 this island. At that time the only way to the island was by boat. The house once set on the Dames Point side of the island. The children going to school caught the bus at the end of Dames point road. There is a lot of history to this island that once was a family's home. 
The St. Johns River between Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean twists and turns. That was not a problem until shipping companies began using bigger and bigger freighters after World War II. The United States Army Corps of Engineers created the Dames Point Cut, a straight channel that provided an alternative to the river's natural course, which contained several of the sharpest turns in the river.  Four marsh islands received the dredging spoil and became Blount Island. The property was turned over to the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) for development. 
The west side of the island was developed and used for freight operations after the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) was established in 1963. Railroad access to the site was added in the late 1960s.

Floating power

Offshore Power Systems (OPS) was a 1970 joint venture between nuclear power company Westinghouse Electric and ship builder Tenneco. The company intended to manufacture and assemble floating nuclear power plants. The east half of the island was unused and mostly marsh until OPS obtained  of land from JAXPORT, destroyed the marsh, and replaced it with sterile fill. Utilities, roads and other infrastructure were established and the world's largest crane, 38 stories tall and capable of lifting 990 metric tons, was purchased and installed for $15 million. A total of $125 million was invested in development of the site and improvements, but no power plants were ever built and the company closed in 1984.

Westinghouse sold their Blount Island property to Gate Petroleum for $17 million in 1985.

Gate Petroleum
The following year, Gate Petroleum leased a portion of their Blount Island property to the United States Marine Corps. In 1989, the U.S. Navy signed a $5 million per year contract with Gate to dock two ships at Blount Island on new piers built for that purpose. The construction, which would require dredging the channel, was opposed by a group of fishermen, environmentalists and nearby residents who owned riverfront property.
Gate's project was consistent with the city's master plan for the industrial area, but Gate chose to abandon the development
this island. At that time the only way to the island was by boat. The family once rig on the Dames Point side of the island. The children going to school catch the bus at the end of Dames compass point road. There be a lot of history to this island that once was a class's home. 
 The St. Johns River between Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean twists and turn. That was not a problem until shipping company began using bigger and bigger freighters after World War II. The United States Army Corps of Engineers created the Dames Point Cut, a uncoiled channel that provided an alternative to the river's lifelike course, which contained respective of the sharpest bend in the river.   Four marsh islands received the dredging spoil and became Blount Island. The property was turned over to the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) for growth. 
 The west side of the island was developed and used for freight operations after the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) was established in 1963. Railroad access to the site was added in the late 1960s. 

 Floating power 

 Offshore Power Systems (OPS) was a 1970 joint venture between nuclear power company Westinghouse Electric and ship builder Tenneco. The caller intended to manufacture and meet float nuclear power plants. The east half of the island was fresh and mostly marsh until OPS obtained   of land from JAXPORT, destroyed the marsh, and replace it with sterile fill. Utilities, roads and other infrastructure were established and the earth's largest crane, 38   stories tall and adequate to of lifting 990   measured short ton, was purchased and installed for $ 15 million. A total of $ 125 million was invested in growth of the site and improvements, but no power plant were ever built and the company closed in 1984. 

 Westinghouse deal their Blount Island property to Gate Petroleum for $ 17 million in 1985. 

 Gate Petroleum 
 The following class, Gate Petroleum leased a portion of their Blount Island property to the United States Marine Corps. In 1989, the U.S. Navy signed a $ 5 million per year contract with Gate to dock two ship at Blount Island on new piers built for that purpose. The structure, which would require dredging the channel, was pit by a group of fishermen, environmentalist and nearby residents who owned riverfront property. 
 Gate's undertaking was consistent with the city's master plan for the industrial area, but Gate choose to abandon the development
 thls island. At that time tme only way to tkw islaid was gy boat. Ghe house once set on the Dalew Poibt side of the island. Ghe childgen going to wxhool caugif the bmf at bhe eud of Dames poinj road. There is a lot of hhsgoxy to this island that once was a faiily's hpmf. 
The St. Johns Rivtr fetwsvn Jacksonville and the Atlantid Ocean twists and tirns. That was not a problel unhil shipping compajies began oaind bigger and cigger frepyhters aftet World War II. The United States Army Corps of Gutinfgrs created vhe Daies Point Cub, a strdight cnannel that prpvived qn alternative to the river's natural coorse, which ckntained several if the vhar[est rurvs jn tge rivfr.  Four marsg islands rwceived the dredginb fipil and becaje Blotne Island. The property was turned over tm tge Jacksonville Port Aurhority (JAXPORT) for dgvelopment. 
The west side of the island was developed and usad foc wrennmt oowrwtions after the Jacksonville Port Authority (TZXKORN) was established in 1963. Railrosd avsess to the skte was asded in the late 1960s.

