Nassau County News!

Press Release

By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

09-01-24

Pages Dairy & Chester Road Intersection Improvements

The Nassau County Engineering Department is reconstructing Chester Road and Pages Dairy Road including the railroad crossing on Chester Road. The railroad crossing section of reconstruction will be from Pages Dairy Road intersection at the Railroad crossing to the entrance of Fantastic Gymnastics. Work is expected to start on Sept 5th with railroad crossing reconstruction, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. Completion of the reconstruction is expected to take 5 days, potentially including night activities, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.

Traffic will be maintained in accordance with FDOT design standards throughout the project. During the reconstruction there will be a detour via Pages Dairy Road to Felmor Road to SR 200 / A1A. During the reconstruction Chester Road will be closed to complete work, as shown below:

Map with Road Closure:

Road Closed

Access to Fantastic

Gymnastics will be maintained.

Map with Detour Route: The Nassau County BOCC selected Reeves Construction Co. to complete this project in late 2025, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. The public’s patience and understanding while we bring your community these needed improvements are appreciated. Questions or concerns may be directed to Project Administrator James Cuneo of CSI Geo at [email protected].

Budget Hearings Scheduled

The First Public Hearing for consideration of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget will take place during the BOCC’s regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The second hearing will take place during the regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Please note that the budget being considered for FY 24/25 includes a millage (tax) rate reduction for the 4th consecutive year. This was achieved while continuing to fund the critical capital improvement plan, pavement management plan, chip seal program, and improving public safety through investments into the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Fire Department. Additionally, the budget provides funding for the staffing and operations of the new Fire Station No. 10, currently under construction.
Understanding the demands of the County residents and the future economic pressures, the tentative budget continues to focus on improving the quality of life while working within the restricted revenues of the County. The budget is structured to continue funding for investment into land conservation and management programs, in line with the request from the community and pursuant to the voter approved referendum in November 2022.
Agendas can be located on our website on the Thursday prior to the meetings. Should you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.

American Beach Community Planning Meeting

Community members and interested individuals attended a meeting to discuss the Crossroads area of American Beach (around Gregg and Lewis Streets) on Saturday, August 24th. The Planning Department hosted the event with facilitation provided by the Community Planning Collaborative at the American Beach Community Center on Amelia Island. Discussion during the community meeting focused on the following:

Planning efforts to date;
Update on Evans’ Rendezvous grant;
Summary of neighborhood vision for Evans’ Rendezvous, and;
Next steps for neighborhood planning efforts.

For more information related to the American Beach planning effort, view the following: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/990/American-Beach-Neighborhood-Planning.

Turtle Talk Tuesday

It’s turtle nesting season! From May 1st – October 31st each year, sea turtles visit Amelia Island beaches to nest, and it’s up to all of us to make their visit as safe as possible! During this turtle nesting season, we are introducing “Turtle Talk Tuesday”. Every Tuesday, we will provide you with facts about our local turtle population and what is being done to protect them.

This week, Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch President Mary Duffy has provided a mid-season update on sea turtle activities on Amelia Island.

Learn more

Bicentennial & Nassau Vision 2050 Activities

Bicentennial Scavenger Hunt

As part of our year-long Bicentennial Celebration, we are hosting a Scavenger Hunt featuring photo challenges, quizzes and information about Nassau County’s history. The Scavenger Hunt is designed to take you all over the County, many places you may have never seen or even heard about.

The Scavenger Hunt will take place from October 1 – November 2, 2024 so participants have a whole month to complete the challenge at your own pace. Each participant completing the challenge will earn a special Bicentennial Challenge Coin and be entered into a drawing for a hotel stay on Amelia Island.

There will be no cost to participate. Stay tuned for details in the next few days!

Turpentine Days

In celebration of Nassau County’s 200th birthday, the Nassau County Public Library System is hosting a special program, Turpentine Days. Led by local historian John Hendricks of the West Nassau Historical Society, this event will include discussions on one of Nassau County’s first industries, turpentine production, and the economic and social impact the industry had on the development of Nassau County.

WHAT: Turpentine Days Event

WHEN: Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Yulee Branch, 76346 William Burgess Blvd., Yulee (within FSCJ College)

This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Yulee Branch Library.

Questions? Call (904) 530-6500 or email [email protected].

Bicentennial Corn Maize

Throughout the year, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres, located in Hilliard, provides family-friendly and agritourism opportunities to the community by allowing the public to visit the farm for photo ops and good, wholesome fun. They host field trips and parties and provide the annual sunflower patch and the pumpkin patch and corn maze. Each year, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres creates a new design of the corn maze which is unveiled before opening day. We are excited to announce that as part of our year-long Bicentennial, Nassau County has partnered with Conners A-Maize-ing Acres for a special Bicentennial-themed corn maze design.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we highlight this tedious process and provide sneak peaks of the mystery design. An announcement will be made this summer about a joint unveiling event between Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres and the Board of County Commissioners. You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime (more like 200 years!) design unveiling or the loads of fun waiting for you at Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres.

Community Building Blocks Survey

YOUR VOICE SHAPES NASSAU COUNTY’S FUTURE! WE HEARD YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VISION. NOW, SHARE YOUR IDEAS ON THE BUILDING BLOCKS!

Nassau County is building a vision for the future, and we need YOUR input! Over thousands of voices shared their hopes for Nassau’s future. Take the quick second survey to share your ideas on the community’s DRAFT “Community Building Blocks” – these core values will guide recommendations and strategies for the Nassau Florida Vision 2050 plan. These draft Building Blocks were created by synthesizing: the community’s voice and a recognition of future needs following an analysis of existing conditions.

The County launched Nassau Florida Vision 2050, a collaborative 18-month process involving local leaders, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the future of our community. The Building Blocks were identified through community engagement, and a review of the County’s plans, studies, and existing conditions. Spread the word and share the survey with your friends and family!

To learn more about the project, future Bicentennial events, and ways to get involved, please visit www.nassaufl2050.com.