St John’s River Park Playground and Friendship Fountain

The City re-opened the renovated Friendship Fountain in February 2024 with a waterfall wall and nightly choreographed light shows. St John’s River Park Playground is officially open and includes themes around “Exploring the St. Johns River.” The space features a history-themed play Ship, “La Trinité,” restrooms, a wedding venue, picnic areas, and interpretive gardens to help tell the story of the city’s founding and the American Heritage River at the heart of our city.

Status: Recently Completed

Emerald Trail LaVilla Link

The first phase of the Emerald Trail is the 1.3-mile LaVilla Link which officially opened on May 6, 2024.

Construction of the project, connecting Brooklyn to LaVilla and the S-Line Rail Link—began in September 2021. The estimated project cost is $8.9 million. Baptist Health is the lead investor in the LaVilla Link.

A 14-foot-wide concrete pedestrian/bicycle trail is designed for both active and passive recreation with abundant shade trees and native plantings. It features several signature points of interest where users can pause and reflect.

In addition, the Trail honors the LaVilla neighborhood through wayfinding, storyboards and public art installations while connecting to the historic landmarks, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park and Florida C. Dwight Memorial Playground (Park).

Beginning the journey at Stonewall Street in Brooklyn, the LaVilla Link crosses over the Park Street bridge. The two northbound lanes were repurposed for the Emerald Trail to allow for active recreation and plantings including a bioswale to filter stormwater runoff. The Emerald Trail also took over the existing elevated walkway to create a pedestrian path separated from runners and cyclists.

Atop the span, glass panels and an elevated concrete seating structure offer a unique view of McCoys Creek and the railroad tracks. A shade structure is planned for later this year. The Park Street Overlook is supported by a gift from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

A road diet along Lee Street from Water to Houston Street slows traffic and creates a tree-lined canopy along the Emerald Trail. Planted beds along the trail provide separation from vehicle traffic and will create shade as the trees mature.

Continuing north on Lee Street, the trail connects to the new Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park, expected to open in late June. The Park will honor two of Jacksonville’s most famous residents, James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. The Johnson brothers wrote “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” often called the Black National Anthem, at their home in the LaVilla neighborhood in the early 1900s.

Just beyond the park, between Monroe and Duval streets, is the LaVilla Pond. This was an existing retention pond reimagined with a boardwalk made from recycled materials, and a seating platform with swings. A variety of aquatic/wetland plants and grasses were planted along the bank to create a living shoreline that will help to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and provide habitat for birds, fish and pollinators. The LaVilla Pond overlook is supported by a gift from David and Monique Miller.

As the trail heads west along Church Street a butterfly garden sponsored by the Late Bloomers Garden Club adds beauty and food for pollinators.

At Eaverson Street the trail connects to the Florida C. Dwight Memorial Playground which the City Parks Department upgraded in preparation for the trail, and includes new playground equipment, a basketball court and a skateboard ramp. The site also features a rain garden, with water-loving native plants that will capture, clean and absorb stormwater runoff and filter pollutants. The environmental feature is supported by a gift from the Pajcic family.

At its northern end, the LaVilla Link connects to the existing S-line Rail Trail at State Street. This area has great potential for future activation. The property owner has exciting plans for the large warehouses, one dating back to the late 1800s. His vision for the 500,000-square-foot property includes creating a center for commercial, performing and visual arts with retail shops, dining and an outdoor event space, similar to King Plow Arts Center in Atlanta.

The Cady Club

Opening Spring 2025, The Cady Club will offer a cafe and event space. The 9,300-square-foot, two-story structure, first known as the Cady Building, was built in 1930. A lounge will serve coffee and snacks in addition to beer and wine, and compliment second- and first-floor event spaces.

The DIA approved a $96,427 Retail Enhancement Grant toward the approximately $400,000 build-out in Nov. 2023.

Hardwicks

Located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, Hardwick’s Bar is a vibrant and welcoming LGBTQIA+ bar that celebrates diversity and fosters genuine connections. This inclusive, contemporary haven features a stylish atmosphere, eclectic music, and various events catering to the community’s unique interests. Step into Hardwick’s and immerse yourself in a space where authenticity, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories thrive.

Wolfson Children’s Critical Care Tower

DPR Construction & Perry-McCall Construction completed the seven-story 250,000 square feet critical care tower that serves as the “new front door” to both Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Medical Center and offers 75 new neonatal intensive care beds and 26 pediatric intensive care beds.

Investment: $187 million
Status: Completed

VyStar Parking Garage

Danis Construction built an 807-space parking garage adjacent to the VyStar campus with 13,169 SF of ground-floor office and retail space, including the new Jacksonville Children’s Chorus headquarters and announced Pour Tap Room.

Designed by Dasher Hurst Architects, the project was built by Danis Construction.

Investment: $22 million
Status: Completed

USS Orleck

The Orleck (DD 886) museum ship will feature a US Navy Cold War experience managed and programmed by the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association (JHNSA).

Programming may include general museum visits/tours, scout troops/youth group sleepovers, conventions/reunions, school groups, etc. Project includes a temporary and mobile upland building which will house gift shop, admin offices and restrooms.

Please contact Nadia to discuss your next event via email events@jaxnavalmuseum.org or use our contact form to request more information.

Union Terminal Warehouse

Plans for the $64.3 million project includes a minimum of 228 workforce and market-rate apartments and 36,000 square feet of makerspace and 4,000 sq ft of retail space. Development by Columbia Ventures.

In September 2024, Vantage Point Coffee signed a lease with UTW as its first tenant. Vantage Point will be located in lobby of UTW. Set to open at the end of 2024, the coffee shop will not have a kitchen but will offer grab-and-go items like muffins, bagel sandwiches, and danishes.

Expected Completion: 2025

The Southerly

At Southerly at Southbank, our residents will find all that they need for a life of luxury and ease. Within each of our studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom homes and throughout our community, our Jacksonville luxury apartments are sure to accommodate every lifestyle. Each home includes upscale amenities like gourmet kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, and smart home technology while our community features unique spaces like a resort-style swimming pool, game room, and a fitness center. No matter what our residents are searching for, it can be found at our new apartments in Downtown Jacksonville, FL.

Northbank Floating Dock

This project includes a new floating dock at Riverfront Plaza (FKA The Landing) completed in 2021 as well as a new floating dock at the Jacksonville Performing Arts Center, which will be installed following completion of the Performing Arts Center bulkhead project.