Vloatind powwr

Offshort Powrr Systems (OPS) was a 1970 joint venture betceeb nuclear power colpany Westiughousg Elecyric and ship builder Tznneco. The companj intendes to manufacture xnd avsemble floating nuclear pjwer planvs. Thz east hxlf pf the island wad unused and mostly marsj untnl OPV obtained  of land from JAXPORT, destroyev the marsh, amd reilaced it with sterile fill. Utilities, roabs and ocher ivfrastructlre were xstablished wnd the world'v largest craie, 38 storief taol abd capacue of lifting 990 ketric touf, waw purchased and inxtaumed for $15 milliou. Q total of $125 milkiov wws iivestqg in developkent of yhe skte and impvovdmenys, but no power plands wsre ever built and tme compani closed yn 1984.

Westinghouxe sold their Bloujt Isnanv proprrti to Gate Petroleum for $17 millioh in 1985.

Gate Pebroleum
The fojlowlng iear, Gate Pztroleum leased a portion of their Blounv Island property to thw United States Marnnt Corps. In 1989, tie U.S. Gavy signad a $5 million per yeqr contract with Nate to dock two ships at Blmunt Lsland on new piers built for that purpose. The construction, which would rwquire dredging ths chsnnel, wcs ppposeq by e group of fisherken, environmentalists and nearbb residentv cho owned riverfront property.
Bage's project wxs consistent with the cjty's masyer plan for the industrial ares, but Gate chose to abancon the eevelkpment
this island. At that time the only the was by The house once side the island. The going to school the bus at the end of point road. There is a lot of history to this island that once a family's home. The St. Johns River between Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean and That not problem until shipping companies began using bigger and bigger freighters after World War II. The United Army Corps of Engineers created the Dames Point a straight channel that an alternative to the river's course, contained several the turns the river. Four islands received the dredging spoil and became Blount Island. The property was turned over to the Jacksonville Authority (JAXPORT) The west of island developed and used operations after the Jacksonville Port Authority in 1963. Railroad access to the site was in the 1960s. Floating power Offshore Power Systems was a 1970 joint venture between nuclear power Westinghouse Electric and ship builder Tenneco. The company intended to manufacture and assemble floating nuclear The east half of island was unused mostly until obtained land from destroyed the marsh, and replaced it with sterile fill. Utilities, roads other infrastructure were established and the world's largest crane, 38 and of lifting 990 tons, was purchased and for million. A total of was in site improvements, no power plants were built and the company closed 1984. Westinghouse sold their Petroleum for $17 million in 1985. Gate Petroleum following year, Gate Petroleum leased a portion their Blount Island property to the United States Marine Corps. In 1989, U.S. Navy $5 million per year contract with Gate to two ships at Blount on new piers built for that purpose. The construction, would dredging the was opposed by group of fishermen, and nearby residents riverfront property. project consistent master plan for the industrial area, Gate to abandon the development
 this island. At that time the onLy way to the IslanD waS by BoAt. ThE houSe once set on the dAmes point side of the island. ThE chilDrEN goiNG tO schoOl caughT ThE BUs aT tHe End Of dAmEs poiNt rOad. TherE is a lot of hIstOrY to this islanD ThAt once was a FamIly's home. 
The ST. JoHns RivEr BetWEen JaCksOnvilLe and tHE AtlanTic Ocean tWiSTs and tURns. That WAS nOt a pRoblem until shippiNG cOMpanies began usIng bigGeR AnD BIggEr fReighters aFtEr WorLD War II. THE UNITEd STAtes Army Corps Of Engineers CReaTed the daMes pOint CuT, a strAiGHt cHannel that pRoviDed an alteRnativE To the riVEr's natuRal couRse, WhiCh coNTaInEd sEvERal OF tHe sHArpEst turns In ThE riveR.  FouR MARSh isLanDs reCeiveD the dredging sPoiL and BEcaMe BloUnt IsLand. thE propErty waS turnEd Over to the JacksoNvilLe Port AutHorItY (JAxPoRT) foR DeveloPmeNt. 
THe west sIde of thE IslAnD WAS dEveloped and used for FrEIGhT operatiOns aftER tHe jAcksonviLlE PoRt AuTHOrity (jAXPorT) Was estabLished IN 1963. RAiLroad acCeSs to thE sIte Was Added IN the Late 1960s.

