Fernandina Beach selects Dix.Hite+Partners to develop waterfront master plan

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

March 22, 2017 2:12 p.m.

Fernandina Beach waterfront and downtown

After listening to presentations from the three top-ranked responses to the city’s RFQ seeking a waterfront master plan consultant, Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) during their Regular Meeting on March 21, 2017, selected Dix.Hite+Partners as their first choice to help the city engage the citizenry in designing and implementing strategies to overcome years of conflict and inertia over waterfront/downtown redevelopment—and to find ways to pay for the improvements.

Commissioners instructed the City Manager and the City Attorney to enter into negotiations with the firm of Dix.Hite+Partners over terms for a professional services contract. The top 3 firms—Dix.Hite, TSW and GAI--were identified by a committee consisting of city staff and local citizens from 12 responses to the RFQ.

All three firms questioned the wisdom of the original waterfront planners in placing parking lots at the foot of Centre Street.

Dix.Hite+Partners stresses transparency in working with communities. They brought to fruition waterfront projects in both Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach. Members of their team have been attending various city meetings for months both in anticipation of bidding on the project and better understanding the issues and positions of commissioners and the public. A major part of their presentation involved their process of gaining consensus in the community.

Through what they termed a “6D approach” that has worked well in other communities, the consultant emphasized the importance of bringing people together to solve problems and address complex issues. Their community engagement techniques involve surveys, social media, workshops, walkabouts, “idea dinners,” online boards and focus groups.

Throughout their presentation they stressed that their job is to present a community supported plan, find ways to pay for it, and implement the plan.

Members of the Dix.Hite+Partners address FBCC questions (l-r: Beth Lemke, J.P. Weesner, Greg Bryla)

Project spokesman Greg Bryla, the Principal in Charge, said that Fernandina Beach has an “enviable downtown”, and that it is a great coastal town—without a coast. He said that the consultant’s job is to improve the waterfront experience by continually validating and redefining the waterfront through public input as mapping and design phases are developed. In the final analysis, it is the public’s plan, not the consultant’s plan, he said.

Vice Mayor Len Kreger told the consultants, “We don’t need a table top study.” He reminded them that many studies have already been done. Bryla acknowledged that and stressed that their goal is implementation. Team member Beth Lemke, who has worked previously for the city, told commissioners that concerns about money can be addressed, because there is money “out there” in the form of grants. Rather, she said, the hardest part is defining the project, and that’s why public input is so critical to the success of any plan.

Commissioner Tim Poynter emphasized the importance of involving a wide spectrum of the citizenry to get public buy-in on the project. He said that failure to involve enough of the citizens in a meaningful way bogged down previous attempts to advance waterfront redevelopment.

Commissioner Roy Smith also asked whether the consultants intended to consider challenges related to sea level rise and storm surge, and they said they did. They also acknowledged the need to address concerns over traffic circulation and the railroad.

Lemke said, “This project excites me. I was supposed to be meeting with the Governor in Tallahassee today, but I chose to be here instead.” She also added that the state wants to see Fernandina Beach do a waterfront stormwater project.

The project will be conducted during a relatively short time period, with public input to begin soon and a final product back to the FBCC by mid August.

The selected firm received first place votes from Commissioners John Miller and Tim Poynter and second place votes from the remaining three commissioners. The firm TSW received the second highest number of votes with first place rankings from Mayor Robin Lentz and Vice Mayor Len Kreger, but no second place votes. Commissioner Roy Smith ranked GAI first, while Miller and Poynter put them in second place.

To learn more about Dix.Hite+Partners, visit their website http://www.dixhite.com.

Slides below were also part of their presentation.

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.