Q: What are the infrastructure projects that paid parking revenues will fund, and why are they necessary?
A: Downtown has not been revitalized since the 1970s, and it needs it again. Street lights are mismatched, and some are irreparable. Sidewalks are made of different materials and are buckling due to tree roots, and much of the city’s electrical infrastructure has not been updated in 50 years. About 25 to 30 years ago, a project began to put utilities underground, but it stopped at the side streets. The original plan was to extend undergrounding to Eighth Street; engineering plans have been completed, with an estimated cost of $20 million to $30 million.
Paid parking is a way of monetizing an asset in need of repair to help fund those improvements.
Q: Citizens opposed to paid parking have raised concerns that the city could overturn a citizen initiative. Is that possible?
A: The August vote sets requirements for citizen involvement, and the November vote would determine whether residents want paid parking. The city’s charter was updated in 2020 based on models from other localities. A supermajority can override citizen petitions, as the commission is ultimately responsible for determining what is best for the city, even when citizen initiatives may not align with those interests.
Q: How does the city approach capital improvement projects, and what is the priority for stormwater infrastructure?
A: I refer to capital improvement projects as “community investment projects” because that is what they are. The city’s stormwater master plan is expected to be approved this month and addresses flooding, which is projected to become a significant issue within the next five years. The plan was developed through analysis of topography and water flow. A state law requires municipalities to stop discharging stormwater and wastewater into bodies of water and make systems fully reusable by 2032.
Q: What is the status of the Brett’s demolition and the city’s waterfront plans?
A: The Brett’s demolition is also a major project. The city has received $6 million in state appropriations for replacement of the seawall. A waterfront master plan is being developed, and the city is working with private property owners along the seawall from downtown to the port to coordinate rebuilding efforts.
Q: The city recently purchased the land across from city hall, with speculation that it could be the site of a new city hall. What does the future of city hall look like?
A: The current city hall is an older building that previously served as a fire station. City employees are spread across multiple locations, including the Peck Center and the city attorney’s office, and consolidating services into one building would improve efficiency. Additionally, the city lacks adequate space for residents to meet with staff.
Our City Manager Sarah Campbell has done a great job of envisioning what the future of city hall could look like with streamlined operations.
Genece Minshew is a City Commissioner for Fernandina Beach. Questions or comments can be directed to her at gminshew@fbfl.city or 904-780-4188.
