The mayor of Neptune Beach is pushing a plan to relocate city hall and another government building to make way for better commercial developments.
Neptune Beach City Hall sits right in the middle of the downtown entertainment district.
City leaders say they’ve not only outgrown the building, but they also believe there’s better uses for it.
Previous Neptune Beach mayor Harriet Pruette proposed to move Neptune Beach City Hall and the police department, and now current mayor Elaine Brown wants to follow through.
City councilor Fred Jones agrees. He said downtown isn’t the best location for the government buildings.
“They're not revenue-generating buildings, so would this be the highest and best use moving forward?” Jones said.
Brown said the current 5,000-square-foot city hall building needs a new roof and staff needs more room.
Jones said parking also is an issue.
“I think the parking issue limits the participation even at city hall City Council meetings,” he said.
It’s unclear exactly where the buildings would move, but Jones said somewhere on Third Street or Jarboe Park would be good contenders.
People in Neptune Beach had mixed feelings about the potential sale.
“it just could benefit more if they had it retailed,” Sydney Tricell, who was visiting the beaches, said.
Diana Fullop, who lives at the beach, said there are already enough restaurants and retail space. She said it's not necessary.
Ultimately, Jones said the move would put prime real estate back on the tax rolls and create more opportunity.
“I think it's just really about having a vision for the future,” Jones said.
The plan is in the early stages but city leaders said they are looking forward to the discussion.
Cox Media Group
