THE VILLAGER
THE MAYPORT WATERFRONT PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER
Honoring Sam Floyd, MWP’s Longtime Chairman
1946-2024
Mayport Village and the Partnership lost our dear friend Sam Floyd in May of this year. Prior to retiring in 2023 from his position as the Chair of the Mayport Waterfront Partnership, Sam served the interests of Mayport Village for decades without wavering.
His roots in Mayport Village were deep- at least 13 generations worth, his storytelling was legendary, and his knowledge and expertise in commercial fishing were invaluable! But more than this, Sam Floyd was distinguished by his integrity, his dedication to do right by others, and his humble solidarity with his fellow man. We were honored by such a long and hearty affiliation with this noteworthy son of Mayport!
At its core, the Partnership is simply people, individual men and women serving as directors over the past 25 years. Each of these are valued, but few have been as well positioned and well-suited to this task as Sam was. A scholarship, funded by a $20K donation by Ian Tietjan, in his honor will be administered by the MWP to equip young men and women making a career in the commercial fishing industry.
Mayport Waterfront Partnership was awarded AARP’s Quick Action Community Challenge Grant in May. This grant pays for three walk audits, which have a team go through Mayport Village on foot to assess pedestrian safety needs and determine needed improvements. These recommendations will be forwarded to the City’s Public Works department.
The first walk audit was completed on September 25th. The second and third audits will take place in October 8 (7 a.m. -9 a.m.) & November 9 (10 a.m.- 12 p.m.). If you want to volunteer meet at Safe Harbor parking lot 20 minutes before the walk.
Each volunteer receives a $25 gift card as a thank you gift at each walk.
RECENT NEWS
It’s been a busy year...
D O C K D E S I G N U P D A T E
MAYPORT DOCKS CONCEPT SKETCH, OPTION 3, 2024
CITY GIVES 2ND GRANT TO MWP
After gathering public input, Jacksonville’s Public Works department and Taylor Engineering’s team presented a final design for MWP’s feedback at the September meeting The current dock design provides separate docks for commercial and recreational uses Director Nancy Jones suggested the docks be moved 50-70’ southward toward Safe Harbor, to eliminate a 100' gap that would pose a hazard if accessed to reach the shoreside of the dock The proposed shift would position the recreational docks directly south of the property at 4610 Ocean Street, currently leased by JU/Ocearch. The Haskell Company, representing MWP, submitted a dozen follow-up suggestions and requests for clarification regarding the design.
The City of Jacksonville awarded a second special purpose grant of $144,100 to MWP, which was sponsored by City Council President Ron Salem from his unused discretionary funds. This was approved unanimously by the Jacksonville City Council. The funds will be used for continued grant writing, marketing, and the incidental operating expenses of the Partnership. $44K of the grant is earmarked for landscaping and improvements of the city-owned waterfront parcels and new signage at both entrances to the Village.
V O L U N T E E R P O W E R
Darryl & Dara Hailes, residents of Mayport Village, put action into their ideals for their community. For much of this year Dara filled the secretary vacancy on the board of directors and launched the Ocean St./A1A Adopt-A-Highway project for MWP. Volunteers are welcome to join in on the last Saturday of each month at 9 a.m.
N I G H T O F G I V I N G 2 0 2 4
Jacksonville’s philanthropic and civic leaders came together on May 22nd to celebrate the future of Mayport Village as guests at MWP’s first gala event. More than 80 guests enjoyed the easy-going ambiance of a spring evening on the upper porch of Mayport’s community center, serenaded by Beaches favorite Mike Shackleford. Celebrating Mayport Waterfront Partnership’s quarter century of advocacy, guests at this ‘cocktail party for the future’ help shape the next 25 years through dedicated giving. Funds raised are directed to ongoing grant initiatives and their implementation.
The opportunity to contribute in honor of this 25th anniversary continues in MWP’s Changemaker Challenge, which seeks 25 who will donate $2,500. Big thanks to Performance Capital Partners, LLC, the first to accept this challenge! Are you our next Changemaker? www.mayportwaterfrontpartnership.com/donate/
Mayport Waterfront Partnership reserves a few seats on its Board of Directors for organizations whose missions complement our own. Here are some highlights of their victories:
Since 2013 the Friends of the St Johns River Ferry Association has played a vital role in our community and now there is one more reason to celebrate: Mayport is getting a second Ferry!
Congratulations to JTA on securing a $15 6 million dollar federal grant for a new hybrid diesel-electric ferry. While it will take time to build, once it is in service the additional ferry will eliminate future closures for maintenance or mechanical problems
Friends of the St Johns River Ferry thank A1AOcean Islands Trail, Heckscher Drive Community Club, North Jacksonville Civic Association, Mayport Waterfront Partnership and the many citizens who have supported this effort for many years.
