Jacksonville Waterways Commission Meeting - 2026-10-22

The Jacksonville Waterways Commission met on 2026-10-22 at 11:02 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Chair Rahman K. Johnson presided. The meeting included a presentation from the Jax Riverfront Alliance, subcommittee reports on FIND grant projects, the Fort George River Sandbar Task Force, and the George Crady Bridge, as well as a water quality and manatee status update from Jacksonville University. The commission approved a set of four FIND grant project proposals and took note of future business items to be addressed in November.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the September 17, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Nooney, a Jacksonville resident, expressed full support for the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) and the subcommittee's recommendations. He also highlighted that public access to waterways in Duval County is "the worst ever" and urged the commission to address this issue.

Discussion Items

• Jax Riverfront Alliance Presentation: Linzee Ott, Interim Director, presented the organization's mission to activate, enhance, and create partnerships for a world-class destination riverfront. The phased approach includes focusing on programming at Riverfront Plaza and Music Garden in Phase 1, then expanding to operations and maintenance, and eventually caring for a larger system of connected parks. In response to commissioner questions, Ott noted that parking access is being coordinated with the Downtown Investment Authority and that the organization is beginning private fundraising after receiving initial city funding.
• FIND Subcommittee Report: Brian Burkett of the Parks Department presented four grant applications for 2027:
  1. Sisters Creek Transient Facilities – $2 million ask (total $4.4 million) for 500 feet of transient docks.
  2. Wayne B. Stevens Boat Ramp Improvements – conversion to a kayak launch and fishing pier (design phase previously funded).
  3. St. Johns Marina Boat Ramp Replacement – replacement and lengthening of the only downtown boat ramp, to be completed during a two-year construction closure ($1.3 million).
  4. Stinson Park Bulkhead Replacement – 325 feet of deteriorated wooden bulkhead to be replaced with vinyl ($275,000). The subcommittee supported all four projects, and the commission voted to move them forward.
• Fort George River Sandbar Vessel Speed Regulation Task Force: Commissioner Matt Jones reported that the task force requested an extension to December 1, 2026, to ensure a thorough report focused on public safety. The extension was approved.
• George Crady Bridge Update: Vice Chair Gay and others discussed the challenge of the bridge being state-owned, which limits city grant eligibility. Brian Burkett identified a Cooperative Assistance Program (CAP) through FIND that could fund a study and design, with a potential cap of $3-4 million per year, but the state must apply. Representative Dean Black and Senator Davis are working with the Duval delegation to advance the issue.
• Artificial Reef Subcommittee: The formal update is scheduled for the November 19, 2026 meeting. Commissioner Hardesty announced via Jim Suber that a cargo ship from South Florida will be sunk as an artificial reef in one of the city's permit locations in mid-November.
• St. Johns River Status Report: Dr. Gerard Pinto reported that recent heavy rains have lowered salinities and temperatures. Salinities at Mayport were 22–29 ppt (normally 35 ppt) and at Buckman 3–10 ppt (normally <1 ppt). Algae blooms (blue-green algae) are present in the southern river but no toxins have been detected as of October 12. Manatee deaths are unchanged, with very few manatees spotted. Commissioner Thomas inquired about a manatee death in Little Pottsburg Creek and potential links to nearby construction; Dr. Pinto noted the difficulty of determining causation without a necropsy.

Key Outcomes

• The commission voted unanimously to approve the four FIND grant projects (Sisters Creek, Wayne B. Stevens, St. Johns Marina, Stinson Park) to proceed with city council authorization for grant applications.
• The Fort George Sandbar Task Force report deadline was extended to December 1, 2026.
• Future business items (land use ordinances and rezoning) were clarified as either deferred to November or outside the commission's authority and will be discharged.
• Meeting adjourned at 11:51 AM.