JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Downtown development is on the minds of people in Jacksonville.
Residents took part in a conversation with city leaders at a stakeholder meeting Wednesday to discuss the future of Riverfront Plaza, the Riverwalk and resilience and landscaping.
Lori Boyer, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority, said phase one of the Riverfront Plaza will be completed towards the end of next year, and phase two could start shortly after if funding becomes available.
The current plans for the future of Riverfront Plaza have an option for a privately developed building -- maybe, a hotel or residential building. It’s still up in the air what will be making way in that space.
“We’re hoping it would start in early 2026. And that’s everything is being timed to make sure that all of those utility relocates and other things happen in advance so that construction on the park phase two could start in 26,” Boyer said.
Susan Caven has lived in Jacksonville for 57 years. She is a member of the group called Riverfront Parks Now.
“We’re all here because we just love Jacksonville,” Caven said.
She wants the park to remain a park and for development to be built around it.
“People want to come downtown to be in a beautiful park and they want to go to restaurants or they want to live in apartments nearby. So that is what we’re saying, make the river make our downtown riverfront shine. And people will come because it’s so special,” Caven said.
Boyer said the Downtown Investment Authority has two commercial development parcels available for Riverfront Plaza.
“Those have not been designed. And as far as the restaurant site, we had committed previously in a resolution and did again today. As soon as the architect is selected, we’re going to have a community engagement meeting to talk about what the design of that riverfront restaurant should look like,” Caven said.
Caven hopes Jacksonville can be a place for her family to continue to enjoy for many years down the road.
“I’ve been here a long time. I want my children to live here. I want my grandchildren to live here. So I want the best Jacksonville it can be,” she said.
There will be an open house on Wednesday to discuss revitalizing Metropolitan Park at the Jacksonville Main Library.