Brett's Demolition Bids Open July 2; Fernandina Marina Rebuild Could Begin in August

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

FERNANDINA BEACH — Bids for the demolition of Brett's Waterway Cafe and reconstruction of a key section of the city marina will be opened July 2, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 10, Deputy City Manager Glenn Akramoff told the Waterfront Advisory Board on Monday.

The project, expected to be the most expensive capital undertaking in city history, will replace aging marina infrastructure, construct a new bulkhead and permanently transform the downtown waterfront.

Akramoff provided board members with an update on the marina rehabilitation and redevelopment project, which includes demolition of the former Brett's Waterway Cafe structure, construction of a new bulkhead, reconfiguration of marina facilities and improvements designed to support future waterfront development.

Following the July 2 bid opening, city commissioners will hold a workshop July 7 to review bid results, discuss funding options and receive a detailed briefing on project phasing and anticipated construction schedules.

"We will outline funding. We will outline what the bid is, our perspective, low bid and then walk through the project itself and the timing," Akramoff said. "We don't control total timing. The contractor does that."

The city has received strong interest from contractors. Akramoff said 28 representatives attended the pre-bid meeting, filling the room and generating extensive questions about the project's 385-page bid package.

"They ask questions, which tells us they're mitigating their risk," he said. "And that usually is a good sign of a good bid."

Even so, Akramoff cautioned that residents should be prepared for a significant price tag.

"It will be the most expensive project the city's ever done, regardless of what price we get," he said. "There will be sticker shock for some."

One of the city's primary objectives is keeping the marina functioning during construction.

Akramoff said the existing marina store and related facilities will be removed as part of the project. Operations will temporarily move into office space currently used by marina staff while the city evaluates options for a permanent replacement facility.

The city is also planning ahead for a future marina building. Akramoff said engineers have designed the new pier to be capable of supporting a structure if commissioners later decide to construct a marina store or operations center on the site.

Glenn Akramoff

"We don't have the funds now, but we know we need something," Akramoff said.

Construction plans include a series of bid alternatives allowing the commission flexibility to prioritize portions of the project depending on final costs and available funding. The city's top priority remains completion of the new pier structure.

Akramoff said maintaining access to marina facilities has been a central focus during project planning.

The city intends to keep most docks open throughout construction, with exceptions for docks directly affected by the new pier work. To accomplish that, contractors will build portions of the new infrastructure before removing existing facilities.

"Staging is super important," Akramoff said.

Fuel service will continue for most of the project through the installation of temporary fuel lines routed across a construction barge. However, some interruption will be unavoidable during final conversion work.

The city has established a four-to-eight-week window during which fuel operations could be shut down, although officials hope to keep the outage closer to four weeks.

Water and electrical service disruptions are also expected to be limited.

"We told them no more than 24 hours," Akramoff said, referring to utility outages serving marina tenants and boaters.

If the current schedule holds, construction could begin around Aug. 10. Akramoff said feedback from contractors suggests many are prepared to start work quickly after a contract is awarded.

The most visible phase of the project will likely occur in September when demolition crews are expected to begin dismantling the former Brett's Waterway Cafe building, a longtime downtown landmark that once served as a major attraction for visitors and residents alike.

"We're anticipating that the Brett's itself will come down sometime in September," Akramoff said. "It will be a totally different look when everything comes down."

Because of the waterfront location, most demolition debris and construction materials will be transported by barge rather than through downtown streets. Akramoff said the city wants to minimize truck traffic and reduce impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.

"Everything else is going by barge because we don't want to pollute our town," he said.

The city plans to provide regular progress reports to the Waterfront Advisory Board throughout construction and may conduct periodic site visits so board members can observe the work firsthand. When completed, the project will deliver a new bulkhead, rebuilt marina infrastructure and a reconfigured waterfront layout intended to support future development along Fernandina Harbor.