Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/UCU-December-2024/i-SGJWCsC/0/MgzjZw6QGRTmrZpts8KdC7dBqxjZtNQwx5pB2xR8L/L/20241221_110911-L.jpg)
A brief look at the status of various developments under construction in and around Downtown Jacksonville.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/urban-construction-update-winter-2025/
QuoteDuring fall 2023, the Florida Department of Transportation began work on a $20.78 million project to rehabilitate Main Street (U.S. 17) north of Downtown Jacksonville. Affecting the neighborhoods of Springfield,
This work was done in Springfield YEARS ago. What is changing? It looks like the median is now just grass, which is a big downgrade IMO.
As usual, a good overview of what's going on.
A few questions.
#2 RISE Doro - Is there any current activity? Revised plans? Permitting? Anything?
#3 Riverfront Plaza - Perhaps you could update the report to show that the Independent Drive relocation is complete.
#28 Water Street - Nice picture, but what is going to happen here.
#30 The Local - Again, is there any current activity?
Quote from: vicupstate on January 02, 2025, 10:04:35 AM
QuoteDuring fall 2023, the Florida Department of Transportation began work on a $20.78 million project to rehabilitate Main Street (U.S. 17) north of Downtown Jacksonville. Affecting the neighborhoods of Springfield,
This work was done in Springfield YEARS ago. What is changing? It looks like the median is now just grass, which is a big downgrade IMO.
The work is on-going. Landscaping will be installed last.
A few updates to this -
1637 N. Main Street is a dead project. It's currently for sale in a bundled package with the Drew Mansion, also a dead project.
TerraWise Homes is renovating 36 West 6th Street into their new office, a new model home will be built on the vacant lot next door.
Karpeles Grand (formally Karpeles Manuscript Museum) at 101 West 1st Street is making good progress on its renovation, exterior and interior. It'll be an events space once complete.
No Bird, a new creative co-working space, just completed its renovation of 2078 N. Liberty Street, a former Union Hall. It's open for business.
Quote from: vicupstate on January 02, 2025, 10:04:35 AM
QuoteDuring fall 2023, the Florida Department of Transportation began work on a $20.78 million project to rehabilitate Main Street (U.S. 17) north of Downtown Jacksonville. Affecting the neighborhoods of Springfield,
This work was done in Springfield YEARS ago. What is changing? It looks like the median is now just grass, which is a big downgrade IMO.
The biggest change visually is the number of marked crosswalks that have been added along the corridor, as well as some extra median openings.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/UCU-December-2024/i-2xs8JsR/0/LvMKBjmn2KNWdrpLpmgLbCQGF545Kb3z9xw6CLd99/X2/20241230_124038-X2.jpg)
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 02, 2025, 11:21:57 AM
#2 RISE Doro - Is there any current activity? Revised plans? Permitting? Anything?
Construction is underway. I saw workers onsite on Monday and received confirmation from someone on the project that financing is in place and work has commenced.
The Local restaurant on Lomax appears to be dead. It's been over a year since anything has happened there.
Seems like a burst of restaurants for Downtown plus the private club. I wonder if Downtown is ready to support so many additions when so many existing ones seem to be, or have been, struggling lately. Hope for the best but thinking maybe the cart is coming before the horse.
To add, nationwide, restaurants are, in general, facing significant headwinds with inflationary impacts due to rising labor and food costs - more than most businesses - and consumers becoming more cautious about their spending. As a risky business in the best of times, it is not for the feint of heart, for sure.
I have no idea where someone is getting an ROI on spending $6+M to build out a new private club that size downtown. I hope it succeeds, but wow.
A few additions in Downtown:
Work is underway on Dorothy's Downtown in the old Burrito Gallery space
Daily work continues on Adams and Forsyth Streets to prepare for 2-waying
A "new" Asian concept will be replacing Super Food. Aiming for a January opening
Facade improvements are currently being conducted at 45 W Bay Street
$40 million exterior renovations at The Peninsula condo building are still ongoing
Most visible change to Downtown... CSX changing it's sign to digital (in progress). LOL.
Wells Fargo lost a lot of profile pulling down its sign.
Not always a big fan of signs on top of buildings (I feel it takes some dignity from the building's architecture) but it does wonders for marketing a company name. Interesting that most towers in NYC go without names on them (maybe because there are so many skyscrapers it would be hard to see the signs?). Jax seems to have more than its fair share.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on January 03, 2025, 12:30:01 AMInteresting that most towers in NYC go without names on them (maybe because there are so many skyscrapers it would be hard to see the signs?). Jax seems to have more than its fair share.
For NYC, codes are very strict on this. Even moreso when there is residential nearby, which is practically everywhere in the city. MetLife was grandfathered in. Salesforce took advantage of a loophole. And the other most prominent branded skyscraper (H&M) is in Times Square, which is exempt from the signage ordinances, by way of already being a big obnoxious billboard to begin with.
