GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The existing Shands Bridge that is slated for replacement in the First Coast Expressway design should offer fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts another better, safer format to enjoy their activities now that plans are in the works to keep part of the bridge as a fishing pier.

Land underneath the old bridge would be paved to provide for parking and other possibilities.

“It’s an opportunity for another park setting,” said County Commissioner Wayne Bolla after hearing the plans.

County Manager Stephanie Kopelousos brought up the idea at the regular meeting May 24 of the Clay County Commission. Kopelousos, who formerly was the secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation and has extensive experience with the department, said the subject came up during recent conversations with the DOT about what to do with the existing bridge once the new bridge is built. Plans are to tear down the existing bridge, she said, but the possibility of keeping part of it to use as a fishing pier was discussed.

That would probably be good news to anglers and other enthusiasts who use a part of the original Shands Bridge as a fishing pier. That pier was left behind when the existing bridge was built in the same manner that is now being discussed for the current bridge.

The existing pier is not in very good shape, Kopelousos said, but it is a popular attraction for fishermen and others.

“The maintenance on it continues to go up. It’s wood, creosote. It’s got issues,” she said.

The DOT would take care of getting rid of the original fishing pier and make the new pier useable for fishing, as well as paving for parking underneath.

“My goal would be for us to tell DOT we’d like to move forward with taking over that portion of the pier. They would put it in appropriate shape,” Kopelousos said.

The county would be responsible for maintenance, but it is responsible for the maintenance of the existing pier, so there would be no difference there, she said. The new paving would add to existing parking and help keep cars from parking on the side of the road, she said.

Kopelousos said that during discussions she asked that the increased height planned for the middle of the new bridge be taken advantage of for the fishing pier.

“I asked them to look at getting us as far out before the span goes up so that you’re in some of that deeper water,” she said.

The commissioners were in agreement that the plan sounded good to them. Kopelousos said the next step would be for the DOT to bring back to the county a maintenance-type of agreement that ensures the county will maintain the area.

“And rightfully so,” said Commissioner Wendell Davis.

The commission also continued its move forward on purchasing approximately 158 acres of land located adjacent to Camp Blanding and the Belmore State Forest by unanimously approving a “facilitation agreement” with the St. Johns River Water Management District for due diligence services related to the purchase.

The property would be used long range for a multi-purpose public safety facility, with the first project on the land expected to be a gun range and accompanying building, Kopelousos said.

The property is currently privately-owned and the county is working with Camp Blanding to purchase it. The SJRWMD typically acts as the closing agent for Camp Blanding and handles most of the closing documents as well as the environmental assessment. Usually, the property is then managed by the SJRWMD, said Kopelousos.

This case is slightly different, she said.

“Since we have compatibility with the property with the surrounding properties of Camp Blanding and the conservation area we will be the owners of the property. SJRWMD has agreed to continue like they normally do and be the closing agent. They are in the process of finishing up the environmental assessment, so they wanted an agreement between the county and SJRWMD,” Kopelousos said. “That’s what we have before you today.”

The commission unanimously approved the item. It can still, however, walk away from the plan to purchase the land if things don’t proceed satisfactorily.

A multi-purpose facility for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office has long been the dream of Sheriff Rick Beseler. And while Beseler won’t be the sheriff when the dream probably becomes a reality as he is not running for office again, it is moving forward.

Part of the reason for that is other agencies have become involved and are helping in the effort. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is one of those, and the gun range, which it would also use, is a top priority, Kopelousos said.

“My recommendation to you once we purchase this property, the first goal is to work with the FBI to get the gun range in place. The FBI has been working with the sheriff and they are committed to putting in that gun range. My hope is once we close on the property that gets started right away,” she said.

The county is expected to pay about $200,000 as its share of the more than $800,000 purchase price for the 158 acres.

Among other things that the Sheriff’s Office is looking at for the future is a minimum security facility, a juvenile detention facility, a driving range and a training and storage facility, Beseler has said in the past.