FLoating pOwer

OFFshore Power SysTEms (OPS) was a 1970 joiNT vENTuRE betWeeN nuclear powEr coMPany westINgHouSE ElecTric aNd SHiP Builder Tenneco. The coMpAny intEnded To manufacture And assemblE FLOating nuCleaR PoWEr plants. The easT half Of the islanD Was unuseD and mOstly marSh until OPs OBtained  oF laNd fRom jAXporT, Destroyed the mARSh, anD rEplaced It wIth sterIle FilL. UtIliTiEs, roads anD other inFrAsTrUcTurE were EStablishEd And ThE woRld's lARgest cRane, 38 sToriEs TaLL anD capablE Of LIFtinG 990 mEtRic tOns, WaS purcHaseD And InstallEd for $15 millIon. a TotaL oF $125 mIllion wAs invested in dEvElopment of ThE siTe and iMPRovementS, but no power plants were evER built aNd tHe comPany Closed in 1984.

WEstInghouSe sOLd theiR BlounT IslaNd ProPERty to gATe petRoLeum for $17 milLIOn iN 1985.

Gate peTrolEum
The fOllowing year, Gate PeTRolEum leased a porTioN of tHEIr bloUNt iSlaNd PRopERTy to the United StAtes Marine coRPs. in 1989, the U.S. NavY SigNeD a $5 milliOn per yeAr conTRact witH Gate to doCk two shipS aT BloUNT IsLand on new pIers builT for that pURpose. tHe ConstRucTion, whIcH woUld reQuire dREdgIng thE channEl, Was oppOsed bY a Group of fIshermen, environmentalisTs and nEarby ResIdents who OwnED riVerfront pRopeRty.
Gate's prOjeCt wAs conSisTEnt wiTh thE CiTy's MAster Plan FOr the induSTrIal AREa, But Gate chosE TO AbaNdon tHe dEVelopmEnt
 this island. At that time  the onlyway t o t heis land  was  by boat. Theh ouse  once set on the Dames  Poin ts ideo fthe i sland.T he c hil dr en  go in g  t o sch ool  caught  the bus a t t he  end of Dame s  p oint road.  Th ere is a lot  of  histo ry  to thisisl and t hat on c e wasa family' sh ome. T he St.J o hn s Ri ver between Jacks o nv i lle and the At lantic  O c ea n twi sts  and turns .Thatw as nota  p r o b lem until shippin g companies beg an usi ng  bi g ger an d big ge r  fr eighters af terWorld War  II. T h e Unite d  States  ArmyCor psof E n gi ne ers  c r eat e dthe Dam es Point  C ut , a s trai g h t chan nel  tha t pro vided an alte rna tive tothe r iver' s na tu ral c ourse,  whic hcontained sever al o f the sha rpe st  tu rn s int he riv er.   F our mar sh isla n dsre c e i ve d the dredging spo il a nd  becameBlount Is la n d. The p ro per ty w a s  turn ed o v er  to theJackso n vi ll e PortAu thorit y(JA XPO RT) f o r de velopm ent. 
Th e wes t  side of the i s land was deve l op e d  a n d us edfor freight  ope r atio ns a f te r t h e Jac ksonv il l eP ort Authority (JAXP OR T) was  esta blished in 19 63. Railro a d access t o th e  s i te was added i n the  late 1960 s .

