Fernandina's Biggest Project Ever: Inside the $12.5 Million Marina Transformation
- Mike Lednovich
- Jul 8
- 6 min read
By Mike Lednovich/Editor
FERNANDINA BEACH — The cost of transforming the city's aging waterfront marina has grown to an estimated $12.53 million, making it the largest capital construction project in Fernandina Beach history and far more ambitious than the original plan to simply demolish Brett's Waterway Cafe.
City commissioners received their first comprehensive look Tuesday at the project's scope, construction bids, financing plan and timeline during a workshop that outlined a complete redevelopment of the marina, including a new resiliency bulkhead, demolition of Brett's, expanded dredging, a new public pier, upgraded fueling system and redesigned waterfront access.
If approved by the City Commission on July 21, construction would begin in mid-August, Brett's would be demolished before the end of this year and the project would be completed by Dec. 3, 2027.
Deputy City Manager Glenn Akramoff said what began as a relatively simple demolition project evolved into a complete marina reconstruction after engineers determined the city would otherwise be forced to return later to replace other aging infrastructure.
"Originally it was just the Brett's demo... because the wall behind it was deteriorating," Akramoff said. "As we started to look at the project and look at all the things that it impacted, we realized that in order to keep the marina going, we really couldn't leave everything up there."
He said residents consistently urged the city not to repeat the cycle of deferred maintenance.
"One of the things that we heard from the community... is, 'Do not leave something there that we're going to have to come back and fix later.' Everything out there is aged, 40-plus years," he said.
As a result, the city expanded the project to include rebuilding the marina's central infrastructure, installing a new resiliency wall, replacing critical utility systems and improving water circulation beneath the marina.
Overall it's a $12.5 million project.
Commissioners were briefed on the low bid construction costs.
The apparent low bid and associated project costs total $12,532,900.83, including:
Marina redevelopment base bid: $9,658,413.94
West pier extension: $352,832.99
Over-water fuel system: $480,420.90
Construction administration: $304,400
Construction observation: $150,600
Construction inspection: $238,560
Project contingency: $1,347,673
City staff intentionally omitted two optional boardwalk extensions from the recommended package to reduce costs, noting they could be added later without significantly increasing future construction expenses.
Akramoff said the contingency reflects the uncertainty of excavating around decades-old waterfront infrastructure.
"We are going to find things that we don't necessarily know about," he said. "Even though we told them (contractors) to plan, there are going to be some change orders."
The city is applying a 15 percent contingency to the high-risk seawall excavation and 10 percent to the remainder of the project because of unknown conditions beneath Brett's supporting structure and along the waterfront.
The redesigned marina extends well beyond replacing Brett's Waterway Cafe.
Akramoff said the project goals include:
Constructing a new resiliency bulkhead wall.
Building a new central public pier and marina walkway.
Expanding public access to the waterfront.
Improving marina operations.
Installing an upgraded fuel distribution system.
Removing more than 60 aging pilings.
Improving river flow beneath the marina.
Reducing future dredging needs.
Creating additional dockage that will generate new marina revenue.
Opening the Centre Street view corridor to the river.
Passero Associates CEO Andrew Holesko said redesigning the marina will substantially reduce obstructions in the water.
"We're down over 60 pilings," Holesko said. "All of the new pilings that are going in are cylinder-built. They're not square. The flow is absolutely going to improve."
He said the combination of fewer pilings and round support columns should significantly improve tidal circulation and reduce sediment buildup beneath the marina.
One of the largest changes involves dredging nearly three times the area originally planned.
The city intends to dredge beneath the former Brett's restaurant and into sections of the marina that have not been cleaned in decades.
"A while would be defined as decades, 50 years," Holesko said.
He said crews expect to encounter concrete debris from structures that predated Brett's.
"When the city demolished the teepee and built Brett's, it didn't take out the concrete structure... that's actually what's been falling into the river for decades."
Contractors have already been warned to expect buried concrete, pipes and other debris rather than seeking additional compensation later.
The expanded dredging area also reaches closer to the bulkhead than previous maintenance dredging operations.
"This is the time, of course," Holesko said. "Let's do it while we have the opportunity."
Akramoff added that removing those obstructions should permanently improve water movement. "The flow beneath it is going to be better than it's certainly been in 50 years," he said.
Following construction, the city plans a flow study to determine how much future maintenance dredging can be reduced.
The project includes a fuel system upgrade.
Rather than simply replacing existing fuel lines, the city plans to install an entirely new over-water fueling system beneath the new pier.
Akramoff called the upgrade essential.
"The overwater (system) is imperative because we don't want to try to retrofit anything under a new pier two, three years down the road."
The redesigned piping eliminates numerous 90-degree turns, allowing fuel to flow more efficiently while reducing future maintenance. The on-land fuel tank replacement, estimated at more than $1 million, is not included in the current construction package.
City officials said contractor response to submit construction bids exceeded expectations.
More than 50 contractors and subcontractors attended the mandatory pre-bid walkthrough, ultimately producing four bids.
"I've never been here where the commission chamber is full," Holesko said. "The three bottom bids are pretty darn close."
Akramoff said staff is still completing mathematical verification and compliance reviews before making a formal recommendation to the city commission on July 21.
"Our low bid is solid, and we feel comfortable with that," he said.
Akramoff outlined how the city plans to pay for the marina overhaul.
The project will be financed through multiple sources, including:
Up to $4 million in state resiliency grant funding for the seawall.
A 50-percent matching Florida Inland Navigation District grant for dredging.
A previously approved $7 million line of credit.
Community Redevelopment Agency funds to service debt payments.
Approximately $1.5 million in paid parking revenue.
Marina operating funds used to match grant requirements.
Akramoff said grant reimbursement schedules have been structured to improve the city's cash flow throughout construction.
During construction, the city said the marina will remain open
Although Brett's will disappear by year's end, marina operations are expected to continue throughout construction. Marina staff will relocate into temporary office space while commercial tenants, including Amelia River Cruises, will be moved to temporary kiosks.
"The marina needs to keep operating at all times," Akramoff said.
He said the only anticipated significant interruption could occur during the final fuel-system connection.
"Other than that, we're not anticipating anything over 10, 12 hours of delays," he said.
A detailed operational plan for tenants, vendors and customers will accompany the July 21 construction contract recommendation.
Akramoff said managing a project of unprecedented size would present challenges to city staff.
Because change orders are almost inevitable on a waterfront reconstruction, Akramoff recommended commissioners authorize the city manager to approve change orders up to the approved contingency amount rather than requiring special commission meetings.
"Every time we delay it's cost," he said.
The construction contract also includes a value-engineering provision allowing contractors to propose design modifications that reduce costs. If accepted, the contractor receives 25 percent of the savings while the city retains 75 percent.
Commissioner Genece Minshew supported both recommendations and praised the presentation.
"I appreciate the level of detail y'all have provided," she said.
However, she questioned whether two senior staff members could realistically oversee a project of this magnitude while managing numerous other city capital projects.
"Project management is a critical component of any project this size," Minshew said. "I'm very concerned about that."
Akramoff acknowledged the challenge.
"We have to sleep," he joked, adding that other city projects may need to be slowed while the marina redevelopment remains the city's highest priority.
Officials acknowledged the appearance of the marina will change dramatically after five decades.
"It will be a stark contrast of what's been there the last 50 years," Akramoff said. "There'll be some positives about that and some negatives."
But he said the investment will provide a modern waterfront designed to serve Fernandina Beach for decades.
"This will be, in the end, an incredible asset for this community as we move forward."
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