DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Local fishermen said they are feeling more optimistic after Jacksonville city leaders met Wednesday morning to discuss the state of the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier.
The pier is erected at the Duval and Nassau County lines. The Duval side has been shut down due to deterioration and lack of upkeep, rendering it inaccessible to local fishermen.
Longtime fishing enthusiast Leatrice Bell told News4JAX she has fished at the pier for nearly four decades. She said now is the time to do something.
“The mayor says no one is overlooked,” Bell said. “And we do feel overlooked, because it’s run down. It’s the worst bridge on Heckscher Drive.”
Wednesday’s meeting, hosted by Council Member Mike Gay, included other council members and State Representative Dean Black. Discussions centered on the pier’s maintenance, including the shutdown of running water and removal of bait stations.
City leaders confirmed that Duval County contributes $35,000 annually, while Nassau County pays $15,000 for the bridge’s upkeep.
The park is named in honor of former state Representative George Crady. He, too, questioned how the money is being used.
“I feel, after going out there, that more money has been spent to impede progress on the bridge than has been spent to enhance the progress on the bridge,” Crady said.
When we asked about the upkeep, the city of Jacksonville pointed to the state. A city spokesperson said in part:
“A1A is owned and maintained by FDOT. The Fishing Pier is owned and maintained by FDEP through a four-party agreement with FDEP, FDOT, COJ and Nassau County. We pay FDEP $35k per year for maintenance and upkeep. This has occurred for 20+ years, basically since shortly after the new bridge was built in approximately 1999.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was noticeably absent during the meeting.
One attendee expressed frustration, saying, “I am highly disappointed that the DEP couldn’t have someone here today being that they are the custodians of the upkeep of that bridge.”
Representative Dean Black told News4JAX he, too, spent many years fishing at the pier and noted its significance to the community. Black said his office is working on a plan immediately.
“Somebody needs to turn the water back, my office is going to look on that immediately,” Black said. “There are a number of other things we might do short-term to make things better and we should have long-term plans as well.”
Despite the challenges, the meeting left some attendees, like Leatrice Bell, feeling hopeful.
“100 percent. And I’m going to take them at their word,” Bell said, expressing optimism about the discussions.
Councilman Gay suggested giving the bridge a historical distinction, which could potentially open doors for additional support.
“It’s definitely something we need to look into,” Gay said. “When George Crady was a state rep, he actually was part of keeping this bridge open as a fishing pier.”
As the community awaits further developments, the focus remains on ensuring the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier can be enjoyed for years to come.
News4JAX has reached out to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a response. We will update when a response becomes available.
