A water, sewer and electric Service Availability Request is in review by JEA for JU DB OCEARCH at 4653 Ocean St. along the St. Johns River in Mayport.
The site is a new two-building OCEARCH facility, a partnership between the shark-tagging and oceanic research organization and Jacksonville University.
One building will house a headquarters facility with offices, meeting laboratory and exhibit spaces. The other building will be a residence with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and living spaces.
The master plan for the site, announced in June 2024, also includes spaces for public education and meetings, OCEARCH ship operations, dockage for research vessels in addition to a marine life research laboratory and basic housing for researchers and crew members.
JU received $5 million from the state of Florida in 2023 to support build-out of the new headquarters, and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved an additional $5 million for it this year.
The city of Jacksonville also contributed to the project with a $6 million investment in a new dock completed in 2023.