Seattle does not allow signage on their buildings, I believe.
This is correct. Only exception I know of is Hotels are allowed to have a small sign. I agree with the folks above that its better with no signs.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 03, 2025, 01:32:15 AM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on January 03, 2025, 12:30:01 AMInteresting that most towers in NYC go without names on them (maybe because there are so many skyscrapers it would be hard to see the signs?). Jax seems to have more than its fair share.
For NYC, codes are very strict on this. Even moreso when there is residential nearby, which is practically everywhere in the city. MetLife was grandfathered in. Salesforce took advantage of a loophole. And the other most prominent branded skyscraper (H&M) is in Times Square, which is exempt from the signage ordinances, by way of already being a big obnoxious billboard to begin with.
There is one other notable NYC exception: The RCA-GE-Comcast/NBC tower in Rockefeller Center. The MetLife building was originally signed by PanAm Airlines.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CI3W3LVUcAApK_N?format=jpg&name=900x900)
(https://thumbs.6sqft.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/16202939/pan-am-building-helipad.jpg?w=879&format=webp)
Was just driving down Riverside and it looks like site work might be imminent for Whole Foods.
Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?
Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)
I've got a question too.
The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
Quote from: Jagsdrew on January 09, 2025, 11:04:17 AM
Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?
Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)
I was wondering about Block Nine the other day. Is McCoys landing the apartment complex that was proposed at Myrtle and Dennis? I assumed that one was dead.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
From what i've heard, historically, being added to the 5 year CIP is strictly performative. Projects can be skipped by other projects and there's no guaranty that something in the 5 year CIP will be added to a budget in any year. I heard that for that reason, Mayor Deegan is doing away with the 5 year concept since it has no teeth.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on January 09, 2025, 11:04:17 AM
Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?
Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)
Last I heard, Lenox on Park was waiting for the Park Street improvement to be finished before anything moves forward.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
There is. Timeline depends on what exactly is going where the former American Lions tower was proposed. That half of the park's infrastructure was planned around a gigantic (improbable) tower, which some would argue may not even be the ideal fit for that space. Riverfront Parks Now, which I'm involved with, advocates for either a smaller mid-rise tower, if there's legit market interest, which wouldn't necessitate as much infrastructure work, or a small Brooklyn Hub-like development that would primarily engage/activate the pedestrian level. Changing X impacts Y, so it's complicated. But some changes may actually save time....
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
I've got a question too.
The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there's $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It's on target for its completion date.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 09, 2025, 09:58:20 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
From what i've heard, historically, being added to the 5 year CIP is strictly performative. Projects can be skipped by other projects and there's no guaranty that something in the 5 year CIP will be added to a budget in any year. I heard that for that reason, Mayor Deegan is doing away with the 5 year concept since it has no teeth.
Close. Previously there was a "Beyond Year 5" category in the CIP that was kind of a catchall for projects, and there was a tendency to add more projects than could be reasonably finished in a year, so stuff just kind of got stuck there. We've done away with that category, and now only add as many new projects to the CIP as got funded and pulled off that year. It's more realistic, and better for the city's credit too.
Quote from: Tacachale on January 10, 2025, 01:13:42 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
I've got a question too.
The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there's $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It's on target for its completion date.
FANTASTIC news.
Thanks for the update, Bill!
Awesome!
Quote from: Tacachale on January 10, 2025, 01:13:42 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
I've got a question too.
The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there's $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It's on target for its completion date.
Does this mean that Phase 2 will proceed even if nothing happens on the development pad in the northeast corner of Riverfront Plaza?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on January 10, 2025, 06:06:48 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 10, 2025, 01:13:42 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 09, 2025, 12:50:04 PM
I've got a question too.
The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.
Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?
There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?
Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there's $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It's on target for its completion date.
Does this mean that Phase 2 will proceed even if nothing happens on the development pad in the northeast corner of Riverfront Plaza?
That's my understanding, yes.
The city has issued permits for the Vystar Park right field building that is already half complete:
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/jan/13/city-permits-construction-of-115-million-right-field-building-at-vystar-park/
Looks like they are clearing the lot for the Whataburger at Cassat and College.
Quote from: acme54321 on January 13, 2025, 06:51:55 AM
The city has issued permits for the Vystar Park right field building that is already half complete:
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/jan/13/city-permits-construction-of-115-million-right-field-building-at-vystar-park/
This will also add an additional entry into the ballpark. Hopefully the city can figure out a way to add entrances to the arena too. It's a bottlenecked mess trying to get in for a popular event.
The arena got old real quick with that one entrance.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 14, 2025, 11:56:16 AM
The arena got old real quick with that one entrance.
I thought at one time you could also enter the Arena from the north side but maybe it was an exit only.
