Port Breaks Ground on Bulkhead

Down a dirt-and-gravel road under the George Tapper Bridge, across the canal from Raffield Fisheries, one significant leg for the economic future of the county began to be forged by a dozen or so shovels of dirt.

With county and Port St. Joe city leaders joining representatives from the Port Authority and The St. Joe Company, ground was broken under a warm morning sun on the bulkhead that will hopefully be hosting ships before the last page on the 2008 calendar has been turned.

In a tough economic climate, the event seemed like a breath of fresh air and the presence of so many local dignitaries and interested parties underscored the feeling.

"This is a catalyst," said local businessman Patrick Jones. "The port, the hospital, city infrastructure, I think of 2008 as a crux year for the community.

Jones added that the community has long survived on "one horse," whether the paper mill, tourism or the real estate market.

"I'd like to see us riding several horses," Jones said.

The breaking of ground at the bulkhead - preceded by a ribbon cutting at the Port Authority's new offices at 206 Monument Avenue - was a significant step in some five years of work among a number of stakeholders to bring an operational port to fruition.

Last year, the Port Authority agreed to purchase land made available by The St. Joe Company to begin the construction of the port footprint, which would tap one of the great natural resources of the area, the deepwater port which is one of just 14 in Florida.

"I'd like to think that they are putting the port back in Port St. Joe," said Port St. Joe Mayor Mel Magidson. "I thank (the Port Authority board) for their hard work thus far, keep going and don't quit."

Now, with grant and matching funds of over $5.6 million in hand, the Port Authority can begin work on the bulkhead as well as dredging of a shipping basin adjacent to the bulkhead.

Negotiations continue with both The St. Joe Company and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a temporary off-load site either on the old mill bulkhead or within the old shipping channel.

Additionally, the Florida Department of Transportation is moving forward on a study which would be part of application to transform the port into a part of the state's Strategic Intermodal System, a key distinction for building the area's transportation infrastructure, such as a four-lane Hwy. 71.

"This is the last opportunity for a working port in Florida," said Allen Cox, chairman of the Port Authority board of directors. "This is such a resource. This is a tremendous opportunity."

Cox made special note of the assistance and cooperation received from the mayor and city commissioners as well as the Board of County Commissioners.

Elected officials devoted one full day to private presentations from one of three or four potential customers the port has already identified as being poised to use its facilities once operational.

Those discussions, it was noted, underscored the importance to the entire county and region of the creation of an operational port. County commissioners, for example, adjourned their regular meeting on Tuesday morning to participate in the ground-breaking.

"I think the effect of the port will be far-reaching," said Port Authority board member Warren Yeager, adding that this was an incremental step forward and the full dividends waited just down the road.

Construction at the bulkhead should begin shortly after the steel which has been ordered arrives.

The timetable for delivery is roughly 90 days and the steel was ordered shortly after the Port Authority let the contract earlier this year.

The construction and dredging are estimated to take about six months.