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1972
Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation Inc. was formed
to raise funds for the restoration of the city. Jacobs & Associates
was named its pro bono executive director, and the restoration
of downtown Fernandina Beach was underway. The University
of Florida School of Architecture created the required drawings
of significant Fernandina Beach buildings to place in the
Library of Congress, along with completing work that resulted
in 30 downtown blocks to be placed on the National Register
of Historic Sites and Places. On behalf of the foundation,
our law firm, along with others, applied for and received
a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts City Design
Program to complete the restoration plan.
1975
With the assistance of Florida Senator Lawton Chiles, our firm
applied for funding from the United States Economic Development
Administration and was awarded one of the administration’s
largest grants — $1.353 million for the restoration of six
blocks of downtown Fernandina Beach. The diligence of each
Fernandina Beach city commission since 1976 symbolizes how
the restoration has continued to be a success.
1978
Our firm was appointed general counsel for the Ocean Highway
and Port Authority from 1978-1996. After many years of planning,
we helped create a $100 million bond issue to restore and
build the Port of Fernandina.
1986
The Port of Fernandina was opened. More than 300 ships visit
each year, which is reminiscent of port traffic at the turn
of the century. As support for the port developed that year,
our firm helped produce a $65 million bond issue for the development
of the Fernandina-Yulee International Trade Plex. In 1993, Georgia
Pacific opened its regional headquarters in the center. Today,
the port and trade plex’s nearly 500,000 square feet of space
generates approximately $25 million for the economy of Fernandina
Beach and Nassau County. |
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1983
Jacobs & Associates negotiated with the state of Florida on
behalf of the owners of 250 acres on the south end of Amelia Island
to be sold for $8.3 million as part of the “Save Our Coast” land
acquisition program. Thus, South Amelia Island State Park was
established.
1984 to present
We are devoted to preserving Amelia Island’s beaches. Our firm
represented the South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization Association
in its acquisition of approximately $35 million worth of sand
for the beaches of South Amelia Island from federal and state
sources, including the preservation of the 250-acre Marine
Hammock forest. As part of this negotiation on behalf of the
state of Florida, the Memorandum of Understanding ensures
that all beach-compatible sand that is dredged from the Kings
Bay Submarine Base channel be placed upon the beaches of Amelia
Island. We are currently involved in securing the necessary
easements and funding for the preservation of Amelia Island’s
northern beaches. To date, $4 million has been raised and
an additional $6.5 million for this project is pending in
Congress.
2001
On behalf of the owners of Martin’s Island, the 100-acre island
west of Fernandina Beach, our firm helped negotiate the purchase
of the property by the state of Florida to maintain the island’s
natural condition.
2003
Jacobs & Associates helped negotiate on behalf of the landowners
for the preservation of Tiger Island in 2003. It is now property
of the state of Florida and will be maintained forever in its
natural environment. |
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1999
When Wal-Mart planned to build a supercenter just outside the
Fernandina Beach city limits on Amelia Island, our firm, along
with the downtown merchants association and other individuals,
was successful in getting the plans adjusted. The new Wal-Mart
Supercenter was built near Yulee. |
