Waterfront Park Project Expands After Early Atlantic Seafood Lease Termination

The former Atlantic Seafood parcel will become part of the waterfront park.

Fernandina Beach’s long-planned Waterfront Park project will expand northward following the early termination of the Atlantic Seafood lease, opening new design opportunities and accelerating the construction timeline.

Deputy City Manager Jeremiah Glisson briefed the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) on Tuesday, providing updates that move the project closer to completion next February.

“This frees up an entire portion of the park we weren’t prepared to address,” Glisson told committee members. “The commission approved the early termination, and we’ve shifted funds to incorporate a design of that area.”

Originally launched in March 2023, the Waterfront Park was planned as a one-year project led by KBT Contracting, but materials supply delays — particularly for the pavilion structure and landscaping — slowed construction progress. Following recent coordination meetings, the city has now accelerated the schedule and expects to complete the park by February 2026.

The newly opened northern section, previously restricted by the Atlantic Seafood building lease (which was due to expire in 2028), will serve as a key pedestrian entrance from Centre Street and downtown, accommodating the heaviest visitor flow.

Glisson said the design will focus on low-level landscaping and hardscaping — features that are affordable, low-maintenance, and flexible enough to allow future flood protection wall and infrastructure work.

The now-vacant Atlantic Seafood building was deemed unsafe by city inspectors and will be demolished by the end of 2025.

About 40 square feet of the building extends beyond the mean high-water line, requiring a maintenance permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All permit materials have been submitted, and Glisson expects a 30-day review. “We’re hoping to have this thing demolished before the end of the year,” he said.

Once cleared, the site will be temporarily landscaped to blend with the rest of the park while city leaders consider long-term uses. Options include expanding the park or possibly enhancing the boat ramp area, Glisson confirmed.

Jeremiah Glisson

While the park construction advances, major seawall and flood-resiliency projects are still several years away. Glisson estimated three to five years for completion, depending on funding and progress on the adjacent Brett’s Waterway Café property, where seawall replacement is expected to begin in May or June 2026.

In the meantime, the city plans to construct an earthen berm system along Front Street to connect to the Ryan Berm and Cook's property, improving flood protection without requiring new permits.

The park’s new climbing structures are under review for the children’s play area. The equipment will be funded by a T-Mobile “Hometown Grant,” awarded earlier this year.

Final designs are pending, but Glisson said comparisons are being made to play structures at waterfront parks in St. Simons, St. Mary's, and Jacksonville’s former Landing site.

With furnishings and landscaping now in procurement, residents should begin seeing visible transformation of the site over the next few months. “From December through February, you’ll see a lot come together,” Glisson said.

As the park nears completion, city staff will present concept plans for the redesigned northern section to PRAC and the City Commission for feedback.

“Once the Atlantic Seafood building comes down, we’ll finally have one continuous public waterfront,” Glisson said.