COJ and the DIA are
cooking.
Maybe my favorite bit of news of the quarter right here.
Each of the major parks needs something like this, and this one is perfect for the space. Love how it has overlooks of both the river and the fountain, I think the casual, open-air concept with grab & go vs. stuffy fine dining is SPOT ON, and it's just exactly what is needed to complete a space that has already sneakily become one of the very best public spaces in the entire city.
And I love how the park (and hopefully the Related development) will generate revenue that will stay within the park for maintenance and programming to make it semi self-sustainable.
I'm super curious as to how the city will vet vendors for the Friendship Park restaurant, the Riverfront Plaza cafe, etc. I think the Chicago Riverwalk is a great example of a city doing this well. There's a common vendor handbook (https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/sites/chicago-riverwalk/pdfs/Riverwalk-Concession-Handbook.pdf), universal rules for operations, a formal RFP process, and a low base rent + percentage of sales model that attracts and protects great restaurants and vendors while incentivizing both sides to be good partners and maximize profits. Would almost treat the spaces like the airport, and focus on finding awesome local partners (e.g. Southern Grounds/Bold Bean, Mayday/Dreamette, Intuition/Manifest for the Beer Garden, etc) that you could work with at a discount on a long-term lease so everyone is invested, versus chasing the highest lease and risking the spots fizzling out.
Details here:
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QDarb.KVkmcR9x7F42zxtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE4MTg7aD0xMDM4O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/3e6339b2851ac789a7c82411f17a6196)
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1Ag_1H54q1dRMr8v4PVESw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTE5NTg7aD0xMTA0O2NmPXdlYnA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/cf5252cdd206897645097dba6c62f9bc)
(https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jd3ArxkxSv7k_iJXMjTQnw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUyNTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/f60ff3d0c184b9c8a4e75bb14929eda0)
QuoteConstruction coming in 2026 of restaurant next to Friendship Fountain
Jacksonville is moving forward with plans to build a new restaurant in St. Johns River Park next to Friendship Fountain using a design by CD+Urban Studio.
The architectural firm showed the last renderings for the chosen design during a Dec. 11 meeting of the Downtown Development Review Board.
The restaurant will return riverfront dining to an area that lost that feature when River City Brewing Company closed in 2021. The Related Group demolished that restaurant building to make way for a planned residential high-rise tower.
When will construction start?
The city expects to start construction of the restaurant building in early to mid-2026. The city will own the building and lease it to a private restaurant operator.
What will the restaurant serve?
The city's description of the project says public feedback has been for a "casual, open-air concept" that is welcoming to families and pet-friendly. Rather than fine dining with enclosed seating, the focus will be full-service dining with grab-and-go options, according to a city summary.
The building will have a rooftop bar and lounge.
What inspired the design features of the restaurant buildings?
The design drew from the existing pump house at the park, the St. Johns River, thecity's maritime history, mid-century architecture and the work of Bob Broward, Taylor Hardwick and William Morgan on buildings throughout Jacksonville. Hardwick designed Friendship Fountain.
"We designed a building that looks to complete the pattern of the park," said Joe Cronk of Cronk Duch Architecture and CD+Urban Studio.
How big will the restaurant be?
The two-story building will will have indoor and outdoor dining on both floors. The first floor will be 2,400 square feet of air-conditioned space plus 1,000 square feet of outdoor dining. The second floor with the rooftop will feature 1,500 square feet of "open to sky dining" plus 500 square feet of covered dining, according to the presentation.
Where will the restaurant be located?
The restaurant will be next for Friendship Fountain in St. Johns River Park, which recently opened a new playground next to the Main Street bridge.
The restaurant will be about 60 feet from the St. Johns River so it leave some open space along the riverfront while still being close enough to provide views of the river while dining.
When the Related Group builds its high-rise apartment, the tower will be next to the new restaurant on the opposite side of Friendship Fountain.
How is the city paying for the restaurant?
