A quarter-century of dedicated advocacy to preserve a Working Waterfront & the Heritage of an Authentic Village.
The Mayport Waterfront Partnership was formed in 1998 when the State of Florida designated Mayport Village as one of its first three Waterfronts Florida Communities in 1997. High yields for waterfront property, restrictions on fishermen’s hauls, and increasingly high costs of maintaining waterfront infrastructure had already taken their toll by that time. With their new status as a Waterfronts Florida Community and the 10K grant that came with it, there was fresh impetus to preserve the Village and its way of life.
A diverse group of citizens made up of civic leaders, urban planners, architects, educators, and business people formed the Mayport Waterfront Partnership to safeguard what still existed and find an authentic path for revitalization. That was 25 years ago and we haven’t looked back!
Upcoming Events
Scenic Visions 2025: Spotlight on Mayport Village
Scenic Jacksonville is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for its three-part series, “Scenic Visions: Spotlight on Mayport Village” to be held October 4th, October 25th and November 12th. The events are co-hosted by Mayport Waterfront Partnership, with participation from OCEARCH, JTA, Timucuan Ecological Preserve, the Coast Guard, Marine Science Center, Mayport Lighthouse Association and others.
“Our goal is to rediscover hidden gems within our community while engaging civic leaders and neighborhood stakeholders in thought-provoking experiences and meaningful conversations that help to catalyze community action,” said Nancy Powell, executive director. “This program is a complement to our successful annual Great Cities Symposium, and we are thrilled to partner with Mayport Waterfront Partnership and others to bring these opportunities to people both inside and outside of the Mayport area.”
Scenic Visions 2025: Spotlight on Mayport Village is a three-part series, with information and event registration at www.scenicjax.org. Tickets for each event are $25 per person sold separately. Space is limited
- Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. “Spotlight on Mayport Village: Guided Trolley Tour” a guided tour of Mayport with discussion about the working waterfront and eco-tourism, and stops at locations including the Coast Guard, The Marine Science Center, and the Mayport Lighthouse.
- Saturday, October 25th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. “Spotlight on OCEARCH” a presentation by executive director Chris Fischer, and a guided tour of the OCEARCH shark research boat, followed by a short JTA Ferry ride and discussion about the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.
- Wednesday, November 12th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. “Spotlight on Mayport’s Future: Panel Discussion” at the Gulliford Community Center. Facilitator Georgette Dumont from UNF will lead a discussion and Q & A with panelists Bill Gulliford of Mayport Waterfront Partnership, Chris Fischer from OCEARCH, Fred Jones from Haskell, and Christine Hoffman from the Beaches Museum and Historical Society.
We are thankful to our event sponsors including the Greater Arlington Civic Council, BrightSail Communications, and Fruit of Barren Trees, Inc. along with our partners Mayport Waterfront Partnership, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, OCEARCH and the Mayport Lighthouse Association.
Sponsorships are available.
Mayport Action Plan
A master plan and economic development comprehensive revitalization effort for the future of Mayport Village.
More than a small, working waterfront village in Northeast Florida, Mayport represents a unique tapestry of history, people, and experiences. In 2020, the community, led by the Mayport Waterfront Partnership (MWP), began a journey to develop a unified strategic vision for its future. The goal of this plan was to prepare a concept for redeveloping the core waterfront area into a vibrant, mixed-use village around three uniquely defined districts: Education, Historic and Working Waterfront. To build upon this effort and advance the strategic vision, the MWP recognizes the need for an action plan to best position critical infrastructure needs, with an emphasis on the Ocean Street corridor and parking, to catalyze future investment and economic development. Additionally, Mayport’s location on the St. Johns River provides an opportunity to implement development and infrastructure through the lens of resiliency. This plan provides a roadmap to help implement the vision.
