Residents of Jacksonville are now able to access their weekly market by boat. During the summer of 2010, city officials began the process of soliciting requests for proposals for a new public dock, located on the west bank of Jacksonville, Florida’s John’s River, just a few feet north of the Fuller Warren Bridge. The site is home of Jacksonville’s popular Riverside Arts Market (RAM).
In September 2010, Bellingham Marine was awarded the contract to build the city’s 200-foot L-shaped dock. The dock features Bellingham’s Unifloat concrete system. The wide stable configuration will accommodate large crowds and provide up to 400’ of moorage for vessels visiting the weekly market. There is also an informational kiosk near the dock to inform boaters and all users of the river about manatees, sea turtles, right whales and other marine life.
The opening of the new dock was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday March, 5th. Jacksonville Mayor, John Peyton, representatives from Bellingham Marine, and many local residents were present at the event.
“The new docks and expanded access to the river are important additions for everyone but are especially important to local boaters,” said Ron Carey, Manager of Project Development for Bellingham Marine’s SE Division and longtime Jacksonville resident.
The Saturday market has become one of Jacksonville’s most popular weekend attractions, drawing thousands each Saturday to the huge festival. This all-weather festival marketplace under the Fuller Warren Bridge boasts over 100 artist vendors, live music, street performers, a farmer’s market, and a wonderful selection of food vendors.
As the world’s leading marina design-build marina construction company, Bellingham Marine produces Unifloat® concrete floating dock systems, Unideck® metal frame floating dock systems and Unistack® dry stack systems for marinas worldwide.
Public Relations Contact: Bellingham Marine, PO BOX 8, Bellingham, WA 98227; ph. 360-676-2800 fax. 360-734-2417; bmi@bellingham-marine.com; www.bellingham-marine.com
Unifloat, Unideck and Unistack are registered trademarks of Bellingham Marine.