The Downtown Investment Authority is using its tax increment financing district to set aside $3.25 million for construction of the building. The city meanwhile has put nearly $5.2 million for construction of St. Johns River Park improvements.
The city says revenue from leasing the building to a restaurant operator will go toward maintaining the building and also support upkeep of St. Johns River Park.
Story: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/construction-coming-2026-restaurant-next-152953033.html
So is that whole flower garden thing they were going to build there out?
Quote from: acme54321 on December 13, 2025, 08:07:51 AM
So is that whole flower garden thing they were going to build there out?
I *believe* they're in different spots. The restaurant closer to the pump house, the garden a little more recess back in the west riverfront corner. Work at the park is still active and ongoing.
The piece I'm really curious about is the fountain projection show that was talked about for a few years. I remember seeing a preview in some random city meeting a few years ago and it was pretty incredible. Essentially involved created a "screen" of mist in the fountain and projecting video on it. Would love to see that added eventually.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on December 13, 2025, 11:43:27 AM
The piece I'm really curious about is the fountain projection show that was talked about for a few years. I remember seeing a preview in some random city meeting a few years ago and it was pretty incredible. Essentially involved created a "screen" of mist in the fountain and projecting video on it. Would love to see that added eventually.
FYI, the 3-D set up with laser projections on screens of water was perfected at Sea World decades ago. I recall seeing it over their lake tied to a themed James Bond-type ski and boat chase show at night with the addition of coordinated music, pyrotechnics and fireworks. Was a great show that rivaled ones at the Disney parks. Jax should take notes with the river adjacent for ski and boat shows here.
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/february-groundbreaking-planned-high-rise-river-city-brewing-company/77-25601b98-377b-4044-a9df-057d7165a1f4?tbref=hp
High rise will break ground in February
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on December 15, 2025, 06:42:51 AM
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/february-groundbreaking-planned-high-rise-river-city-brewing-company/77-25601b98-377b-4044-a9df-057d7165a1f4?tbref=hp
High rise will break ground in February
I saw this!! Let's hope they stay on track, actually break ground, and get it to the finish line!! If it does happen, this will be a big change (long overdue) for the downtown skyline
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on December 15, 2025, 06:42:51 AM
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/february-groundbreaking-planned-high-rise-river-city-brewing-company/77-25601b98-377b-4044-a9df-057d7165a1f4?tbref=hp
High rise will break ground in February
Downtown Jax is slowly on the rise.......it's about damn time; something tells me there's more to come, residential wise, bigger and in the future taller. Awesome news.
I think 2028 is the finishline year.
I think when you see River's Edge apartments, condos, hotel come out of ground that will be really exciting moment. We definitely are looking at somewhere around 2028 when you really start to see the Riverfront be basically unrecognizable. Unfortunately, I feel like MOSH being open in 2028 seems unlikely.
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on December 15, 2025, 06:42:51 AMhttps://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/february-groundbreaking-planned-high-rise-river-city-brewing-company/77-25601b98-377b-4044-a9df-057d7165a1f4?tbref=hp
High rise will break ground in February
I typically run downtown a few nights a week and they readjusted the perimeter construction fencing now so it looks like they are getting prepared to break ground soon. Used to be able to park in a paved lot between the fountain and boat ramp. That is now closed off.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on May 14, 2026, 01:11:12 PMQuote from: jcjohnpaint on December 15, 2025, 06:42:51 AMhttps://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/february-groundbreaking-planned-high-rise-river-city-brewing-company/77-25601b98-377b-4044-a9df-057d7165a1f4?tbref=hp
High rise will break ground in February
I typically run downtown a few nights a week and they readjusted the perimeter construction fencing now so it looks like they are getting prepared to break ground soon. Used to be able to park in a paved lot between the fountain and boat ramp. That is now closed off.
It looks like they're starting site work out there. There was heavy equipment sitting out there yesterday. This is for the related apartments though not the restaurant this post is about. Curious as to when they will shut down the boat ramp.
Groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for May 20th
https://www.aol.com/news/related-group-ready-start-building-135811993.html
Its good to see them finally get started. Nothing wrong with another tower in the skyline. Its been decades, so DT is long overdue.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 15, 2026, 05:25:13 PMIt's good to see them finally get started. Nothing wrong with another tower in the skyline.
I'm less enthused ;D
I'm all for development, and I realize I'm probably in the minority with this opinion, but not a fan of this project as it stands.
To me, I think it's the least defensible downtown incentive package I've seen since moving to Jacksonville 18 years ago. $60 million in incentives for ultra luxury apartments, with $3k to $8k monthly rents, unattainable to the average Jacksonville citizen.
The $38 million cash completion grant from the general fund is the equivalent of every household in Jacksonville writing Related a check for $100 to subsidize housing for the wealthy, at a time that every dollar we put into affordable housing and social services as a city is scrutinized to death and carved down to nothing. Even on paper, the convenient assumptions and mental gymnastics necessary to even get to a $1.13 ROI requires a 30 year calculation that will make your head spin.
When so many people are struggling to even put food on the table or gas in their cars at 3.8% inflation, negative wage growth, and 5% local unemployment, our taxpayer dollars should be going towards more equitable uses than high-end finishes for C-suite transplants. With the completion grant, it is not imaginary TIF funding. It is literally drawing from the paychecks of the city's working class to build housing for the 5%'ers that are already riding the benefits of K-shaped recovery while everyone else is getting squeezed.
I think it's as bad of a look as taking gas tax dollars from struggling families and ramming them into a vanity transit project that benefits no one and barely works. Our leaders' (and to be clear, both deals predated current leadership) ultimate responsibility is to look out for the populace and responsibly steward the hard-earned dollars we take from them.
If the intent of this massive package for the tower is to stimulate property taxes on the Southbank, I hope this is the last ask from Related for this area. There's no universe where we should allow them to double-dip on incentives if they take over the MOSH site.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 15, 2026, 10:50:52 PMQuote from: thelakelander on May 15, 2026, 05:25:13 PMIt's good to see them finally get started. Nothing wrong with another tower in the skyline.
I'm less enthused ;D
I'm all for development, and I realize I'm probably in the minority with this opinion, but not a fan of this project as it stands.
To me, I think it's the least defensible downtown incentive package I've seen since moving to Jacksonville 18 years ago. $60 million in incentives for ultra luxury apartments, with $3k to $8k monthly rents, unattainable to the average Jacksonville citizen.
The $38 million cash completion grant from the general fund is the equivalent of every household in Jacksonville writing Related a check for $100 to subsidize housing for the wealthy, at a time that every dollar we put into affordable housing and social services as a city is scrutinized to death and carved down to nothing. Even on paper, the convenient assumptions and mental gymnastics necessary to even get to a $1.13 ROI requires a 30 year calculation that will make your head spin.
When so many people are struggling to even put food on the table or gas in their cars at 3.8% inflation, negative wage growth, and 5% local unemployment, our taxpayer dollars should be going towards more equitable uses than high-end finishes for C-suite transplants. With the completion grant, it is not imaginary TIF funding. It is literally drawing from the paychecks of the city's working class to build housing for the 5%'ers that are already riding the benefits of K-shaped recovery while everyone else is getting squeezed.
I think it's as bad of a look as taking gas tax dollars from struggling families and ramming them into a vanity transit project that benefits no one and barely works. Our leaders' (and to be clear, both deals predated current leadership) ultimate responsibility is to look out for the populace and responsibly steward the hard-earned dollars we take from them.
If the intent of this massive package for the tower is to stimulate property taxes on the Southbank, I hope this is the last ask from Related for this area. There's no universe where we should allow them to double-dip on incentives if they take over the MOSH site.
