JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It will be several days before the public learns about the stadium deal that the city and the Jacksonville Jaguars reached on Wednesday. But the design process for Shipyards West is about 60% complete and steadily moving forward.
The project’s design team held an open house to give the people a chance to view renderings and give their input.
Gina Ford, principal and co-founder of Agency Landscape and Planning, the project’s lead design firm, said Jacksonville is going through a Riverfront Renaissance.
“Every park that’s being designed has a different purpose and function for the community. Shipyards West is really great water access. We have a kayak launch. We have the Orleck, so we have a lot of uses that really celebrate the maritime history here in Jacksonville that feels really important,” Ford said.
People shared their opinions on the developments and wrote their feedback on sticky notes.
James Hammond is a lifelong Jacksonville resident and a member of Aqua Jax, which is an organization working to make Jacksonville a more desirable location.
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One project the organization would like to see is the addition of an aquarium.
“Well, all of these are the parts, pieces of the puzzle that’s going to make downtown Jacksonville more alive and vibrant. bring more people into downtown. Bring more people off of I 95, the visitors coming into Florida,” Hammond said. “We think they need to stop here in Jacksonville. So we need projects like this and others that are going to make Jacksonville a destination and not a pass-through.”
Ford explained the next steps in the process.
“What we’re really hoping to hear from the community today that it’s on the right track, and to give us feedback about if the elements and amenities are right. And then if that’s the case that everyone feels supportive, we’ll move from 60 to 100% drawings by the end of this year. So that would get us ready for basically bidding and construction,” Ford said.
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Martha Barrett, who served as an aide to former Jacksonville Mayor Jake Godbold, described the developments as wonderful.
“Trees, park, the park space for all the people. That’s what Mayor Godbold wanted. And this is just very exciting, that we’re not building huge buildings but keeping it lovely for the citizens of Jacksonville,” she said.
“This city is so underappreciated and people don’t realize it’s a gem. So I’m hoping it just brings more, I don’t even want to say tourists. I just want appreciation for the city,” Addie Jones said.
As for the stadium deal, Hammond said anything that will make Jacksonville a destination is a positive.
“Hopefully it’s a deal that works for the Jaguars organization and the taxpayers of Jacksonville alike,” Hammond said.
The team hopes designs will be finalized by the end of the year.
To learn more about the project or view renderings, click here.