JaxPort widens cruise terminal site search to both west and east of Dames Point

[tufsu1]

Given the size of our current cruise terminal, it gives the impression that Mayport simply isn't big enough to handle a permanent cruise terminal....especially the larger ships.  Except maybe between the ferry and Mayport NS.

The Mayport site is plenty large enough....it just requires structured parking instead of a surface lot

[CS Foltz]

Structured parking  huh? Gee I wonder where that money is going to come from..........Carnivel Cruise Lines? I don't know about yall, but I get kind of tired of paying for all of these fine idea's someone else comes up with not to mention, has anyone seen anything about how this Terminal is going to be paid for? I mean, last time I checked.........$58 Million Dollars in the hole and counting! His Honor is going to be handing out pink slips to all of the little worker bee's and a Cruise Terminal is going to pull us out of our economic slump? It is bad enough that Vescor sold off the property they were planning on building condo's and the like to Jaxport at such a great deal,  I don't know about you people, but I am tired of getting screwed and paying for this administrations mistakes! So I have to ask................I think this is another one, so convince me otherwise without playing the "JOB" Card which is a very iffy proposition! Yea.....I know, construction and maintanance which translates into Gate Concrete, Fuel from Gate and more than likely anyone want to bet there are plans for a "Gate Convience Store" so its all under one roof!

[Jim]

Hang on...condos were already proposed for the location but instead the land was sold to Jaxport and they are still searching for a viable location for the terminal?

What moron made the decision to buy the land with no certain intent on using for the intended purpose?  And worse still, Mayport is short a condo deal for it.

[CS Foltz]

Therein lies part of the problem Jim......Vescor sold the property that Vescor had acquired, slated for condos and the like to Jaxport......there were taxing issues (as in unpaid taxes which made some of the property available for the tax bill being satisfied, not to mention all of this property just happened to be on the water) Did you  know Vescor tried to get 11E and the Carling loan payments down to just paying the interest rather than the full loan amount because of the economic turndown .......our fair City loaned Vescor a total of $36.4 Million Dollars, one loan at 1.3% and the other at 1.4%.......I have not heard anything about it further which means that was probably approved by the City Council! Not really sure if losing out on the condos  is good or bad, have you seen how many are for sale all over? I think Vescor had grand plans and then could not finance them unless they could get another loan from the City of Jacksonvile and if I had anything to say about it...........no freakin way!

[reednavy]

Umm, isn't Jaxport a seperate intentity from the city?

[Jim]

Umm, isn't Jaxport a seperate intentity from the city?

Yes, Jaxport is an independent government agency.

[tufsu1]

$58 Million Dollars in the hole and counting!

or $9 million...but hey, who's counting!

[Keith-N-Jax]

Well doesn't Miami pretty much have a lock on the cruise ship industry. Maybe we should concentrate on the smaller ships. It sure was nice to see that ship docked DT during the SB.

[reednavy]

Well doesn't Miami pretty much have a lock on the cruise ship industry. Maybe we should concentrate on the smaller ships. It sure was nice to see that ship docked DT during the SB.

Our competition is with Savannah and Canaveral.

[Keith-N-Jax]

It seems our competition is with the Dames point bridge.

[CS Foltz]

Gentlemen...............I don't consider this a contest or a competition with any other city on the eastern seaboard! My point is quite simple..........who is going to pay for this to take place? City of Jacksonville is going to be about $58 Million Dollars in the hole, still counting on them unions to give up money.....yea that will happen, and we don't have it! Where do you draw the line for something that will take public money to get done? So I will ask once more, no public money being used would  make it strictly a private venture and that I have no problem with! Carnival Cruise Lines will be just jumping to get on the band wagon .....right?

[reednavy]

How is the city going to pay for this when JAXPORT is completely seperate? Honestly, you're blowing a lot, and I mean a lot of hot air, but that's just me.

[JeffreyS]

lake............I think your probably correct on that!  Definition of a giraffe - a horse designed by committee! Mayport is split  for sure and I lean towards those against..........but that is me!! I think it is just my rebel streak coming to the forefront.....the older I get, the more obstinate I get especially when authority  refuses to take all sides into consideration such as this Cruise Terminal! Benefit a few and I fail to see how it benefits the many!

I think they are taking both sides into account.  They stalled construction and have been winning he locals over to their side by selling their ideas and designs.  

How is the city going to pay for this when JAXPORT is completely seperate? Honestly, you're blowing a lot, and I mean a lot of hot air, but that's just me.

Isn't jaxport going to get a bond for this without the city?

[Jim]

Well doesn't Miami pretty much have a lock on the cruise ship industry. Maybe we should concentrate on the smaller ships. It sure was nice to see that ship docked DT during the SB.

Miami, Ft Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Port Canaveral, Tampa, Charleston and Jacksonville are all competing.    While Miami is large, it isn't the largest as that crown goes to Port Everglades.  The others aren't doing badly either though we are definitely the newest kid on the cruise port block.

[reednavy]

Well doesn't Miami pretty much have a lock on the cruise ship industry. Maybe we should concentrate on the smaller ships. It sure was nice to see that ship docked DT during the SB.

Miami, Ft Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Port Canaveral, Tampa, Charleston and Jacksonville are all competing.    While Miami is large, it isn't the largest as that crown goes to Port Everglades.  The others aren't doing badly either though we are definitely the newest kid on the cruise port block.

Wrong, the Port of Miami is the largest and busiest, Port Everglades has the world's largest cruise liner as it's home port.