Fernandina Beach eyes $1.5M columbarium as cemetery space runs out

Columbarium conceptual drawing

By Mike Lednovich/Editor

Fernandina Beach - City Commissioners are advancing plans to build a columbarium at Bosque Bello Cemetery as traditional burial space dwindles to what staff estimates is a five-year supply.

“Our cemetery is currently running out of traditional graves,” said City Parks Director Scott Mikelson, echoing staff findings presented to the City Commission. “Estimated at about 600 graves remaining… These graves will sell in about five years based on historical data.”

The proposal, discussed during an April 21 city commission workshop, represents a renewed push on a concept first introduced in 2020 but shelved before construction.

The Parks Department staff framed the columbarium — a structure designed to house cremated remains — as both a response to changing burial preferences and a practical solution to space constraints.

“It meets a growing demand,” Mikelson said. “We’re currently burying remains in traditional graves, and this will provide a new revenue stream for the cemetery.”

He also emphasized the long-term financial implications.

“It extends the time before we need to use the perpetual care fund, which will be very important as we move forward.”

The city spent $16,000 on an initial conceptual design in 2020, but a 2021 presentation failed to move forward.

“Staff presented conceptual designs… that did fail to move forward with the construction drawings,” Mikelson said.

After revisiting the idea in 2025, commissioners directed staff to refine the concept.

“We have developed a final master plan… including schematic design… and opinion of probable construction costs,” Mikelson said.

The updated proposal significantly reduces the project’s footprint and cost.

“The overall expansive footprint… is much, much smaller,” Mikelson said. “And the cost is lower, and it can be funded through the impact fee dollars.”

The proposed site avoids major disruptions to the cemetery landscape.

“No trees will be affected,” Mikelson said. “We do not have to straighten Nassau Street, so that lowers the cost as well.”

Designers emphasized aligning the columbarium with the cemetery’s historic layout.

“We believe that historic cemeteries… are really special to our communities,” said Marquis, CEO of Marquis Latimer Halback. “This is a place that… will serve those families for generations.”

The design includes a series of columbarium “gardens” connected by ADA-accessible pathways and limited landscaping to preserve the cemetery’s character.

A key issue for commissioners is whether to use granite alone or combine it with brick accents.

Consultants Jeremy Marquis and Nate Campbell with Parks Director Scott Mikelson

“We are exploring granite because it is the longest-lasting material,” said designer Nate Campbell.

Campbell said a five-foot height for the structures struck the right balance.

“We suggest that five feet is the most economical, but also just the most comfortable in terms of how you interact with the space,” he said.

Future maintenance of the complex remained a central concern for commissioners.

“That’s really what gets the city in trouble is maintenance,” said Commissioner Genece Minshew.

Designers indicated the upkeep would be relatively modest.

“We’re really talking about yearly maintenance for the overall structure,” Marquis said.

Commissioners who toured the site voiced strong support for the revised plan.

“It has really minimal impact on everything around it,” Minshew said. “It is a long piece of land with trees far enough away that it really is very well suited.”

“It’s a great site,” Commissioner Joyce Tuten said. “It’s kind of amazing how there’s that big run of lawn that there’s not a grave there right now.”

Tuten also favored keeping the structures lower in height.

“One of the things about that cemetery is it has such a long view shed. I think not cutting that off completely would be really nice,” she said.

The project is expected to generate significant revenue. Using an estimated $2,000 per niche, Phase 1 could produce about $800,000 in revenue and roughly $455,654 in net proceeds after costs.

A full build-out of approximately 1,200 niches could generate $2.4 million, with net revenue exceeding $1.5 million.

“In Northeast Florida, that’s about the average price… I am confident right now at a $2,000 price tag,” Mikelson said.

City staff are now seeking commission consensus on materials and approval to proceed with construction drawings — a necessary step before including the project in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

“If we can get that completed, we will be prepared to budget in fiscal year ’27 for the construction of the columbarium,” Mikelson said.