Downtown Development Update: What's rising, what's delayed

[jaxlongtimer]

Ken FSU, great article and concepts!  I brought up Bryant Park a long time ago on a post in another thread I believe (no easy way to search Jaxson posts so relying on a shaky memory  ).  Like so much of what Downtown could do, there are many successful models found around the US and the world.  I don't understand why it is so hard for Jax to copy and paste... no consultants needed.

[Zac T]

This would be a win. More traffic and family friendly. Only downside is if it requires a drive thru. But let's hope the word gets out.

Chick-fil-A testing downtown Jacksonville market with Bank of America tower pop-up

A national fast food brand is testing the market in downtown Jacksonville with a pop-up in one the city center's tallest towers.
For the week of July 6 to 10, Chick-fil-A Inc. is doing a pop-up inside Jax Tower located at 50 N. Laura St.
Cushman & Wakefield handles leasing for the tower.

"Bringing nationally-recognized brands downtown is an important part of creating a vibrant business district. This pop-up gives Chick-fil-A the opportunity to experience the market firsthand while demonstrating the demand for more dining options that serve downtown employees, residents and visitors," Sarah Teagle, senior associate at Cushman & Wakefiled said to the Business Journal via text. "The goal of the pop up is to test the market and evaluate the potential for a permanent location. Jax Tower is the perfect venue being in the heart of downtown's central business district."

They sold out twice today. If they proceed with a brick and mortar, I doubt it would be a stand alone location with a drive-thru which would only work on the State and Union corridor. Something similar to the CFA locations in Downtown Mobile or Birmingham come to mind. Considering the pop-up is in the BOA Tower, the old Akel's deli space on the corner is likely the leading candidate and would be a great location in the heart of the CBD

[Aristocles]

This would be a win. More traffic and family friendly. Only downside is if it requires a drive thru. But let's hope the word gets out.

Chick-fil-A testing downtown Jacksonville market with Bank of America tower pop-up

A national fast food brand is testing the market in downtown Jacksonville with a pop-up in one the city center's tallest towers.
For the week of July 6 to 10, Chick-fil-A Inc. is doing a pop-up inside Jax Tower located at 50 N. Laura St.
Cushman & Wakefield handles leasing for the tower.

"Bringing nationally-recognized brands downtown is an important part of creating a vibrant business district. This pop-up gives Chick-fil-A the opportunity to experience the market firsthand while demonstrating the demand for more dining options that serve downtown employees, residents and visitors," Sarah Teagle, senior associate at Cushman & Wakefiled said to the Business Journal via text. "The goal of the pop up is to test the market and evaluate the potential for a permanent location. Jax Tower is the perfect venue being in the heart of downtown's central business district."

They sold out twice today. If they proceed with a brick and mortar, I doubt it would be a stand alone location with a drive-thru which would only work on the State and Union corridor. Something similar to the CFA locations in Downtown Mobile or Birmingham come to mind. Considering the pop-up is in the BOA Tower, the old Akel's deli space on the corner is likely the leading candidate and would be a great location in the heart of the CBD

Before they did freestandings with drive thrus Chick Fil-A was a mainstay of mall food courts. I think they've got a downtown Jax with 10,000+ residents written all over them. And after CFA more chains will come, leasing space.

[thelakelander]

Is there still a CFA in Baptist on the Southbank?

[jaxlongtimer]

Downtown losing one of its champions.  If it is on the cusp of great things, seems the timing is unusual, especially with no mention of next plans.  Is DVI all that relevant presently to Downtown's future?  It also notes the impending vote on property taxes which I gather could impact taxing districts like DVI's Downtown?

Downtown Vision Inc. CEO Jake Gordon stepping down
After 11 years at the nonprofit, he departs Sept. 30 with COO Eric Miller stepping in as interim CEO.

The head of Downtown Vision Inc. is leaving the organization.

On July 7, CEO Jake Gordon said he would step down effective Sept. 30 after 11 years leading the nonprofit that supports Downtown Jacksonville.

In a phone interview, Gordon described his departure as part of a "natural process."

"I've kind of lived my job, and I think it's the right time right now for me to step away and for the organization to get some fresh perspective and do a lot of planning and discussing about the future and what's happening with Downtown," he said. "I think that's a natural process. I have been telling a couple people, I am very proud of the progress we made. We really worked hard over the last 11 years and did a lot of amazing things, but at some point it's always the right time to step away, right?"

Gordon said DVI Chief Operating Officer Eric Miller would step in as interim CEO beginning Oct. 1. The board has not decided on a process to find a long-term successor, he said.

Gordon said that during his time at DVI, the organization has grown from a budget of about $1 million to about $5 million. In 2021, Jacksonville City Council expanded DVI's district from 0.5 square mile to 1.3 square miles, a 160% increase in territory.

His departure comes amid discussion of again expanding DVI's district as far west as LaVilla, to include the site of the University of Florida graduate campus, and as far east as the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences under construction in the Shipyards area.

Asked if the proposed expansion factored into his decision to step down, he said the organization's evolution helped lead him to believe it was time for a change.

"You can't do this job halfway, and I do think the organization is going to expand," he said. "I think we have a phenomenal team and we've grown a ton, and I just think, for me personally, it's just my time. I personally see it as a positive and I'm excited to watch the organization grow."

Gordon's departure will come weeks before a statewide vote in November on whether to increase Florida's homestead exemption on property taxes. Council auditors say the increase would reduce the city's tax revenue by more than $300 million by fiscal year 2029. Downtown advocates, including Mayor Donna Deegan, say passage of the constitutional amendment would cripple the city's ability to incentivize Downtown redevelopment.

"I think that's unfortunate, and we see a lot of people talking about it," Gordon said.

