Fernandina's biggest project ever: Inside the $12.5 million marina transformation

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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 

"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 redesigned marina extends well beyond replacing Brett's Waterway Cafe.

• 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.

He said the combination of fewer pilings and round support columns should significantly improve tidal circulation and reduce sediment buildup beneath the marina.

"A while would be defined as decades, 50 years," Holesko said.

"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."

The expanded dredging area also reaches closer to the bulkhead than previous maintenance dredging operations.

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.

The project includes a fuel system upgrade.

Akramoff called the upgrade essential.

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.

More than 50 contractors and subcontractors attended the mandatory pre-bid walkthrough, ultimately producing four bids.

Akramoff said staff is still completing mathematical verification and compliance reviews before making a formal recommendation to the city commission on July 21.

Akramoff outlined how the city plans to pay for the marina overhaul.

• 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.

He said the only anticipated significant interruption could occur during the final fuel-system connection.

A detailed operational plan for tenants, vendors and customers will accompany the July 21 construction contract recommendation.

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.

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.

"I appreciate the level of detail y'all have provided," she said.

"Project management is a critical component of any project this size," Minshew said. "I'm very concerned about that."

"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.

"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."

"This will be, in the end, an incredible asset for this community as we move forward."