UPDATED STORY: The City of Jacksonville said Friday the current vendor decided to move forward with operating the concession stand and there will not be a search for a new management company at this time.
Right now, the Council is currently considering a lease amendment that would further subsidize the Pier. The bill is in committee.
The bill provides for suspension of the already-reduced monthly lease payment of $1,100 and for the City to pay the operator a monthly stipend of $500 until the pier is fully restored.
New this morning. The City of Jax said the current vendor decided to move forward with operating the concession stand. So, there will NOT be a search for a new vendor at this time. https://t.co/tWkCKemUue
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 19, 2018
The Jacksonville Beach Pier will stay open, despite rumblings that it was going to close.
Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham put rumors about the pier closing to bed.
The company that has managed and maintained the pier for the last 12 years unexpectedly backed out of the lease.
Pier employees said they were given two days’ notice to find a new job.
Mayor Latham said they are in the process of finding a new vendor and expect to make a decision soon, but said the pier will stay open.
Tom Zanucci, with Dania Pier Management, told Action News Jax he couldn’t make money with the condition the pier was in.
The current vendor said he wasn't making enough money with the condition the pier is in. Part of the pier remains closed after it was damaged during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. pic.twitter.com/BC1JtvNjiv
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) October 18, 2018
The pier was torn apart during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. A total of 620 feet of the pier reopened March 1, 2018.
STORY: Jacksonville Beach pier reopens
Leaders with the city of Jacksonville said they intend to rebuild the pier to the length it was before the hurricanes.
There is no set timeline for when that project will take place.
STORY: Future of Jacksonville Beach Pier still uncertain
Cox Media Group