The Southbank Riverwalk

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Southbank Riverwalk



The Jake Godbold administration labeled the 1980’s as 'The Billion Dollar Decade' for downtown redevelopment.  One of the major projects planned and constructed during this era was the Southbank Riverwalk, which opened in 1985.  

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/799

[Coolyfett]

Interesting....Jax sure had some big thoughts back in 85. I always say Godbold was one of the best Jax had. Him and Delaney had vision IMO.

Lake you be digging your butt off man....Some of those spots I have never seen before. And ive been on that SouthBank walk many times...lol

[heights unknown]

Yeah, "Jake the Snake" was good back then, but ah, what could have been!  You don't do a job halfway and leave it, you finish it.  I am not dissing Jake cause I liked him too (and his "good ole boys gang" back then), but he did let some things slip through the crack, that is, starting them and not seeing them through to completion.

Heights Unknown
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[Pavers]

Any idea what's up with the Amredo's cafe that's purportedly to open in the shops by the Wyndham?  That sign has been up for several months now.

[thelakelander]

I'm not sure.  The sign looked to be pretty dated, but the interior work looked recent.  I know the hotel had kicked all the tenants out a few years back because they wanted to tear everything down for their failed condo project (San Marco Village).  I wish they would go ahead and re-lease them, because those condos won't be coming anytime soon.

[I-10east]

Great tour Lake.

I have a feeling that if the entire Southside Riverwalk plan was built, it would've been just another thing that's overlooked and taken for granted in this city. Look at the Landing in 87'; that was supposed to be the "end all be all" to of Jax's downtown's problems, and IMO it was a far more substanial project than the entire Southbank riverwalk; Now outside of special events every blue moon, the Landing is basically forgotten. The aquarium would've been interesting, but any failure to expand likely could've cause people to be disinterested. As far as I'm concerned DT Jax already have plenty of lawns, seating etc at Metro Park. As for the additional restaurants, Crawdaddy's closed so no telling if they would've been around. Just my two cents.       

[JeffreyS]

 ^Saturday afternoon I went for a boat ride from Ortega though downtown gawking at all of the new buildings. We stopped for Ice cream at the landing and it was very busy.

[I-10east]

^^That sounds like a fun and relaxing afternoon. Was a special event being held at the Landing?

[Charleston native]

Seeing those pictures just gives me warm memories of when my family and I first toured downtown Jax around '89. I was a freshman in high school, and I remember thinking how scenic and fun it was on the Landing and Southbank. Arrrgghh!! Stuff like that makes me WANT to live there. I'm tired of being in landlocked Cola!!

[vicupstate]

Well, in '89 the Southbank Riverwalk was fresh and new, as was the Landing.  Unfortunately both are in need of a MAJOR remodel/renovation/freshening up.   Not likely to happen soon though.  You can add Friendship Fpuntain to that list too. 

[Charleston native]

Vic, they probably need refurbishment and renovation, but from the photos, I have to say that the area is still a great asset. It looks in pretty good shape. Maybe you have some pretty high standards? Hey, that's a good thing, though! If it needs to be renovated to set a high standard of a quality downtown area, I'm all for it.

[jeh1980]

I think that the Riverwalk could sure use a nice coat of Thompson's Water Seal right about now ! The Riverwalk is still a great way to see the downtown's Northbank, though.

[thelakelander]

Here's an image of the western portion of the original Southbank Riverwalk plan.  As mentioned in the article, many focal points like the aquarium, Under-the-Bridge Cafe and the Great Lawn were never built. 

[copperfiend]

An aquarium makes too much sense for Jacksonville.

[Charleston native]

Does anybody think that in the future, some city leaders might step up and "finish" these original plans? Or is it too late to think optimistically for that?