Construction underway for Marsh Oaks Community Center

The Marsh Oaks Community Center, the working name for Atlantic Beach’s newest facility addition adjacent to Beaches Veterans Memorial Park, is being transformed into a hurricane-hardened asset and a vibrant community hub.

The City of Atlantic Beach acquired the 4,500-square-foot former assisted living facility at 100 W. 1st Street in 2024 with the vision of transforming it into a center for Recreation & Parks staff and a provider of essential community services for seniors, veterans and more. It will also be available for events at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park and private gatherings.

Marsh Oaks Community Center exterior concept

Contributed

Current Construction and Future Enhancements:

ACON Construction and its design-build team are diligently working on significant upgrades and improvements:

Hurricane Hardening (under way): Thanks to a $220,000 grant from the Florida Department of Emergency Management (specifically, the State of Florida’s Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program), the building is being fortified to withstand severe storms.

• A new 140 mph roof has been installed.

• Extensive interior bracing has tied the walls, roof and floor together for exceptional strength.

• Impact-resistant doors and windows are scheduled for installation by June 20, keeping this critical work on track for completion by June of this year. This ensures the community center will be an incredibly secure place, especially during hurricane season.
  
  
  

  Marsh Oaks Community Center concept plan

  Contributed

Interior Finishes and Exterior Improvements (upcoming): Once the hardening work is complete, ACON Construction will shift focus to interior improvements and exterior beautification. This phase is being funded by a $500,000 grant from the City of Jacksonville.

Parking and Landscaping (upcoming): As the building nears completion, the existing parking area and fencing will be removed. A new parking lot with landscaping will be installed, seamlessly integrating the building with Veteran’s Park. This work is funded through a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant.

Community Input Welcome

Citizen input is valuable. The public is encouraged to provide input about the community center’s use by emailing info@coab.us.