It is quite incredible the scrutiny for tiny amounts of affordable housing funding compared to projects like this
Quote from: Jankelope on May 17, 2026, 08:11:18 AMIt is quite incredible the scrutiny for tiny amounts of affordable housing funding compared to projects like this
It's truly wild. As a city, we've committed
three times more taxpayer dollars from the general fund for this single, ultra-luxury apartment complex ($38 million) than we've committed to affordable housing and homeless services for the entire year combined ($12 million).
Jacksonville has a 50,000 unit shortfall in affordable housing that our citizens openly report to be the most important issue in Jacksonville, and wildly unproven demand for $5k apartment rents on the river.
It's weird to me how elements of the city gets themselves worked into an uproar over spending money on parks or stadium improvements, but no one seems to be questioning a monstrous, near-$40 million cash hand out from taxpayers to Related.
Think of how hard those dollars could work if used for down payment assistance, beefing up an affordable housing trust like you see in cities like Atlanta, expanding beds in homeless shelters, subsidizing more workforce housing with state support, etc.
I'm sure it will be beautiful, I question if it will be full, and have no doubt that are better uses of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the city's general fund is already stretched thin. Subsidies for projects like the Gateway Publix development, stadium improvements, Laura Street Trio, parks, and even the Four Seasons all make sense to me. They're providing reasonably equitable public services, saving critically endangered historic building stock, or addressing a major gap in the market that will start generating bed tax dollars immediately. Don't see it with this one. REV grants and a $10 million completion grant? Sure. $38 million from the general fund. Woof.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 17, 2026, 11:43:09 AMQuote from: Jankelope on May 17, 2026, 08:11:18 AMIt is quite incredible the scrutiny for tiny amounts of affordable housing funding compared to projects like this
It's truly wild. As a city, we've committed three times more taxpayer dollars from the general fund for this single, ultra-luxury apartment complex ($38 million) than we've committed to affordable housing and homeless services for the entire year combined ($12 million).
Jacksonville has a 50,000 unit shortfall in affordable housing that our citizens openly report to be the most important issue in Jacksonville, and wildly unproven demand for $5k apartment rents on the river.
It's weird to me how elements of the city gets themselves worked into an uproar over spending money on parks or stadium improvements, but no one seems to be questioning a monstrous, near-$40 million cash hand out from taxpayers to Related.
Think of how hard those dollars could work if used for down payment assistance, beefing up an affordable housing trust like you see in cities like Atlanta, expanding beds in homeless shelters, subsidizing more workforce housing with state support, etc.
I'm sure it will be beautiful, I question if it will be full, and have no doubt that are better uses of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the city's general fund is already stretched thin. Subsidies for projects like the Gateway Publix development, stadium improvements, Laura Street Trio, parks, and even the Four Seasons all make sense to me. They're providing reasonably equitable public services, saving critically endangered historic building stock, or addressing a major gap in the market that will start generating bed tax dollars immediately. Don't see it with this one. REV grants and a $10 million completion grant? Sure. $38 million from the general fund. Woof.
A lot of things in life in regards to government spending and priorities make a lot more sense when you understand this nugget of truth:
The first priority of government is to enrich the rich, or at least make them happy.
^This. With politics, throw logic out of the window.
That statistic of only $12 million for affordable housing for the ENTIRE CITY is absolutely crazy when it is the biggest single issue for Jacksonville citizens.
Quote from: Jankelope on May 18, 2026, 11:30:47 AMThat statistic of only $12 million for affordable housing for the ENTIRE CITY is absolutely crazy when it is the biggest single issue for Jacksonville citizens.
Tell me about it. Every year the mayor has put robust affordable housing funding into the budget, only for it to be removed by City Council. Last year alone our proposed addition of $7 million was cut to $900k.
Disgusting and sad. I hope none of them end up in a place where they need such help.
Probably blocked behind a paywall, but here is an interesting and relevant article (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/05/18/opinion/affordable-housing-america.html) from the NYT.
