Development Status: Approved

This project includes the development of a 325-unit, multi-family property located on the riverfront of Downtown’s Southbank. The development will boast multiple amenities and mixed-use components including two rooftop lounges for residents, a restaurant open to the public and a ship’s store to serve the boat ramp and marina. 20 out of 29 the marina slips will be made available for public transient use, with ten limited to four-hour use and ten made available for 48-hour use. The nine remaining slips will be used at the discretion of marina management, and the option to rebuild additional dockage will remain open.

This property was originally constructed in 1909 following the Great Fire of 1901 and is considered one of the most historic properties in downtown Jacksonville for its contribution to the resurgence of the city following the fire, as well as its architecture and continuing structural integrity.

This project includes the use of DIA’s Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program (DPRP) to bring the property back to more historic standards and other improvements needed to preserve and maintain the integrity of the structure for their continuing operating needs. Improvements begin with window replacement and exterior renovations to better seal the historic structure against weather and elements using techniques approved by the Secretary of the Interior that meet established rehabilitation standards. Future phases will focus on other needs related to Code Compliance requirements to make the property more accessible and functional as part of its growth strategy in the Jacksonville market.

The project is designed on 3.4 acres at Adams, Johnson, Lee and Forsyth streets in the historic Downtown neighborhood.

Johnson Commons, LLC has committed to the construction of a for-sale townhome residential community consisting of a minimum of 91 townhomes in Phase 1. All units will be offered as individual for sale product, adding to the diversity of residential options in the community. The Townhome units proposed by Johnson Commons will be three story (approximately 1400 square feet average) each with a one car garage. All 91 townhome units will be developed in single phase.

In deference to the historic architecture and heritage of La Villa, the townhomes will be frame construction, approximate 18’ widths with gable roofs and patios to emulate the feel of a second story porch. Peaked or gable roofs will differentiate units in a nod to shotgun style on all Townhome product. Units adjacent to new street will face park.

Phase 2 of the development, fronting Lee and Forsyth Street will consist of a minimum of 10,000 square feet of stand -alone retail or a mixed-use product of multi-family residential and retail that includes a minimum of 10,000 square feet of retail on first floor. Vertical construction on Phase 2 will be commenced within 7 years of closing or property will revert. In the interim, this portion of the site will be developed as green space accessible to the adjacent Emerald Trail and maintained by the Developer. Future retail and or mixed use will face trail.

The Developer to has offered to make cash contribution to be used toward development of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing park in the amount of $150,000, payable at closing.

The City is reviewing plans for a 176-room Four Seasons hotel with 25 residences, a 16,000 SF class A office tower and City-owned marina. Plans include a $4 million investment to Metropolitan Park. 

Investment $301,233,000 

Previously envisioned by the City of Jacksonville within the proposal for the 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Hogan Street Cycle Track provides a missing connection between the Hogan Creek Greenway trail and the Northbank Riverwalk. The proposed trail begins on the northern end at Hogans Creek and interacts with the Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) campus as a shared-use street. The Hogan Street segment within Downtown will become cycle track along the west side of Hogan Street adjacent to the pedestrian sidewalk. The one-way roadway of Hogan Street will be modified to remove one of the two travel lanes. This proposed roadway modification and d cycle track design is proposed from W. State Street south to Bay Street. The suggested design standard of the cycle track is to create a safe and inviting pedestrian and bicycle dominated corridor.

The final block from Water Street to the Northbank Riverwalk will have the cycle track and pedestrian area transition into a shared-use side path.

This Emerald Trail segment is the Artist Walk linear park space under the Fuller Warren Bridge from the St. Johns River across Riverside Avenue, Park Street, and College Street, ending at Riverside Park.  The Artist Walk will include a public skate park, a multi-use trail connection, parking, pedestrian corridors, landscaping and other park amenities. It will support the Riverside Arts Market, which has been open between the river and Riverside Avenue since 2009, and a much needed public space for the COJ.

In 2015, the City of Jacksonville adopted a revised Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) plan for the Northbank of Downtown, which includes a specific project for the reintroduction of two-way street systems within the Northbank. Subsequent Mobility Plan Updates and other transportation projects have consistently carried forward this directive and funds have been set aside within the CRA to begin implementation. The return to two way streets and resulting slower speeds are shown to stimulate economic growth and increase property values; facilitate more efficient use of on-street parking and ride share; enhance retail visibility and promote retail occupancy rates and success; improve walkability and increase pedestrian safety and pedestrian activity on the sidewalk; and increase residential demand and perceived quality of life for residents.

Forsyth Street and Adams Street are both identified as streets prioritized within the CRA Plan for two-way conversion. Segments of both streets lie within DIA’s targeted dining districts and their conversion to two-way streets complements other public and private redevelopment efforts.

The design phase of this project is underway.