Thread: Jacksonville Port Authority looking at 20 sites for possible cruise ship terminal

Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Rick Ferrin says about 20 are being evaluated.

MAYPORT - The Jacksonville Port Authority is looking at about 20 sites for a new cruise ship terminal, not just Mayport, Chief Executive Officer Rick Ferrin said this week.

In a presentation to the Mayport Waterfront Partnership on Tuesday, Ferrin said the Port Authority plans to move its cruise ship terminal from its site west of the Dames Point bridge to a new location, most likely between there and the mouth of the St. Johns River. Ferrin acknowledged the Port Authority is still considering Mayport, but along with many other sites.

"We have restarted that process to the extent that we have gone all the way back to re-look at every single site that we've identified in the past six or seven years," Ferrin said. "We have not selected a final site yet. We are looking to ultimately come to that conclusion within the next several weeks."

In March, the Port Authority ordered a study on the possibility of building a terminal east of the Dames Point bridge. While Ferrin said his staff is reviewing about 20 sites, he said the Port Authority is only publicly disclosing Mayport, where it owns land.

Two years ago, the Port Authority purchased about 8 acres of waterfront land in Mayport for about $9 million to build a $60 million cruise ship terminal. That plan was halted a year ago because of the slumping economy.

The Mayport proposal touched off a backlash by residents, who have been openly hostile to the Port Authority. The Mayport Civic Association has a civil lawsuit pending against Port Authority and Jacksonville seeking a Circuit Court injunction to block a terminal in Mayport.

But Tuesday's Waterfront Partnership meeting brought a more civil dialogue with Ferrin.

Partnership member Ronda McDonald asked Ferrin if the Port Authority is considering any other site near a neighborhood similar to the enclave of homes in Mayport.

"Yes, some of the sites we have looked at are adjacent to neighborhoods, maybe not as densely populated as the Mayport fishing village," Ferrin said.

Ferrin said the Port Authority is essentially "starting from scratch" seeking a site for the new terminal and that the projected $60 million cost has also been abandoned until a new plan is formulated.

Others at the meeting wondered what the Port Authority would do with its Mayport property if it chooses another site. The waterfront property is fenced off and overgrown.

"That's an excellent question," Ferrin said. He said he can't answer that until a new site is selected.

"I guarantee you when we get to the point where we decide either Mayport is the place and we come back to you for your input or someplace else is the place to put the cruise terminal and Mayport is not, we will definitely engage with the community to talk about the future and what we do with that property," Ferrin said.

Mayport Waterfront Partnership Chairman Gary Crumley said the fact that Ferrin showed up and fielded questions was a huge relief.

"I am very pleased that the dialogue has been opened up again," Crumley said after Tuesday's meeting. "I believe that the acrimony has been dialed down. This is a big step forward."

fmi: Jacksonville Port Authority looking at 20 sites for possible cruise ship terminal | jacksonville.com

Jacksonville definitely needs to build another terminal! Hopefully, one that will be able to accomodate larger ships than the current port location. That bridge is keeping the larger ships from being able to reach the Jacksonville port.

Would LOVE to have another port available to sail from...and other cruise lines besides Carnival.

So agree with Char!

That would be great!

I also agree, it would be a 2 hour flight from Norfolk and reasonable prices (SW), so if they could get more ports it would be nice. Any one know why you can't go to Bermuda from FL?