My biggest issue with the Arena is there is no handicap drop-off up against a building entrance. Forcing handicapped persons across the large entry plaza requires a driver to leave their car unattended in the street to assist a handicapped person to/from the inside of the building. If you are leaving and have to retrieve a car from blocks away, you have to leave a handicapped person unattended in the building lobby. The problem here is sometimes security wants to kick them out before you can return which puts them unprotected and vulnerable on the entry plaza. That is both insensitive in bad weather and a security risk.
How this doesn't violate ADA rules is beyond me.
I've entered the arena on the north/side entrance as recently as last Icemen season. Not sure if that is still permitted.
Drove by the Gateway Jax site today.
Looks like we've got some work underway already!
(https://snipboard.io/PbFi07.jpg)
(https://snipboard.io/8LAMoD.jpg)
Impressive! Side note: How do you post photos on this forum?
Quote from: Joey Mackey on January 16, 2025, 05:36:45 PM
Impressive! Side note: How do you post photos on this forum?
Crazy to see how different (in a good way) Gateway is.
No posturing, or dramatics, or insane asks.
Just confidently push through a reasonable incentive package, secure permits and approvals, and then just randomly get to work like it's no big deal.
Love it.
Joey, it's pretty easy. You just need to upload the photo to an online location and then use the photo link.
For example:
1) Go to https://postimages.org/
2) Hit "upload" and select the photo(s) you want to post
3) Copy the "direct link" url once uploaded
4) Hit the button above in the post options that looks like a photo frame, which will generate a set of image tags
5) Post your URL between the two image tags
From there, you're good to go!
It's exciting to see Gateway moving so quick. Kudos to them.
You know what's been bugging me. One Riverside. Another example of a building where they show some rending to get it approved then remove any bit of architecture that makes it even remotely unique. Does the city have any teeth to hold these developers to what they show when they are getting city incentives?
Quote from: acme54321 on January 16, 2025, 08:14:42 PM
You know what's been bugging me. One Riverside. Another example of a building where they show some rending to get it approved then remove any bit of architecture that makes it even remotely unique. Does the city have any teeth to hold these developers to what they show when they are getting city incentives?
This... and that they built almost up to the edge of the river in relation to its mass and height. No surprise. I protested this project from the beginning but many supported it for the sake of "development is good". The other riverfront projects being approved are likely to have the same outcome. Ugly is.... Jacksonville aesthetics.
I don't know all of the details - but COJ is/was the main culprit for the delay at One Riverside. Due to their connection with McCoy's Creek, they were forced to wait for the city to obtain SJWMD permits.
For example, One Riverside completed their SJWMD permit 6/30/22. COJ completed their SJWMD permit 2/25/24. The COJ permit was vital for the grocer & phase 2 of course. For reference, COJ didn't file materials until 8/2022 & the sitework permit there was approved September, 2022 (building plans were filed well in advance).
Considering the complexity of the deal & the massive parking garage being used for the entire site, I'm sure there was hesitancy to complete the MF component w/o the retail or phase 2 properly planned out. I observed a significant amount of less workers once the Phase 1 MF building was dry'd in - which they did pop up pretty quick.
I'm not talking about any of that. I'm talking about the apartments. The renderings has these big overhangs with angular supports that made it a little more interesting. Gone. Looks like a run of the mill complex you'd see on gate parkway. Meh.
I'm not a fan of it either & not defending it at all. I'm saying that I bet the apartments & other aspects of the site have been VE'd bc of the delay. They likely have accrued nearly a million dollars (or more) in additional interest expense bc of the city's permit & architectural features are (usually) the first to bit the bullet on a VE program.
The only delays at One Riverside I'm aware of was the retail, due to the work on the creek. That's all settled between the various interests and the creek work and retail phase are both moving forward. I do know the creek work is looking like it's on target for completion by the end of this year, which will be another (very complicated) Emerald Trail segment in the books.
Quote from: Tacachale on January 20, 2025, 12:23:24 AM
The only delays at One Riverside I'm aware of was the retail, due to the work on the creek. That's all settled between the various interests and the creek work and retail phase are both moving forward. I do know the creek work is looking like it's on target for completion by the end of this year, which will be another (very complicated) Emerald Trail segment in the books.
Right, that had to have impacted the cap table is my only point. The parking garage is intended to apply to the retail/grocer component also, which they certainly are not delivering as fast as anticipated, with the cost already outlaid.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 07, 2025, 01:01:50 PM
Was just driving down Riverside and it looks like site work might be imminent for Whole Foods.
False alarm.
Looks like it was actually being leveled for use as a temporary parking lot?
About 40 cars parked neatly there today.
More from Pearl Square today:
(https://i.postimg.cc/053NBVnX/IMG-0412.avif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Prwqs1FX/IMG-0415.avif)
(https://i.postimg.cc/t4G4X7Lh/IMG-0418.avif)
Coming up quick!
Quote from: Zac T on January 03, 2025, 12:16:21 AM
A "new" Asian concept will be replacing Super Food. Aiming for a January opening
Signs are up for Lily's, which should be open in the next couple of weeks. Includes a full bar and will be open until 2am