The Mayport Road Development sub-committee of the Mayport Waterfront Partnership was formed at the request of John Meserve, Chairman of the Mayport Waterfront Partnership, in October 2001 to specifically focus on improvements along the Mayport Road corridor leading to Mayport Village. The subcommittee, all volunteers with one city planner for staff support, took on as their first project the development of goals and objectives, to ensure a focused approach to the task and to insure buy-in from the parent organization.
The Goal of the Mayport Road Development sub-committee is "To work with government officials, business/property owners, residents and other interested parties to create a safe business environment that encourages quality development of the Mayport Road corridor".
In order to systematically approach each of the issues that would become part of the ultimate achievement of the goal, the sub-committee laid out a set of objectives, both for conduct of business within the committee and for the actual improvements along Mayport Road.
The Mayport Road Sub-committee agreed that they would conduct all business "in the sunshine", would keep accurate and auditable records, and would strive to always foster a friendly (non-adversarial) relationship with local authorities. While not an enforcement body, the sub-committee recognized the possibility that some problems might be resolved only by invoking code enforcement from legal entities, but desired that code enforcement be used only as a last ditch effort.
After being briefed on the proper steps by which to undertake a project such as was defined in the goal statement, the sub-committee laid out several logical and sequential steps to be used as guidelines. The first step was to determine a master plan for the Mayport Road Corridor. Following that, the sub-committee agreed to work with the cities of Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach to establish a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) or other similar economic development tool, which allows for zoning overlays, eminent domain and special funding. Concurrent with both of these steps, the sub-committee recognized the need to work with appropriate officials to secure funding for infrastructure improvements for Mayport Road.
The sub-committee also recognized that simply encouraging and organizing the individuals who live and work along Mayport Road could accomplish much. To that end, the sub-committee agreed to work with business/property owners to synchronize new business development, while continuously encouraging current business/property owners to visually enhance their property.
As for the Mayport Road itself, there were several areas of focus. First and foremost was the requirement to improve the safety, appearance and desirability of mayport Road properties. The sub-committee recognized the need to start small in order to get the merchants and property owners on board as team members. In order to accomplish that, the sub-committee desired to listen to what merchants and owners want to see happen, allow them to come up with ideas, and introduce them to existing studies and artists' renderings as to how Mayport Road might appear in the future. In terms of immediate actions, there was a desire to generate an ongoing sense of pride and accomplishment by suggesting that merchants and owners cut grass, edge, trim trees, move trash, paint, and in general, clean-up.
In the area of beautification, it was felt that several steps would be necessary. The initial step would be to develop plans and funding for landscaped center islands along Mayport Road itself. It would also be necessary to create a zoning overlay with realistic, yet appealing architectural standards. At the same time the sub-committee felt the necessity to press the cities of Jacksonville and Atlantic Beach to enforce sign ordinances, etc. In order to build consensus on beatification efforts among landowners/tenants, it was felt that the sub-committee should create a video or other graphical representation to illustrate and advertise beautification opportunities. The sub-committee was in unanimous consensus that the underlying goal in this particular piece of the overall plan was to dignify the entry road to our MAJOR Naval installation.
In the area of traffic calming and safety the specific objectives are clearer and more easily definable. They include the funding of center medians, reduction of the speed limit along Mayport Road, working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) towards a viable and flexible traffic light sequential signalization plan, creation of a plan for a bicycle path along Mayport Road (sidewalk style), and creation of defined pedestrian crosswalks, perhaps with texture or caution lighting. Less concrete, yet considered of equal importance are the desires to work with Navy Mayport towards design and funding of a traffic solution (flyover) for traffic from Wonderwood Road turning left into the Naval Station, and to conduct a coordinated media blitz (both civilian and Navy) towards reduction of speeding, particularly during peak hours, followed by consistent enforcement.
In the final area of economic development, it is recognized that there are defined mechanisms for achieving the goals and objectives of the sub-committee. It is also recognized that these mechanisms often take many years to be implemented, and while the sub-committee will work within the system to achieve success, the urgency of the task dictates accelerated action wherever achievable. The particular procedures spelled out to enhance economic development include the development of the entire Mayport Road area as a Community Redevelopment Area, which in turn is dependent upon completion of a "Finding of Facts and Necessities" study. Subsequent to these actions, a Development Master Plan must be produced, from which future funding requirements will be derived. The sub-committee recognized early on the need ensure full and complete awareness and concurrence of the Jacksonville Economic Development Council in order top achieve their support.
Committee Chairman and Waterfront Partnership Board Director, Homer Hull.