Ferry Fest Coming to Mayport Village

[Metro Jacksonville]

Ferry Fest Coming to Mayport Village



Business, civic and community leaders spearheading efforts to keep the historic St. Johns River Ferry in operation are inviting ferry fans far and wide to Ferry Fest?Saturday, August 25, from 1-9 p.m. at Mayport Village.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-aug-ferry-fest-coming-to-mayport-village

[Noone]

Love the poster. Great marketing. Keep going Mike.

[Dapperdan]

Here's an idea, move forward with the cruise termianl and use the money generated with that to keep the Ferry running.

[thelakelander]

To be honest, I always thought having a cruise ship terminal out there would be in the best interest of saving the ferry and what remains of Mayport in general.  However, hasn't that ship already sailed?

[mbwright]

If having a cruise ship there, for short periods of time between trips, and people going there would ruin "Historic Mayport", wouldn't abandonment of the ferry and the town do the same thing?

[thelakelander]

Yes, but that argument won't land or generate the money needed to sustain the ferry's long term operations.  Ultimately, you need an economic catalyst/destination on that waterfront that pulls more people into the area, putting more tires on the ferry and money into Mayport's remaining businesses.  At the time, a cruise terminal could have been the gift horse that could have delivered that. 

[Dapperdan]

I am not sure if the plan is dead, but I know the port authority still owns the land needed for it. A modern cruise terminal that can handle bigger ships and more of them would be greatly beneficial to the area. I have been on two cruises out of Jacksonville, and all the out of towners ( which is most of the guests) arrive a day or so early and all of them are not impressed with where our current crusie terminal is. It is not near anything they can do. The zoo is about it. Mayport would be able to have restaurants, nightlife, etc, very near to the port. Plus shore excursions could possoibly be booked for river trips, beaches, etc.

[Dapperdan]

If having a cruise ship there, for short periods of time between trips, and people going there would ruin "Historic Mayport", wouldn't abandonment of the ferry and the town do the same thing?

If they keep the one ship model they have now, then the ship would be in Mayport maybe 2 days out of the week. What you would have is a influc of people from as far away as Canada. If a small  boutique hotel was opened near the terminal, you would have even more benefit as people may arrive one day early or stay an extra day after they get back.

[Tacachale]

The Mayport cruise terminal idea has lost a ton of steam, but it's not totally a dead dog yet. Jaxport still has the property, though of course the idea has never been very popular among Mayport Village residents. Whatever you think about it, it would have brought a lot of people through Mayport.

[fieldafm]

I am not sure if the plan is dead, but I know the port authority still owns the land needed for it.

4 of the 13 parcels originally included in the ferry transfer to JaxPort are being returned to the City.  All non-waterfront parcels should be back in the City's hands soon(believe General Counsel is drafting the documents now).  I believe the intent is for the port to lease the waterfont parcel that the Ferry operates from now back to the City for $1 a year and keep the rest of the waterfront parcels. 

[fieldafm]

That being said.. who's down for some fun, food and sun in support of the Ferry?

I'm down.

[Tacachale]

We'll be there.

[fsujax]

looks like a great event.

[Jack]

I'm in, but how are traffic and parking going to work? This could be a disaster.

[Charles Hunter]

According to one of the posters, they will be running shuttles from the JTA (?) lot at Wonderwood and Mayport Road, near the main gate of the NS.