Neighbors fight potential changes to Atlantic Beach access point

Action News Jax is hearing from neighbors who are worried potential changes to their beach access point will not allow those with disabilities to visit the beach.

They’re worried after a petition was started to change the design of the dune walkover at 3rd Street in Atlantic Beach.

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“We were very upset,” neighbor Ingrid Carlson said.

Carlson is talking about her reaction to a petition that calls for the crossover to be replaced with a flat or slightly raised structure.

“I fear that there’s a lot of people in our neighborhood that will not be able to get to the beach … people in wheelchairs, people with assisted walkers,” Carlson said.

“It’s never been part of the petition,” said neighbor Mike Post.

Post signed the petition for change. He lives right next to the crossover. He tells Action News Jax he doesn’t want any change to impact those with disabilities.

“I don’t think anybody wants to add stairs,” Post said.

Post’s main concern is how tall the crossover is. He gave Action News Jax a photo showing his wife next to the 3rd Street crossover. For comparison, he also provided photos of her standing by other crossovers in the area.

“This is the only walkway that is a pier. It’s easily twice the size as any other walkway in Atlantic Beach,” Post said.

But still, others like Carlson worry about the crossover changing. That’s why she helped start a petition to leave it the way it is.

“I was amazed by the number of people who have stories about how important this ramp is to them,” Carlson said.

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“I think there’s a very reasonable compromise here,” Post said.

Mayor Mitch Reeves heard about the petitions for the damaged crossover and decided to hold a meeting to hear from both sides of the issue.

“We started a repair … we slowed down to have this discussion,” Reeves said.

Reeves said his main concern is if the crossover were changed to a cut-through.

“When you have these openings, the water finds a way to come through. This becomes a river,” Reeves said.

The meeting takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Commissioner's Chambers in Atlantic Beach.

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