By Kate Kimmel
Fernandina Beach officials spent about $40 million on capital improvement projects during fiscal year 2025, marking what city leaders described as a pivotal period for long-delayed infrastructure investments.
Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson delivered the city’s annual project update report to the City Commission on Tuesday, outlining major construction, redevelopment and maintenance efforts funded through a mix of local, state and federal sources.
Glisson said the scale and scope of projects reflect a rare moment in the city’s history, with initiatives long discussed now moving from planning to completion. He said the city’s focus has shifted toward preventative investment, replacing aging assets before they fail rather than responding after problems occur.
Among the most significant projects completed or underway during the fiscal year were the construction of Fire Station 2, the Waterfront Park at Amelia River, the North Second Street redevelopment and the design phase of the city’s riverfront seawall project.
Fire Station 2, which opened in January, cost approximately $5 million and was financed through a bank loan repaid from the city’s general fund, with some assistance from the Florida Department of Transportation. The project took several years to complete and includes updated equipment intended to improve emergency response times for fire and rescue crews.
The city also committed $2.3 million in parks and recreation impact fees toward construction of the Waterfront Park along the Amelia River. The park is expected to be completed in February 2026.
Redevelopment of North Second Street totaled $650,000 and was funded through the city’s Community Redevelopment Area, Tree Trust Fund and Paving Management Fund. As part of its transportation efforts, the city reported a record $990,000 transportation budget for 2025, which allowed for paving 5.6 miles of the city’s roughly 70 miles of roadway.
Flood protection along the riverfront remains a major long-term priority. During the fiscal year, the city received $1 million from a state appropriation grant administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to fund the design of a seawall. The total cost of the riverfront flood protection wall project is estimated at $19 million.
Additional projects completed or funded during the year included an $847,000 water meter replacement program that replaced 3,100 meters, $200,000 to rehabilitate five beach access boardwalks, and participation in Nassau County shore rehabilitation projects supported by federal funding.
The city also spent $500,000 on downtown revitalization efforts, $500,000 to implement CityView local government software, $50,000 for skatepark facility reconstruction and $88,000 to resurface the Martin Luther King Jr. pool.
Glisson said the combined investments represent a strategic effort to modernize infrastructure and maintain city assets as Fernandina Beach continues to grow.
kkimmel@nassaunewsline.net
