No Exceptions: Port Says Warehouse Tent Goes Back as previously Approved

Tent's location (red) must be moved to yellow markings

In a narrow 3-2 vote, the Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) last Wednesday has directed port operator Relay Terminals to move its massive fabric warehouse tent to the port's originally designated northeast corner — overruling the operator’s preferred plan to consolidate warehousing in another part of the terminal.

The vote ends a months-long debate over the best location for the large fabric structure, which serves as critical storage for goods coming through the Port of Fernandina. The decision reaffirms OHPA’s original approval of the northeast site, despite operational and logistical concerns raised by Relay Terminals.

OHPA did not authorize the current location of the 22,000 square foot warehouse tent. It was built a year ago without obtaining the required City of Fernandina Beach building permits and violates numerous building code regulations. In late May, port commissioners told Relay they had to move the structure to the approved location.

Relay added another wrinkle to the warehouse controversy presenting OHPA with a new option - a plan that would move both fabric warehouse tents to the northeast corner.

During the meeting, Relay pushed hard for that alternate layout — known as Option 2 — that would have placed the larger warehouse closer to the berths and clustered it with a smaller warehouse already in place.

Option 2 would place both fabric warehouses side-by-side

That plan, Relay argued, would streamline cargo movement, reduce visibility from residential areas, and clear the northeast section for long-term development of a new container line. However, it came with a steeper construction price tag and potential internal truck congestion.

In contrast, Option 1 — favored by OHPA and now adopted — uses the northeast corner, offering high elevation and previous board approval but drawing criticism for poor truck access, reduced cargo density, and proximity to flood-prone areas that could complicate truck staging.

Commissioners Miriam Hill, Scott Moore and Vice Chair Ray Nelson voted in favor of Option 1 - the original location for the misplaced tent approved by OHPA.

"Had the original operator done what they were supposed to do in the first place, we wouldn't be where we're at right now," Moore said. "It would be in the location we directed it (the tent) to be in right now."

Massive warehouse tent can be seen in the background

Despite those drawbacks, OHPA members supporting Option 1 emphasized the importance of adhering to previously agreed plans and the public transparency that came with them.

The decision requires Relay Terminals to begin relocating the warehouse to the northeast corner as specified, even as the operator warned it could impact terminal efficiency and future growth.