Fernandina Beach Commission Prioritizes Seawall, Soccer Fields and City parcel Purchase for 2026

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

The Fernandina Beach City Commission last week designated shoreline protection, youth sports facilities and a key downtown land purchase as top priorities for its 2026 agenda, ranking seawall construction as its top capital priority during a daylong strategy workshop.

At the goals and vision session held last Thursday at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Club, commissioners scored and ranked their preferred capital and operational initiatives for the coming year. Seawall segment construction received the highest total score, 18 points, followed by construction of soccer fields at Ybor Alvarez (16 points) and acquisition of the Marlin & Barrel property at 115 South Second Street (14 points).

The rankings were tabulated after each commissioner rated proposed goals on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 representing the highest priority.

Oddly, Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue cast no votes on Capital projects.

The top-ranked project — seawall construction — reflected continued concern over resiliency and flood protection of the city’s waterfront assets. Commissioners have been exploring grant partnerships and long-term planning for completion of remaining seawall segments.

Soccer fields at Ybor Alvarez also ranked highly. The discussion underscored ongoing uncertainty related to Federal Aviation Administration runway protection zone land use restrictions, wetlands issues on the municipal golf course property, and funding sources. The city must also begin paying approximately $300,000 annually for use of the Ybor property, according to workshop materials. Nassau County previously pledged $1.7 million toward acquisition, though that commitment predated the county’s expansion of the East Nassau Regional Sports Complex.

Acquisition of the Marlin & Barrel parcel at 115 South Second Street — listed at $2.2 million — placed third among capital goals. City Manager Sarah Campbell told commissioners that impact fees and Community Redevelopment Agency funds could be used for the purchase. A short-term gravel parking lot was suggested as an interim use if acquired. The commission reached majority consensus to pursue purchase options.

Lower-ranked capital items included replacement of the Atlantic Recreation Center (5 points), downtown revitalization (3 points), and demolition and redevelopment of Brett’s (2 points).

On the operational side, customer service improvements topped the list with 15 points. Commissioners specifically highlighted improvements in the Building Department and Code Enforcement, each noted for 5 points within that category.

“Regain public trust” ranked second with 12 points, reflecting discussion during the workshop about citizen confidence in local government.

Hiring of a Chief Resilience Officer also received 12 points. Campbell said the position could be structured as a conservation or stormwater role, folded into an existing organizational chart position or created as a new hire. Utilities Director Andre Desilet noted that in other municipalities the role is often filled by an engineer whose responsibilities overlap planning and engineering functions. Stormwater fee revenue could partially fund the position, commissioners were told.

Other operational goals included marina operations transition (9 points) necessitated by the termination with a private operator, dune protection ordinance improvements (3 points), air and water quality monitoring (2 points), and golf course management (2 points).

The commission reached consensus to move marina management in-house following termination of Alliance’s contract effective April 1, 2026. A Harbor Master Plan is expected to begin soon, with Phase 1 focusing on collaboration with affected waterfront property owners.

During individual presentations, commissioners outlined broader themes.

Commissioner Genece Minshew emphasized long-term planning, stormwater master planning, and process improvements.

Commissioner Joyce Tuten prioritized protecting city assets, dune ordinance enhancements and expanded tree planting.

Vice Mayor Ayscue advocated changing the land-use designation of a city-owned South Eighth Street parcel to recreation for a future pocket park and criticized goals sessions as ineffective, citing a disconnect with residents.

Commissioner Tim Poynter pointed to efficiency improvements and waterfront development accomplishments in 2025 and reiterated interest in the Marlin & Barrel acquisition.

Mayor James Antun emphasized fiscal discipline, noting the golf course and marina are no longer relying on General Fund subsidies, and continued advancement of seawall development and waterfront park completion.

Further discussion on the Ybor soccer fields is scheduled for the commission’s March 3 workshop, where staff will be prepared to address wetlands delineation, tree inventory, runway protection zone acreage and impacts to the Amelia Island Soccer fall 2026 season.

The commission is expected to follow a 2026 timeline for formal adoption of the prioritized goals and objectives in upcoming meetings.