Gordon said that when he arrived in Jacksonville, Downtown and the community at large were still dealing with effects of the 2008 recession.

"There was almost no interest in Downtown development generally," he said. "When people found out that I kind of moved here for love — because my wife is from Gainesville and she wanted to move to Florida — they were, like, 'Oh, that makes more sense now.' It's funny, because I don't think it was a time when there were a lot of people relocating to Jacksonville."

Looking back on Downtown development since then, Gordon pointed to a number of projects and events that have been established. Among them are the Riverfront Plaza park on the site of the demolished Jacksonville Landing, the UF campus project, the Sip & Stroll event series on the Southbank Riverwalk and the discontinued Jax River Jams concert series.

"I really do think Downtown Vision is in a better place, and Downtown Jacksonville is in a better place" than it was in 2015, he said. "I believe in leaving a place better than you found it, and I really think we did that with the organization and also with Downtown."

Gordon has been a visible leader of DVI, appearing at Downtown events, speaking at Council meetings and representing Jacksonville at conferences in other cities.

He is known partly for his style of dress, which includes sneakers with suit jackets.

The announcement of his departure is the second significant personnel change for DVI and its 13-member staff in recent months. In April, Laura Phillips Edgecombe joined the organization as vice president of urban systems.

Edgecombe's previous roles included principal for Downtown open spaces at the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and co-founder of Build Up Downtown. She is the immediate past president of the JAX Chamber Downtown Council board and a member of The Florida Theatre's board.

Hired in 2015 after a national search, Gordon came to Jacksonville after serving in economic development roles in New Jersey. Before that, he was an associate attorney for the O'Melveny & Myers LLP law firm in Los Angeles.

At DVI, he oversaw an organization that promotes and advocates politically for Downtown while also facilitating events, producing research and providing maintenance, beautification, security and hospitality through its Downtown Ambassador program.

DVI is funded primarily by Downtown property owners through a property tax self-assessment. Established by City Council in 2000, DVI is a 501(c)6 nonprofit business association and a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Gordon said he had not determined his next step beyond DVI.

"I knew it was the right time for me right now, but there's a little bit of bittersweetness that I can't be around for all this stuff," he said, referring to openings of projects on the horizon. "I think I'm going to really appreciate seeing it every time a big project opens Downtown. It's just so great to see."

He said he viewed his departure "like a baton I'm passing off to the next person that's going to take it to the next level up."

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/jul/07/downtown-vision-inc-ceo-jake-gordon-stepping-down/

[fsu813]

And after CFA more chains will come, leasing space.

Eventually, if things break right, we could be worthy of a Jersey Mikes. Goals.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jersey-mikes-dethrones-chick-fil-a-americas-favorite-fast-food-chain-new-ranking.amp

[fsu813]

Is there still a CFA in Baptist on the Southbank?

I believe so.

[soepic]

2. Change zoning to require near continuous retail/interaction along street level facings.
3. Have robust inner city mass transit that connects with surrounding urban neighborhoods and makes it easy to move about Downtown.

As a downtown resident, these are my two biggest needs! It would help alot to have resturants and stores (Honestly more nationwide brand options) that are open on the weekends and past 2pm during the week. It's nice for the workers, but I would like to come home after work and be able to grab something to eat that is not a pizza or cookies after 3pm. Also, eventhough I walk to the surrounding neighborhoods like Riverside and San Marco (To go to the places that are actually open with regular hours), it would be great to just hop on something that would allow me to shop and not be concerned with how to carry my groceries over bridges or riverwalks. Weren't they suppose to open the station for the Skyway in Riverside?

[acme54321]

Is there still a CFA in Baptist on the Southbank?

I believe so.

That location closed like 5 years ago and was replaced by Firehouse Subs.

[thelakelander]

And after CFA more chains will come, leasing space.

Eventually, if things break right, we could be worthy of a Jersey Mikes. Goals.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/jersey-mikes-dethrones-chick-fil-a-americas-favorite-fast-food-chain-new-ranking.amp

We have one in Brooklyn now!

[thelakelander]

2. Change zoning to require near continuous retail/interaction along street level facings.
3. Have robust inner city mass transit that connects with surrounding urban neighborhoods and makes it easy to move about Downtown.

As a downtown resident, these are my two biggest needs! It would help alot to have resturants and stores (Honestly more nationwide brand options) that are open on the weekends and past 2pm during the week. It's nice for the workers, but I would like to come home after work and be able to grab something to eat that is not a pizza or cookies after 3pm. Also, eventhough I walk to the surrounding neighborhoods like Riverside and San Marco (To go to the places that are actually open with regular hours), it would be great to just hop on something that would allow me to shop and not be concerned with how to carry my groceries over bridges or riverwalks. Weren't they suppose to open the station for the Skyway in Riverside?

Yes but then JTA went in head over heels with trying to force NAVI onto everyone and abandoned that Skyway expansion plan.

[Des]

Ten years ago, I was in Bill Killingsworth's office, a train went by, and I said, "Nice, that's a great view. Too bad the skyway is pretty useless." He then told us a story about how there were plans to expand the skyway into Arlington along Union St, as well as a Springfield expansion, back in the day. However, First Baptist Church sued the city because they didn't want the city to build more tracks next to their building, and the expansion plans were dropped. I've never found any information to corroborate that, though. But Bill is a pretty knowledgeable guy, and I don't see why he would make that up.

[Steve]

The Springfield one I've heard before. Arlington seems like a stretch as how are you crossing the river?

[thelakelander]

We have the old maps. It wasn't going to Arlington. There were two lines. One running from Riverside to the stadium. The other was proposed from UF Health Jax, paralleling Hogans Creek in Hansontown, to San Marco.

[JaGoaT]

So it's safe to say that First Baptist has stifled much of DT Jax growth?