QuoteAustin highlights the alternative approach. Its leaders understood that expanding the housing stock in any way, even with luxury apartment buildings, would ease pressure for renters or buyers at lower income levels. Higher-income residents move into the new construction, creating less demand for older buildings and reducing the prices to live there. Instead of constraints, Austin offered perks. If an apartment building included affordable units or its design was environmentally friendly, the city relaxed restrictions on building height and size.
Reasonable minds can disagree whether the incentives going towards the Related Tower are the best use of that taxpayer money, but the project should still have some positive effect on rental prices. Any increase to the housing supply is good.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 17, 2026, 11:43:09 AMQuote from: Jankelope on May 17, 2026, 08:11:18 AMIt is quite incredible the scrutiny for tiny amounts of affordable housing funding compared to projects like this
It's truly wild. As a city, we've committed three times more taxpayer dollars from the general fund for this single, ultra-luxury apartment complex ($38 million) than we've committed to affordable housing and homeless services for the entire year combined ($12 million).
Jacksonville has a 50,000 unit shortfall in affordable housing that our citizens openly report to be the most important issue in Jacksonville, and wildly unproven demand for $5k apartment rents on the river.
It's weird to me how elements of the city gets themselves worked into an uproar over spending money on parks or stadium improvements, but no one seems to be questioning a monstrous, near-$40 million cash hand out from taxpayers to Related.
Think of how hard those dollars could work if used for down payment assistance, beefing up an affordable housing trust like you see in cities like Atlanta, expanding beds in homeless shelters, subsidizing more workforce housing with state support, etc.
I'm sure it will be beautiful, I question if it will be full, and have no doubt that are better uses of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the city's general fund is already stretched thin. Subsidies for projects like the Gateway Publix development, stadium improvements, Laura Street Trio, parks, and even the Four Seasons all make sense to me. They're providing reasonably equitable public services, saving critically endangered historic building stock, or addressing a major gap in the market that will start generating bed tax dollars immediately. Don't see it with this one. REV grants and a $10 million completion grant? Sure. $38 million from the general fund. Woof.
Curious question, is the 50k shortfall Duval County or Jax metro?
I ask because I've seen more noise about affordable housing developments being denied in SJC by the commish in the news than approval citing traffic and congestion.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on May 18, 2026, 02:17:25 PMQuote from: Ken_FSU on May 17, 2026, 11:43:09 AMQuote from: Jankelope on May 17, 2026, 08:11:18 AMIt is quite incredible the scrutiny for tiny amounts of affordable housing funding compared to projects like this
It's truly wild. As a city, we've committed three times more taxpayer dollars from the general fund for this single, ultra-luxury apartment complex ($38 million) than we've committed to affordable housing and homeless services for the entire year combined ($12 million).
Jacksonville has a 50,000 unit shortfall in affordable housing that our citizens openly report to be the most important issue in Jacksonville, and wildly unproven demand for $5k apartment rents on the river.
It's weird to me how elements of the city gets themselves worked into an uproar over spending money on parks or stadium improvements, but no one seems to be questioning a monstrous, near-$40 million cash hand out from taxpayers to Related.
Think of how hard those dollars could work if used for down payment assistance, beefing up an affordable housing trust like you see in cities like Atlanta, expanding beds in homeless shelters, subsidizing more workforce housing with state support, etc.
I'm sure it will be beautiful, I question if it will be full, and have no doubt that are better uses of taxpayer dollars, at a time when the city's general fund is already stretched thin. Subsidies for projects like the Gateway Publix development, stadium improvements, Laura Street Trio, parks, and even the Four Seasons all make sense to me. They're providing reasonably equitable public services, saving critically endangered historic building stock, or addressing a major gap in the market that will start generating bed tax dollars immediately. Don't see it with this one. REV grants and a $10 million completion grant? Sure. $38 million from the general fund. Woof.
Curious question, is the 50k shortfall Duval County or Jax metro?
I ask because I've seen more noise about affordable housing developments being denied in SJC by the commish in the news than approval citing traffic and congestion.
COJ only!
