Resolution No. 12-02 v RESOLUTION NO. 12 -02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA SUPPORTING
CONTINUATION OF THE ST. JOHNS RIVER FERRY SERVICE
WHEREAS, the St. Johns River Ferry service connects historic State Road AlA 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 St. Johns River Ferry service is an extension of A l A Highway (.9 miles over water) requiring
capital improvements as the rest of State Road A1A; and
WHEREAS, the Cities of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach support Federal, State, local and private funding to
keep the St. Johns River Ferry running and State Road AlA intact; and
WHEREAS, the City of Jacksonville has 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 service is used throughout the year by the Navy and Coast Guard at
Mayport when they have ships in repair or dry dock at BAE Systems to avoid a 26 -mile alternate route to travel between
the two sides of the St. Johns River; and
WHEREAS, the continued operation of the St. Johns River Ferry service 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 service is a valuable and integral element in our parks systems and
remains an important tourist attraction for approximately one million visitors that annually visit the beaches communities,
and the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach supports
continuation of the St. Johns River Ferry service.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission, this 13" day of January 2012.
/4 i
MIKE BORNO
Mayor
Approv; . as to form and correctness:
AO:
• L • il fp. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City , orney
ATTES :
DONNA BARTLE, CMC
City Clerk