relocating game courts — that the council may weigh in on at upcoming public meetings.
What the council heard and next steps: Glisson encouraged council members to attend the town hall on Central Park and other public meetings; staff indicated the commission will finalize the next city manager appointment soon. The city’s statements about budget and schedule were given at the meeting; the final project timeline and contractor selection will be determined through the bid process and subsequent city approvals.