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2026/02/13/jacksonville-ramps-up-affordable-housing-construction-but-the-city-is-still-50000-units-short/
Quote from: Joey Mackey on May 18, 2026, 02:01:43 PMProbably blocked behind a paywall, but here is an interesting and relevant article (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/05/18/opinion/affordable-housing-america.html) from the NYT.
QuoteAustin highlights the alternative approach. Its leaders understood that expanding the housing stock in any way, even with luxury apartment buildings, would ease pressure for renters or buyers at lower income levels. Higher-income residents move into the new construction, creating less demand for older buildings and reducing the prices to live there. Instead of constraints, Austin offered perks. If an apartment building included affordable units or its design was environmentally friendly, the city relaxed restrictions on building height and size.
Reasonable minds can disagree whether the incentives going towards the Related Tower are the best use of that taxpayer money, but the project should still have some positive effect on rental prices. Any increase to the housing supply is good.
^This. There's a shortage of housing all across the board. Adding to the supply anywhere in the chain helps the shortage. And when it can be done in an infill area that already has basic infrastructure like roads, power and water, so much the better. Unfortunately there's still a gap in the affordable sphere due to City Council cutting it from the budget as well as things like the chronic underfunding of the state's Sadowski funds for affordable housing, a massive issue in its own right (https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/floridas-secret-weapon-in-the-housing-crisis/).
One real heartbreaker for me was what happened with the affordable housing fund (https://www.jaxcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jacksonville-Affordable-Housing-Fund.pdf). This was a plan that dedicated $10 million for a loan (not a grant, a loan) that would be used to fundraise $30 million in private dollars. We determined we could finance 500-1000 new affordable housing units with that alone. Council cut it from the budget.
We need to be spending $100 million annually in our general fund to subsidize, incentivize, match funds, and dramatically increase the amount of affordable, workforce, and 80/20 developments in every single city council district (including the rich ones).
The uncomfortable truth is that many people, including working class people, have been convinced that housing that is "affordable" means negative things for them in terms of crime, homelessness, and people they don't want around them.
It is a cultural rot that we must overcome. Having an affordable place to live is the beginning of reducing crime, building community trust, and having vibrant neighborhoods.
Is Jacksonville following the Phase III Water Shortage restrictions from the St. Johns River Water Management District, at Friendship Fountain, and other the other restrictions? And, if not, why not?
QuoteWhat a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Means
Under a Phase III water shortage:
Landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week and prohibited between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Irrigation of new plantings, including sod, is further restricted.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional users must suspend certain non-essential water uses.
Aesthetic water use is prohibited, and additional restrictions apply to activities such as street and pressure washing.
Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
Residents, businesses, agricultural operations, and other water users are encouraged to proactively plan for continued dry conditions and the potential for additional restrictions.
https://www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions/#new-sod
Quote from: Charles Hunter on May 20, 2026, 06:18:26 PMIs Jacksonville following the Phase III Water Shortage restrictions from the St. Johns River Water Management District, at Friendship Fountain, and other the other restrictions? And, if not, why not?
QuoteWhat a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Means
Under a Phase III water shortage:
Landscape irrigation is limited to one day a week and prohibited between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Irrigation of new plantings, including sod, is further restricted.
Commercial, industrial, and institutional users must suspend certain non-essential water uses.
Aesthetic water use is prohibited, and additional restrictions apply to activities such as street and pressure washing.
Wasteful and unnecessary water use is prohibited.
Residents, businesses, agricultural operations, and other water users are encouraged to proactively plan for continued dry conditions and the potential for additional restrictions.
https://www.sjrwmd.com/wateringrestrictions/#new-sod
The first place that this needs to be applied to are Beachwalk and the other "blue water" lakes/fake beaches under construction at Seven Pines (the surfing project) and off Normandy Blvd. I have heard the amount of water that can evaporate daily from these "lakes" and that needs to be replaced would shock people. Among the biggest non-industrial users of water.