On February 12, 2014 Fernandina Beach City Hall was the venue for a two-hour joint special meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) and the Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board (CRAAB). Agenda topics included the FBCC’s expectations for the CRA, potential CRA expansion up to the 2% limit imposed by the City Charter, the role of the CRAAB and the value of a CRA Developer Advocate, and considering the outcome of the joint CRAAB/Waterfronts Advisory Group (WAG) meeting held on January 23, 2014 with respect to proceeding with an Amelia River waterfront park.
CRAAB member Lou Goldman asked commissioners, “What are you all looking for us to do?” Commissioner Pat Gass, the FBCC liaison to the CRAAB, replied, “We are looking to you to put the pieces in order. When the money starts to flow into the CRA fund, we must have projects that we are able to run with.” Mayor Ed Boner added that he wanted to see a waterfront park, recommendations to stimulate growth in the CRA and better ways to encourage development.