JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the stadium agreement announced earlier this week, News4JAX is taking a look at construction happening downtown and along the riverfront.
There’s construction of the Four Seasons Hotel and a new office complex for the Jags right next to it.
These developments play an important part in the Shad Khan’s Shipyard development.
Our news partner, The Jacksonville Daily Record, is reporting plans for a new marina support building, an event lawn and improvements to the riverwalk.
This will tie into the plans Shad Khan’s investment group supplied to the city for approval.
Eventually, downtown will see some improvements to Metro Park, which has been ignored since the pavilion was removed and the riverfront docks neglected.
The museum district is also seeing improvements where the USS Orleck and the Fire Museum are located. More is planned once the Museum of Science and History (MOSH) finishes its fundraiser and moves to the Northbank.
Riverfront Plaza is seeing a lot of work, that’s where the Jacksonville Landing once stood. A new park, cafe, and playground are currently being built.
Local architect and gallery owner, Michael Dunlap, is watching the progress closely and is critical of the city’s involvement.
“There are world class folks involved. We just need to get the city to dial it back. Their involvement is not helpful. They make the deal then they mess with the deal. It’s a city of Jacksonville thing, its like we’re looking for the most mediocre scenario we can come up with. It’s a terrible Jacksonville trait, and we are hoping to move past that,” he said.
News4JAX reached out to the Downtown Investment Authority for comment, and have not heard back. The DIA has been spearheading these projects.
The city council has a committee looking into DIA’s efforts to see if the agency is actually getting development done in a timely manner.