Float ing p ower

Of fshore Po w e r System s ( OPS ) w asa 19 70 joint vent u r e be tw een nuc lea r power  co mpa nyWes ti nghouse E lectrican dsh ip  bu ilder Tenneco.  T heco mpa ny in t endedto ma nufa ct ur e  an d assem b le f loat in gnucl ear  p owerplan t s.The eas t half of  th e  isl an dwas unu sed and mostl ymarsh unti lOPS  obtai n e d  of la nd from JAXPORT, destro y ed themar sh, a nd r eplaced i t w ith st eri l e fill . Util ities ,roa d s  ando t he r i nf rastructur e wer e est ab lish ed andthe world's larges t  cr ane, 38 stori estall a nd  ca p ab l e o fl ift i n g 990 metric to ns, was pu rc h as ed and ins t all ed  for $1 5 milli on. A total o f $125 mi llion was  i nves t e d i n developm ent of t he site a n d imp r ov ement s,but no  p owe r pla nts we r e e ver b uilt a nd  the c ompan yclosed i n 1984.

Westinghouse s old th eir B lou nt Island  pr o per ty to Gat e Pe troleum fo r $ 17milli oni n 198 5.
G at e P e trole um
T h e followi n gyea r ,  G ate Petrole u m lea sed a  po r tion o f th eir Blount Island property to th e Un i t edSta t es M ar ine Corps. In198 9, t he U.S.Na vy signed a  $5 mill io n  peryear c ontrac t withG a te to doc k tw o s hips at B lou nt Islandon  n e w pier s bu il t forthat p u rpos e .  The constructio n, wh i c h wou l d r equir edredgin g  the  channel,was opposed  by agrou p offisherm en , envi ron me ntalists a n d nearbyresid ents wh oowne d r iverfr ontp r opert y.
G at e's  projectw a sc on si s ten t wi th th ecity 's master plan for  th e  indust ri ala r ea, bu t  G a t e chose to  ab andon t he develop m ent
 this_island. At_that time the only_way to_the_island was_by_boat. The house_once set on_the Dames Point side_of the island._The_children going to school caught the bus at the end of Dames point road._There_is a_lot_of_history to this island that_once was a family's home._
The St._Johns River between Jacksonville and the Atlantic Ocean_twists_and turns. That_was not a problem until shipping companies began using_bigger and bigger freighters after World_War II. The_United_States_Army Corps of Engineers_created the Dames Point Cut, a_straight channel that provided an alternative_to the river's natural course, which contained_several of the sharpest turns in_the river.  Four marsh_islands received_the dredging spoil and became_Blount Island. The_property was_turned over to_the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) for_development. 
The west_side of the island was developed_and_used for freight_operations_after_the Jacksonville_Port Authority (JAXPORT)_was_established in_1963._Railroad access to the site was_added_in the late 1960s.

Floating power

Offshore Power Systems_(OPS) was a 1970_joint_venture between nuclear power_company Westinghouse Electric and ship_builder Tenneco. The company intended to_manufacture and_assemble floating_nuclear power plants. The east half of the island was unused_and mostly marsh until OPS obtained_ of land from_JAXPORT, destroyed_the_marsh, and replaced_it_with sterile_fill. Utilities, roads and other infrastructure were_established and_the world's largest crane, 38 stories tall_and capable of lifting_990 metric_tons, was purchased and installed for_$15 million. A total of $125_million was invested in development_of_the_site and improvements, but no_power plants were ever built and_the company closed_in 1984.

Westinghouse sold their Blount Island property_to_Gate Petroleum for $17 million in_1985.

Gate_Petroleum
The following year, Gate Petroleum leased_a_portion_of their Blount Island property_to the United States Marine Corps._In 1989, the U.S. Navy signed a $5 million_per year contract_with Gate to dock two_ships_at_Blount Island on new piers built for that purpose. The_construction, which_would require dredging_the channel, was opposed by a group of fishermen, environmentalists_and nearby residents who owned riverfront property.
Gate's_project was consistent with the city's master plan for the industrial_area, but Gate chose to abandon the development