Commission awards $12.6 million marina overhaul; Brett’s demolition set for this year

FERNANDINA BEACH — City commissioners unanimously approved a $12.58 million marina redevelopment package Tuesday that will demolish Brett’s Waterway Cafe, replace deteriorating waterfront infrastructure and reconfigure a major section of the city marina.

The 5-0 vote awarded the primary $9.66 million construction contract to Jacksonville-based Baker Design Build. Work is expected to begin between mid- and late August, with Brett’s scheduled to come down by the end of the year.

The entire project is tentatively scheduled for completion Dec. 3, 2027.

“This project encompasses dredging, removing Brett’s and the current wall and putting in a new seawall, resiliency wall in as well as replacing the pier and then doing the over-water fueling,” Deputy City Manager Glenn Akramoff told commissioners.

The city received four bids for the work. Baker submitted the lowest bid, and Akramoff said city staff and engineering consultant Passero Associates reviewed the company’s submission.

“We’re comfortable with their bid and all of their tabulations,” he said.

The approved construction package includes:

• $9,658,413.94 for the main marina redevelopment;
• $352,832.99 for a westward pier extension;
• $480,420.90 for an over-water fueling system;
• $304,400 for construction administration;
• $150,600 for construction observation;
• $238,560 for construction inspection; and
• $1,347,673 in construction contingency funding.

Commissioners also authorized a separate $50,000 administrative contingency for community outreach, relocation of temporary facilities and other expenses associated with the project. That brings the total authorization to approximately $12.58 million.

The project will be financed through several sources. More than half — approximately $6.8 million — is expected to come from the city’s Pinnacle Bank line of credit. The funding plan also includes $3 million in state grant money, approximately $1.57 million from paid parking revenue, about $673,000 from Community Redevelopment Area reserves and approximately $559,000 from a Florida Inland Navigation District grant for dredging.

The resolution allows the city to transfer as much as $4 million during the current fiscal year from the Capital Improvement, Community Redevelopment Area, Marina Operations and Paid Parking Revenue funds and the bank line of credit. Additional budget resolutions will return to the commission as construction advances.

City documents describe the existing marina seawall as approximately 100 years old. Its tieback system is believed to have rusted through, and the wall needs additional height to protect against higher tides and flooding.

The vacant Brett’s building also has a deteriorating foundation, with pilings falling into the Amelia River and creating safety and water-flow problems, according to the city.

Akramoff said construction will begin with one or two weeks of mobilization as equipment is brought to the waterfront. The contract allows 480 days for construction and includes planned shutdowns to accommodate the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival and smaller events.

“We will make sure the community knows when that happens,” Akramoff said. “There will be mobilization first, so there’ll be a week or two of bringing in equipment. Then when they start to work, we’ll let everybody know when that kickoff is.”

The city plans to provide weekly construction updates through a marina redevelopment page on its website. Signs with QR codes will direct waterfront visitors to the information, while fact sheets will be distributed through the Welcome Center, nearby businesses and community organizations.

A public stakeholder meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at City Hall, with an online attendance option. Although the meeting is intended in part for marina operators, boaters and nearby businesses, city officials said it is open to residents.

Commissioner Genece Minshew questioned whether the city has enough staff to manage the marina redevelopment while simultaneously overseeing numerous other capital projects.

“I’m just really concerned about these other projects we’ve already committed to and that it’s not realistic to think that the limited staff the city has can actually do all this in the time frame that you put out,” Minshew said. “I’m going to vote yes, but I’m just telling you that it’s a really big concern for me, and I’m going to keep asking questions about it.”

Akramoff said approximately eight city employees and consultants will be involved in managing the marina work, with a daily construction inspector and additional personnel from Baker and Passero.

“This is probably a team of eight managing this one project,” he said. “Does it take that many? Sure it does.”

Baker will be responsible for managing the construction schedule, while city staff will monitor the contractor’s performance and address problems as they arise, Akramoff said.

“It’s not our job to manage every detail,” he said. “It’s our job to solve the problems. We have to be there to make the decisions and solve the problems, and that’s our staff role in this.”

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