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Currently, cruise ships sailing from Jacksonville operate from a temporary cruise terminal provided by the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). To get to this terminal, all ships must sail beneath electric power lines and the Dames Point Bridge, both which cross the St. Johns River. Many cruise ships today are too tall to do so. Additionally, the cruise industry is building increasingly taller ships and phasing out its smaller vessels which can fit comfortably underneath the bridge and power lines. To accommodate cruise ships in the long-term, JAXPORT is in the process of reviewing options for a permanent cruise terminal free of height restrictions. You'll find answers to most of your questions about this process below. However, if you have a question not listed here, please contact JAXPORT Director of Communications and Public Relations Nancy Rubin at (904) 357-3012 or nancy.rubin@jaxport.com.
The existing JAXPORT Cruise Terminal
Why not use JAXPORT's current cruise facility at Dames Point as a permanent terminal?
What will happen to the current temporary cruise terminal once a new terminal is built?
A new cruise terminal
Where will JAXPORT build a permanent cruise terminal?
What is the timeline for construction of a cruise terminal?
What will happen if Jacksonville does not provide a permanent terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge?
How likely is it that Jacksonville will be able to attract the industry's newer and larger ships?
Building a new cruise terminal at Mayport
Will JAXPORT build a cruise terminal at Mayport?
Why consider Mayport?
How does today's concept differ from a cruise terminal plan proposed for Mayport several years ago?
What does the latest concept look like?
How might a terminal in Mayport affect local traffic?
How would this concept fit in with the special character of Mayport?
How would heightened security around a terminal affect Mayport?
Would this idea limit public access to the waterfront?
How would a cruise terminal impact the Marine Science Education Center?
Environmental issues
What about environmental concerns? What about the sewage from the ships?
How will cruise ships affect river traffic?
For more information
What will JAXPORT do next?
Why not use JAXPORT's current cruise facility at Dames Point as a permanent terminal?
To get to the existing JAXPORT Cruise Terminal on Dames Point, all ships must sail beneath the JEA power lines (which cross Blount Island) and the Dames Point Bridge. The clearance beneath the bridge and power lines is 175 feet. Many cruise ships today cannot get to the terminal because they exceed this height. Additionally, the cruise industry trend is to build increasingly taller ships, many exceeding 190 feet in height. These newer vessels include much sought-after amenities such as balcony rooms and extensive recreational and entertainment facilities. To accommodate these newer vessels, they must call at a terminal without height restrictions.
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What will happen to the current temporary cruise terminal once a new terminal is built?
The temporary cruise terminal will be converted into a cargo-handling facility, a strategy planned when the temporary facility was designed in 2003. JAXPORT built the temporary facility as a short-term measure to quickly accommodate Celebrity Cruises' decision in March 2003 to homeport a vessel in Jacksonville as a test beginning in October 2003. JAXPORT did not have enough time to purchase property and construct a permanent terminal in time for Celebrity's first sailing, and did not find it prudent to make a large financial investment in a permanent terminal for this test. Instead, the Port Authority built the temporary terminal on property it already owned at an existing cargo berth west of the bridge. While the facility has been effective for the short-term, it was designed as a temporary fix until a site for a permanent terminal location could be identified.
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Where will JAXPORT build a permanent cruise terminal?
Engineering firm Han-Padron Associates studied in fall 2004 the entire length of the St. Johns River from Mayport to the JEA power lines looking for a location for a permanent cruise terminal. This review revealed potential locations for a permanent cruise terminal. JAXPORT is currently reviewing all options.
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What is the timeline for construction of a cruise terminal?
Currently, JAXPORT is reviewing the results of the recent studies of potential cruise terminal sites and economic impacts of the cruise industry in Jacksonville. No timetable for a decision has been set.
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What will happen if Jacksonville does not provide a permanent terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge?
Eventually, many of the ships which can fit beneath the bridge will be phased out of service, leaving Jacksonville competing with many other ports for these older and smaller vessels. If some of these few ships do not come to Jacksonville, the city could lose the cruise business completely.
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How likely is it that Jacksonville will be able to attract the industry's newer and larger ships?
JAXPORT is optimistic that the cruise lines eventually will bring their newer ships here if a facility capable of handling them is provided. The major cruise lines have encouraged Jacksonville to build a terminal without height restrictions. If Jacksonville does not build a terminal east of the Dames Point Bridge, the newer ships cannot come.
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Will JAXPORT build a cruise terminal at Mayport?
JAXPORT is currently studying the possibility of locating a cruise terminal at Mayport. There has been no commitment on our part to actually build a cruise terminal, as we have not yet compiled all the information we need to make a decision on whether or not to proceed with a project. Mayport is just one potential cruise terminal location JAXPORT is investigating at this time.
