Quote(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Riverside-Plaza-Phase-2/i-wvDMWNX/0/MFs4SqTT4nfT6X83grSN8d7Smc3XtpZ8jQ7fgfgsv/XL/20260514%20DDRB%20REGULAR%20MEETING%20AGENDA%20PACKET_Page_59-XL.jpg)
With Phase 1 of Riverfront Plaza completed, the City of Jacksonville is gearing up to move forward with the construction of Phase 2, which will include a beer garden, rain garden, and a bike and pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge. Here's a visual look at what's planned. Let us know what you think!
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/renderings-of-riverfront-plaza-phase-2/
I can't say I quite see the vision with Phase 2.
Love what was originally shown, with the grand "Civic Stairs" leading to some type of large art installation (even if it wasn't the original statue), along with the reflecting pool/fountain feature. Felt iconic and fitting for the space.
(https://snipboard.io/tmhdIC.jpg)
Feels like a lot of that distinct character in the middle has been replaced with a putting green.
(https://snipboard.io/N3hJ10.jpg)
You can see the before & after "Civic Stairs" in the comparisons below.
(https://snipboard.io/Cag5fT.jpg)
(https://snipboard.io/nBExbP.jpg)
Once you add in the private development at the restaurant pad and the Gateway Jax Tower, I'm still not 100% sure what this park truly is trying to be. But looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.
Curious if the shell/retail space shown here is part of Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza (e.g. physical infrastructure supporting the Beer Garden) or part of the Gateway Tower.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/Riverside-Plaza-Phase-2/i-KzgzTgJ/0/LsvQDdhD27vBvV4Nrg5tW5CMQRW9g625GVC7wnHHV/XL/20260514%20DDRB%20REGULAR%20MEETING%20AGENDA%20PACKET_Page_61-XL.jpg)
Others on this forum would have the knowledge, but I would speculate that we're seeing updated designs based on costs rising and what gateway has planned. If I'm not mistaken, gateway is supposed to have an dia approved proposal within a month. Looking forward to that - even if it's only 17 stories.
QuoteSalem's amendment removed language about city incentives Gateway could seek in the future to develop the riverfront parcel and reduced the amount of time the developer has to return to council with a DIA-approved plan for the site, from 15 down to 12 months.
https://jaxtoday.org/2025/06/10/land-swap-for-uf-campus-paves-way-for-riverfront-development/
I think the park seems a bit busy and a lot of concrete, but looks good overall. Excited for all the little amenities they've added, like a swing for example. Hope they add at least somewhat mature trees that actually would provide shade at least in the beer garden rather than the baby trees planted at RiversEdge. Really like under the bridge for some reason, just feels like it's going to connect to something great.
The civic stairs and fountain were my favorite aspect of the plan. Also would be where a monumental sculpture would go if possible in the future. Pretty disappointing. But we are living in The Orange Emperor's wonderful economy.
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on May 11, 2026, 08:08:31 PMThe civic stairs and fountain were my favorite aspect of the plan. Also would be where a monumental sculpture would go if possible in the future. Pretty disappointing. But we are living in The Orange Emperor's wonderful economy.
Yeah, this was what I was getting at too. The new design removes the winning element of the design competition - the sprawling staircase leading to the central public art piece - and essentially replaces it with nondescript hardscaping that leaves no opportunity for a future installation.
For what is presumably our crown jewel urban park, there's nothing truly unique or iconically Jacksonville about it. There's no money shot from a skyline or photo opp perspective like I believe was intended with the design. No Chicago Bean or Philly Love equivalent.
Probably too late now, but I hope they revisit the idea of the stairs, pedestal, and reflective fountain. Even if the art piece comes a decade later, it'd be a massive missed opportunity to make an otherwise beautiful park iconic both locally and from a marketing perspective.
^Jinxed it. Just got the email about the public workshop. We've gotta get better at not announcing these things on 48 hours notice, but should be a good opportunity to share feedback!
(https://snipboard.io/rHT6uF.jpg)
I am very supportive of the current administration and how they have seemingly "moved things along" and prioritized the funding and completion of these parks projects.
With that being said, these updated renderings are absolutely a step down (so to speak) from the Civic Stairs, fountain, and iconic art piece. Obviously the winning design was chosen by the Boyer led DIA and input from previous Mayoral administration, but still...the idea of an iconic piece of public art that would define the main photo featured on TV of our city is totally absent with seemingly no place to put it. At this point, ESPN just needs to take footage of Friendship Fountain for this, but it's gonna be surrounded by Related tower construction, a demolished MOSH building, and the increasingly ugly DoubleTree for the foreseeable future.
We seem to be taking 2 steps forward, 1 step back now...which is admittedly better than 1 step forward, 2 steps back, which is what I felt defined the Curry administration.
I think this will still be a park that is done at a world class level, and I am supportive of the Gateway Tower...but it just still feels like it isn't going to be the true "iconic" place that I felt it was with the big JAX statue.
Say what you will about the JAX statue (or Lerp as it is now affectionately known) but it got everyone talking, created tons of memes, custom merch, and is now known by almost the whole city)
I thought phase 2 was already desinged and under construction??
I am not as upset about the lack of Lerp from the initial concept, but I too am not enthused by the new design. I was always interested in how they'd pull off a public biergarten, but what's shown is just seating detached from anything to drive usage. It's going to be a wasted space.
The two planters along the bulkhead break up the riverwalk and will cause chaos as people moving at different paces swerve around these objects blocking their field of view. Strollers, walkers, runners, bikes, and ebikes will all be swinging wide to avoid these objects and into the path of oncoming traffic. The riverwalk width and visibility needs to be maintained and then the greenery of the park starts 30+ feet back from the bulkhead.