The Marsh Oaks Community Center, the city's newest facility, is next to Beaches Veterans Memorial Park and is being transformed into a hurricane-hardened, 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 providing essential community services for seniors, veterans, and others; and for Parks and Recreation offices.  It will also be available for events held at Beaches Veterans Memorial Park and for private gatherings.

The City anticipates opening the new community center by July 2026.

December 2025 Construction Status and Looking Ahead

Significant progress has been made on the interior and exterior rough-in and preparatory work:

Building Systems Rough-in: The HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems are approximately 90% roughed in.

Fire Suppression: Installation of the fire suppression system is nearing completion.

Interior Framing: Interior framing is complete.

Exterior Preparation: Lathing and preparation for the exterior stucco finish are almost complete and have successfully passed inspection.

Exterior Openings

Progress has been made in preparing the building envelope for new windows and doors:

• West Side Openings: Openings for two new windows on the west side of the building have been successfully installed.
• Rear Door Opening: An opening for a new door in the back of the building (west side) has also been installed.
• Installation: A double storefront-type door has been ordered for the east side of the building. The installation of the two new west-side windows and the new rear door is scheduled to occur upon the arrival of the storefront double door.

Look Ahead: Upcoming Work

The following key activities are anticipated to begin in December:

• Interior Finishes: ACON plans to begin hanging sheetrock next week.
• Exterior Finish: The exterior stucco installation may begin next week, following the successful inspection of the lathing and prep work.

Planning for the exterior site improvements is underway:

• Design Development: A design and bid package is being developed for the hardscaping and driveway replacement.
• Scope: This package will include a redesigned parking area and plans for the interface with Beaches Veteran Memorial Park.

Substantial work is anticipated to be completed by the end of January.

(September 2025 Update)

Official Name

At its meeting on Aug. 11, 2025, the City Commission officially named the facility Marsh Oaks Community Center. The naming of the building was conducted following the City's Parks, Recreation Areas, and Building Naming Policy. On July 22, the Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee (ARCC) formally voted to approve the name Marsh Oaks Community Center for the facility. The name Marsh Oaks Community Center has been proposed to honor the surrounding neighborhood, known for its distinctive character and natural beauty. The name reflects the graceful canopy of live oaks and the ecological significance of the adjacent marshlands—hallmarks of the area that contribute to the city’s identity.

Current Construction and Future Enhancements:

ACON Construction and its design-build team are working on significant upgrades and improvements. Here are some photos taken in June 2025.

• Hurricane Hardening: 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 was fortified to withstand severe storms. The state has since completed its structural inspection.
  • 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 ensure the community center will be an incredibly secure place, especially during hurricane season.
• Interior Finishes and Exterior Improvements (Currently Underway): With the grant-funded hardening project to fortify the building against 140 mph winds complete, ACON Construction has begun renovating the interior of the building, which includes new plumbing, electrical systems, air conditioning, and fire sprinkler systems. Exterior beautification will follow. 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 Veterans Park. This work will be funded through a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant.

Programming Opportunities: Community Input Welcomed

Your input is valuable! Your voice was heard in our recent community center survey (the results are available here), and we're developing an operational plan for the center. The public is encouraged to continue providing input about the community center’s use by emailing info@coab.us.