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Why consider Mayport?
Recently, private property owners in Mayport approached JAXPORT, indicating their willingness to sell those parcels. Soon after these property owners made contact with us, JAXPORT acquired riverfront property adjacent to the St. Johns River Ferry operations. At that point, a determination was made to begin studying the feasibility of locating a terminal at Mayport.
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How does today's concept differ from a cruise terminal plan proposed for Mayport several years ago?
While the present concept is in its infancy and continues to be closely studied, the initial idea is much different than previous plans made public. The concept being looked at now would have a relatively small footprint, consisting of a terminal area, single ship's berth and parking garages. The vision of JAXPORT planners today is for cruise operations to occupy approximately 8 acres, or just 10 percent of the Village's total 80 acres.
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What does the latest concept look like?
The initial cruise concept features a single berth, a terminal building and parking garage. If a Mayport Cruise Terminal is determined to be a viable option, the architecture of any JAXPORT structures will reflect the flavor and history of the area.
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How might a terminal in Mayport affect local traffic?
Generally, cruise passengers get off the ship mid-morning and get on between lunchtime and early afternoon. This means they would be driving opposite the normal traffic flow of the area and would not add to rush hour congestion. In addition, cruise passengers heading to or from a potential Mayport terminal would be urged to use both the Wonderwood Expressway and Heckscher Drive, meaning the St. Johns River Ferry would also play an important role in the movement of passengers. Clearly, this possible increase in ridership would greatly improve the ferry's financial health. JAXPORT will certainly study road usage and needs in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and make plans accordingly.
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How would this concept fit in with the special character of Mayport?
If JAXPORT moves forward with plans for a cruise terminal at Mayport, the history and flavor of the area will play a major role not only in the architecture chosen, but in the preservation of a working waterfront. JAXPORT understands the importance of the fishing industry and the crucial need to maintain options for the shrimpers and others who depend on the river for their livelihoods. It appears there are many ways the economic benefits of a cruise terminal can work hand-in-hand with the local way of life, providing opportunity while continuing to value the qualities that make Mayport unique.
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How would heightened security around a terminal affect Mayport?
Certainly, a JAXPORT Cruise Terminal at Mayport would require 24-hour security which would be heightened while a ship is in port. However, local residents would not be required to pass through any security checkpoints during the regular course of their day.
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Would this idea limit public access to the waterfront?
Besides the area occupied by the terminal and ship's berth, there is no intention to restrict public access to the waterfront, unless security issues must be addressed while a ship is actually docked at the terminal. There is a possibility that adjacent development attracted by a potential terminal would actually increase public access to the river by offering public docks or boardwalks.
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How would a cruise terminal impact the Marine Science Education Center?
JAXPORT has no plans to use lands occupied by the Center or interfere with its operation in any way.
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What about environmental concerns? What about the sewage from the ships?
Investigating all environmental questions will be a crucial part of our initial study. In addition to researching the impact of a terminal operation, it is also important for JAXPORT to know if any clean-up of the properties involved would be required. There will be no discharge of sewage or other waste into Florida waters following a long-standing agreement between the state and the cruise industry. Above all, JAXPORT will continue working to protect the valuable natural resource that is the St. Johns River, which allows us to fulfill our mission to bring economic benefit to the region through seaport commerce.
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How will cruise ships affect river traffic?
Cruise terminal operations should not affect normal river traffic. The U.S. Coast Guard provides escort for all cruise vessels. Each cruise ship will need some time to turn as it arrives at the berth. This usually occurs in the early morning hours and normally takes no more than 10 minutes.
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What will JAXPORT do next?
JAXPORT staff will continue to research these important questions and come up with a recommendation on the feasibility of a Mayport Cruise Terminal option. Other issues on the table right now include the ability to acquire the necessary properties and the ability to obtain a concrete cruise industry commitment to Jacksonville as a home port. Ultimately, JAXPORT's Board of Directors will make the decision on how our organization will proceed.
As you can see, there are many subjects to consider when choosing a new location for JAXPORT's Cruise Terminal. The infancy of the Mayport idea and the abundance of information still to be gathered make this simply a concept worth looking at. We pledge to keep you informed and will look for ways to allow you to express concerns and desires. It is important to us that you realize JAXPORT is investigating whether a cruise option is right for Mayport, not if we can change Mayport to accommodate a cruise terminal. We appreciate your patience and invite you to contact JAXPORT's Director of Communications Nancy Rubin at (904) 357-3012 or nancy.rubin@jaxport.com if you need further assistance. We will also continue to post updates on this area of our website.
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