Item 6B v~.
AGENDA ITEM # 6B
NOVEMBER 13, 2006
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RESOLUTION NO: 06-15
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA SUPPORTING
CONTINUATION OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER FERRY
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry connects historic State Road AIA between the Mayport
Village on the south bank and the Fort George area on the north bank of the St. Johns River and closing the
~" ferry would result in this important State highway becoming a dead end, and
WHEREAS, the City of Jacksonville has recently invested approximately seven million dollars on
infrastructure improvements in Mayport Village to encourage redevelopment which will increase the ad
valorem taxes to the city and the value of those improvements will be greatly diminished if ferry service is
discontinued, and
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry is used throughout the year by the Navy and Coast Guard at
Mayport when they have ships in repair or dry dock at Atlantic Marine to avoid a 26 mile alternate route to
,~ travel between the two sides of the river, and
WHEREAS, the continued operation of the St. Johns River ferry saves time and energy by reducing
by approximately two thirds the fuel that the passenger vehicles would use if they had to drive the half hour,
~'" 26 mile alternate route, improves traffic safety by reducing travel and saves the cost of road and bridge
maintenance on the alternate routes, and
~"" WHEREAS, the St. Johns River ferry is an important tourist attraction for approximately one million
visitors that annually visit the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, which also adds to the local
economy, and
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River ferry will become an increasingly important transportation option as
the population continues to grow on both sides of the river and Naval Station Mayport continues to grow,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Commission of the City of Atlantic
Beach supports continuation of the St. Johns River ferry.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by City Commission on this day of 2006.
Approved as to form and correctness:
ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
DONNA BUSSEY
City Clerk
DONALD M. WOLFSON
Mayor