FBCC discusses new City Hall

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

January 8, 2020

City Hall building as it originally looked prior to modernization attempts

Fernandina Beach City Commissioners considered but deferred engaging a consultant to study options for a new or renovated City Hall at their January 7, 2020 Regular Meeting.

Following discussion, Commissioners directed the City Manager to limit the scope of study to three possible options: building a new City Hall on the city-owned lot across S. 2nd Street currently used as both a park and a parking lot; renovating and expanding the existing City Hall; and a combination of the two that would keep and renovate the existing City Hall while adding a second building across 2nd Street.

Commissioner Chip Ross reminded commissioners that the Building Department Fund contains money that can only be used for the Building Department. He suggested that if an annex were to be built across the street to house the Building Department that fund could be tapped as a funding source.  Vice Mayor Len Kreger endorsed this idea, adding that other city offices could also be housed in that annex.

Commissioner Phil Chapman asked that as part of a study, consideration be given to possible uses for the existing City Hall property, should the recommendation be to build a new City Hall.

Although the City has worked for many years to acquire the Historic Post Office Building at 4th and Centre Streets for repurposing as City Hall, the position of the United States Post Office is that the property is not for sale. Even intervention by Florida Senators and Representatives has not changed the USPS’ position. Commissioners concluded that continuing to pursue this property would not be productive, especially as the City’s space needs have outgrown the existing, aging City Hall Building.

Given the consensus of the FBCC, the City Manager may reconsider the need for a consultant and move directly to issuing an RFQ.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.