Recent posts

#91

Downtown / Re: COJ and UF take first majo...

Last post by Jones518 - May 15, 2026, 01:59:42 AM

Glass-heavy modern architecture...I'm not mad at it.. it has an urban feel/design to it.

#92

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by fsu813 - May 14, 2026, 06:59:33 PM

Any idea why DVI randomly decided to cancel Sip and Stroll through September? Feels like a popular event that always draws good foot traffic for local businesses. The DIA pushed through open container regulations for it. We finally have the riverfront parks open. Perfect time of year with schools out and daylight until 8:00 pm. Very hard to build momentum with start and stop on these things.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/14/downtown-vision-incs-sip-stroll-event-to-go-on-summer-break/

They've done this the past 2 years as well. Severe weather + extreme heat made it difficult to continue in the summer months and turnout wasn't always great so they decided to focus on fall, winter, and spring when the weather is more cooperative

I feel like some of the design firms that have created our public spaces still think of shade as secondary or optional. Shade is pretty much *required* for any outdoor public space to be easily used 33% of the year.

#93

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by Jankelope - May 14, 2026, 04:12:33 PM

Sorry Corner on Main. Not 8th and Main. The big multi-family project.

#94

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by acme54321 - May 14, 2026, 02:31:07 PM

The new Multi-family development Main & 8th or whatever it's called is really cool. They did a good job on design and I love that it sort of marks a stake in the ground of where "springfield" commercial district begins. I think it's gonna be really popular.

What new 8th and Main project?

#95

Transportation, Mass Transit & Infrastructure / Five-Year Transportation Plan ...

Last post by Charles Hunter - May 14, 2026, 02:19:30 PM

It is once again the time of year that the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (NFTPO) reviews and adopts the 5-year transportation plan - the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP includes all transportation projects with federal or state transportation funds in the 4-county metro Jacksonville area - Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns. Comments must be submitted by June 1

POSTED TIP
The TIP is posted here: https://northfloridatpo.com/planning/tip 
The 'hard copy' report is broken into sections, and there is an interactive version, where you can use a map to find projects, or put in key words.
To comment on individual projects, use the "interactive" option.


In addition to commenting through the website, the NFTPO will hold five virtual (Zoom) public meetings to receive public comments - one for each county and a final wrap-up. The meetings are next week - May 18-21, and May 26.

An overview: https://northfloridatpo.com/planning/tip for details. Comments must be submitted by June 1.
 
Clay County: Monday, May 18, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85307905001?pwd=S1kejH4Ga1iU8lIgVElNaTO0O9tmbl.1

Nassau County: May 19, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86707622349?pwd=MeeYzeySd5DfvAGpCoaZBHIuPZucFV.1

St. Johns County: May 20, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86707622349?pwd=MeeYzeySd5DfvAGpCoaZBHIuPZucFV.1

Duval County: May 21, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86461682519?pwd=bdiCcaDkPKPqIhC2coordsjbHPaspN.1

Regional Public Meeting: May 26, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84033690897?pwd=x3kGRuJNtTDBM885f2CUWXty6t4Y9I.1

They also have a survey online: https://publicinput.com/tip2026

#96

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by Zac T - May 14, 2026, 01:16:41 PM

Any idea why DVI randomly decided to cancel Sip and Stroll through September? Feels like a popular event that always draws good foot traffic for local businesses. The DIA pushed through open container regulations for it. We finally have the riverfront parks open. Perfect time of year with schools out and daylight until 8:00 pm. Very hard to build momentum with start and stop on these things.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/14/downtown-vision-incs-sip-stroll-event-to-go-on-summer-break/

They've done this the past 2 years as well. Severe weather + extreme heat made it difficult to continue in the summer months and turnout wasn't always great so they decided to focus on fall, winter, and spring when the weather is more cooperative

#97

Downtown / Re: Friendship Fountain Restau...

Last post by Jagsdrew - May 14, 2026, 01:11:12 PM

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 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.

#98

Downtown / Re: Downtown Development Updat...

Last post by Ken_FSU - May 14, 2026, 12:44:46 PM

Any idea why DVI randomly decided to cancel Sip and Stroll through September? Feels like a popular event that always draws good foot traffic for local businesses. The DIA pushed through open container regulations for it. We finally have the riverfront parks open. Perfect time of year with schools out and daylight until 8:00 pm. Very hard to build momentum with start and stop on these things.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/14/downtown-vision-incs-sip-stroll-event-to-go-on-summer-break/

#99

Downtown / Re: Culinary Institute of Amer...

Last post by Ned Plimpton - May 14, 2026, 11:40:11 AM

Why must the campus be heavily-subsidized new build on prime riverfront property while the Trio sits vacant with ample square footage? If we are as cash strapped as council intermittently claims we are, why would we take on yet another massive subsidy while the Trio sits in limbo?

I think the concept of CIA coming to Jax is awesome. I don't love tethering it to the Ford on Bay--it seems unnecessarily complicated and short-sighted in context of budget, the other 2 parcels, the Hyatt/convention/ROFR issue, and the overall smell of pre-ordained backroom dealing in the design of the RFP.

Agreed that the Ford on Bay is not the appropriate place for the school (hearing that the hotel is dead), but the footprints of the Trio buildings do not work at all for a cooking school.  The Florida life and Bisbee buildings are incredibly narrow.  That said, there are plenty of existing buildings downtown with empty space that would work for this use.

#100

What is missing and what isn't? / Re: Attractions in Jacksonvill...

Last post by Jankelope - May 14, 2026, 09:26:04 AM

Okay so this one is a moonshot...

But what do you think about an attraction/hotel combo called "ICEWORLD" that has a 50,000 square foot "Thermal Core" that is 27 degrees year round. There is an attached hotel, and in the Thermal core there is also floor level retail for coffee/hot chocolate, winter clothing, etc. It snows every day, there's slides, frozen cave, events, field trips.

Basically a year round version of what Gaylord Palms does. I think you would have to get the scale and scope right for it to be sustainable, but I think there could be a market...

It is my craziest idea but it would be something only Jacksonville has.