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Jacksonville Discusses New Marina Project to Honor Hans Tanzler

Rendering of the Han Tanzler Marina in Jacksonville

News Summary

Jacksonville is set to discuss the proposed Liberty Street Basin Marina at a meeting on May 8. This project will honor former Mayor Hans Tanzler and aims to revitalize the area where the Duval County Courthouse once stood. The marina will provide amenities for various vessels and enhance waterfront activities in downtown Jacksonville, with plans for docking areas and a harbormaster house. Community input is encouraged during the discussion.

Jacksonville is set to discuss a proposed marina project that will honor former Mayor Hans Tanzler. The Liberty Street Basin Marina, which will be located on the St. Johns River between Liberty and Market streets at the 200 block of East Bay Street, is scheduled for discussion by the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) on May 8.

This project aims to revitalize the area where a parking structure for the former Duval County Courthouse once stood. The courthouse was demolished in 2019 to make way for new development initiatives. The marina was referred to as the “Liberty Street Basin Marina – CIP Project (No Action)” and seeks to bring waterfront activity to downtown Jacksonville.

The preliminary design and renderings for the new marina have been created by HDR Engineering and Pond & Co. and feature the name “Hans Tanzler Marina” prominently on the harbormaster house. Design plans include a harbormaster house located at the northwest corner of the marina, which will provide essential amenities such as restrooms, laundry facilities, an office, a boat lift, and a seating area that may include vending services.

The marina is designed to accommodate a variety of vessels, including transient boats and commercial crafts such as tour boats and rentals. Alongside the harbormaster house, docking areas are proposed on the west, north, and east sides of the inlet. Additionally, a docking area is planned to extend from the marina toward Liberty Street, leaving a small inlet in the southeast corner that will include a water taxi landing. Two additional sets of docks will extend eastward from the marina’s west wall, broadening the facility’s capacity and accessibility for visitors.

Though the DDRB will review the project on May 8, the current discussion is classified as informational, meaning no action will be required from the board at this time. Specific details regarding the size and cost of the project have not yet been made available in the board’s documentation.

Former Mayor Hans Tanzler served as the mayor of Jacksonville from 1967 to 1979. He is well-remembered in the community for his advocacy in improving the environment, specifically for his efforts in cleaning up the St. Johns River. Tanzler spearheaded initiatives that implemented sewage treatment and a series of environmental regulations during his tenure. He also utilized revenue from the consolidation of city and county governments to support downtown revitalization, significantly contributing to projects like Florida State College at Jacksonville and 1 Independent Square.

The upcoming DDRB meeting will take place at 2 p.m. on May 8 at the Main Library, located at 303 N. Laura St. Community members and stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the proposed marina and share their thoughts on future developments aimed at enhancing the waterfront and downtown district.

As the discussion unfolds, the community looks forward to a revitalized area that pays tribute to a mayor who played a significant role in shaping Jacksonville’s identity and environment.