Bikes, old furniture, you name it. The collection of old items that have built up outside the now abandoned Amoco gas station off Mayport Road and State Road A1A is more than just an eyesore. It’s part of a much larger problem – with dozens of homeless reportedly living inside the now abandoned Mayport business.
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“It’s more than just an eyesore,” nearby neighbor Komisha Blackmon explained. “It’s just disturbing because they’re homeless so you don’t wanna say something, but the way they leave their stuff so nasty over there, it smells horrible.”
Neighbors in Mayport like Blackmon also say the location is now a hot spot for police activity.
According to calls for service Action News Jax requested with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, police have been called out 30 times to the location so far in 2024 - with five suspicious person calls, three calls for illegal camping or squatting, and one blight abatement.
“The police are there, we’re constantly calling the police about it, and nothing seems to be done,” Blackmon added.
Action News Jax reached out to JSO about plans to address the issue, with it being on private property, but has yet to hear back.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville city councilman Rory Diamond, who represents the area, said in a statement, quote:
“The beach community is being inundated with homeless from downtown. Eighty-seven percent of new homeless are coming from downtown. While we are a compassionate and friendly community, we are not going to be the dumping ground for Jacksonville’s homelessness problem.”
Blackmon told Action News Jax Friday that the homeless community that’s overrun the old building is a massive public nuisance.
However, Marsha Tidwell, herself homeless, told Action News Jax she just fell on hard times, adding that she hopes the community keeps compassion and remains focused on addressing the root causes of homelessness.
“Something needs to be done because I’m not gonna always be down,” Tidwell said emotionally, choking back tears. “I’m gonna come back up, but I just thank god for letting me see it because you learn a lot going through stuff.”
Action News Jax also tried reaching out to the listed business owner to see if there are plans to renovate, repurpose, or sell the location but was unable to get in touch at this time.
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