JaxPort discussed asking city for $93 million to $167 million to deepen port

[thelakelander]

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-04-08/jaxport-discussed-asking-city-93-million-167-million-deepen-port

[Cheshire Cat]

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2017-04-08/jaxport-discussed-asking-city-93-million-167-million-deepen-port

Did you see that the Riverkeeper is filing a suit to prevent the drilling.  This is going to be interesting.

[thelakelander]

Yes. COJ also doesn't have that type of cash laying around so funds would have to come at the expense of other services.  This will be interesting.

[Cheshire Cat]

Yes. COJ also doesn't have that type of cash laying around so funds would have to come at the expense of other services.  This will be interesting.

Indeed. 

[remc86007]

Isn't this the type of project the city would pay for with bonds?

[vicupstate]

I guess this issue is coming to a head. I have a hard time seeing where they get this sort of money unless the Sales Tax is raised.

[Captain Zissou]

When the city gives financial packages to private companies they usually give less than $10,000 per head and average salary is usually $50k+.  The port better show how this will create almost 19,0000 long term high paying jobs, or this is a waste of money.

The numbers the port released a few years ago saying like 40,000 direct and indirect jobs was a crock.   

[Tacachale]

It's good to get some firm(er) numbers on local contribution. It should go a long way to establishing what the real local impact is going to be.

If the final costs are really closer to the lower end, it seems like a no-brainer. The economic impact to the region should greatly exceed that in a few years. That may still be the case on the higher end as well, but as the cost increases the question we need to ask ourselves is whether this is the most impactful use of that high amount of money.

[vicupstate]

Exactly how does this make money for the city, beyond what is already occurring? Dock workers alone? If more containers come in, that just go on an 18 wheeler or on a train out of town, What benefit does that provide? The trucker buys gas and nabs on his way out, I get. But what else?

[Tacachale]

^Are you really asking who would benefit from increased business at one of the city's largest economic drivers?

[jaxjaguar]

 If we do this deepening would it allow larger cruise ships to dock in Mayport?

[thelakelander]

You don't have to deepen the river for larger cruise ships. Nevertheless, Mayport doesn't want a cruise terminal.

[Jim]

If we do this deepening would it allow larger cruise ships to dock in Mayport?

The Dames Point bridge is the current limiting factor in berthing larger cruise ships.  Some cruise ships have less than 6 feet of clearance at low tide.

[remc86007]

Mayport doesn't want a cruise terminal.

Why?

[Jim]

Mayport doesn't want a cruise terminal.

Why?

They like their small, sleepy fishing village mentality.  Massive ships, loud tourists and all the accommodations just doesn't fit their narrative. 

Lack of space doesn't help either.