Riverfront Jacksonville: $1.1 billion Master Plan

[jaxlongtimer]

Includes a non-convention center convention center  :

The plans include a 500,000-square-foot exhibition hall where the City Hall annex used to stand. That facility, which would be owned by the city, would be connected to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, which Atkins said his development group has been working with.

That site has been mooted as the home of a convention center in the past, but Atkins stressed that space is not a convention center — a project that has received pushback from the mayor's office.

"This is a much smaller space and a much more economically feasible space," Atkins said. "It is not addressed as a convention center. It's addressed as a large entertainment and exhibition space that's very flexible."

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2021/06/01/atkins-downtown-riverfront.html?ana=e_jac_bn_breakingnews_breakingnews&j=90561680&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=NjczLVVXWS0yMjkAAAF9ZwtNn4FIwsDrugqrIbtjPoHGaxYVBKWBrzr6r7ms2Jl3_6sHMwAYdlp323Jngef6nsOBrsBcUfijHTvt1559i41TG-tveu6PZVi9Cb8XfnPVNoSX

[Downtown Osprey]

Nice renderings. Going to wager this will make the local and social media rounds and absolutely none of it will come to fruition. The Jax way.

[jaxoNOLE]

By the end of this month, DIA will release three plans they paid to have designed for Lenny's Lawn.
Either this month or next month, Spandrel will likely be releasing some modified plans for the Ford on Bay site.

Today was just one of many persons wishlist displayed in rendering form.

If the DIA and City had a solid track record vetting such opportunities, we'd be jumping for joy and lauding the benefits of healthy competition to produce the best possible outcome. Competing plans are great assets in the hands of competent leadership. Can we turn these into assets, or will we once again waste everyone's time?

[thelakelander]

Includes a non-convention center convention center  :

The plans include a 500,000-square-foot exhibition hall where the City Hall annex used to stand. That facility, which would be owned by the city, would be connected to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, which Atkins said his development group has been working with.

That site has been mooted as the home of a convention center in the past, but Atkins stressed that space is not a convention center — a project that has received pushback from the mayor's office.

"This is a much smaller space and a much more economically feasible space," Atkins said. "It is not addressed as a convention center. It's addressed as a large entertainment and exhibition space that's very flexible."

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2021/06/01/atkins-downtown-riverfront.html?ana=e_jac_bn_breakingnews_breakingnews&j=90561680&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=NjczLVVXWS0yMjkAAAF9ZwtNn4FIwsDrugqrIbtjPoHGaxYVBKWBrzr6r7ms2Jl3_6sHMwAYdlp323Jngef6nsOBrsBcUfijHTvt1559i41TG-tveu6PZVi9Cb8XfnPVNoSX

I agree with Atkins that adding an exhibition hall on the back of the Hyatt makes sense. It doesn't need to be anywhere close to 500k square feet though but the floor plate should be larger than the Prime Osborn's exhibition hall. With that, combined with the Hyatt's meeting facilities, the Prime Osborn can be closed as a convention center (and converted back into a train station) and Jax should not have to talk about needing a convention center again for another generation or two (anywhere in the area, including the shipyards and metropolitan park).

[Jagsdrew]

Looking at the renderings, looks like the roundabout with the Andrew Jackson statue will be removed at Laura/Water and I'm assuming it's being moved to the roundabout at Hogan and Water, per the rendering. Obviously all still conceptual.

Interesting to see where the entrance/exit points will be for the garages.

Didn't see any integration with U2C...I digress.

[BridgeTroll]

More Disney renderings?  We have seen soooo many of these over the years... you guys could do a huge article just describing all the various renderings for various phantom projects, parks, and buildings. I hope this is different but I have said that more than I care to think...

[landfall]

More Disney renderings?  We have seen soooo many of these over the years... you guys could do a huge article just describing all the various renderings for various phantom projects, parks, and buildings. I hope this is different but I have said that more than I care to think...

Get it done Lake 

[jcjohnpaint]

I like seeing Independent Dr straightened out and the park extended to the Hyatt. Is there any reason convention centers cannot be vertical? Thinking of Seattle. I guess if connected to the 2nd floor of the Hyatt it could be a bigger footprint. Always wanted to ask, but what is the structure next to the Hyatt? Is that a parking structure? Looks like it is gone in the renderings.

[jaxlongtimer]

I like seeing Independent Dr straightened out and the park extended to the Hyatt. Is there any reason convention centers cannot be vertical? Thinking of Seattle. I guess if connected to the 2nd floor of the Hyatt it could be a bigger footprint. Always wanted to ask, but what is the structure next to the Hyatt? Is that a parking structure? Looks like it is gone in the renderings.

The existing structure was built as a garage under an office building for the State of Florida's regional offices.  Originally called the Daniel State Office Building and designed by prominent architect, William Morgan, who also designed JSO's HQ's. 

I remember seeing Jimmy Carter make a campaign stop speech from its balcony facing a Downtown lunch crowd lining Coast Line Drive.  It also was once the finish line for the Gate River Run in the early years as I recall.

[landfall]

Such a smart, comprehensive plan.

Kind of a best case scenario if Atkins can pull this one off.

Addresses so many things - riverfront park space, view corridors, parking, resiliency, the Landing site, convention center, marina, etc - in one holistic vision.

Plus, unlike projects like Lot J, it sounds like Goldman Sachs and Piper Sandler Companies are willing to privately fund the development upfront, with city contribution coming over time.

Per the Daily Record article, Hyatt is on board, and as far as I know, Spandrell has nothing in writing with the city for the Ford on Bay property.

Will be fascinating to see how the Jags respond to the plan.

On one hand, it could be transformational for downtown. On the other hand, it's a massive public ask that potentially competes for funds that might otherwise go into Shipyard/Met Park.

Great stuff.

Gensler, one of the biggest architectural firms in the world, Goldman Sachs, one of the world's biggest investment banks. Makes Cordish Companies look like single A ball and Spandrel like peewee. Getting big names like that in their corner is definitely reassuring. These companies aren't getting behind fantasy projects and cowboy developers.

[fieldafm]

Always wanted to ask, but what is the structure next to the Hyatt? Is that a parking structure? Looks like it is gone in the renderings.

That is the former Daniel State Office Building designed by William Morgan and built in 1979. It was designed so that residents could enjoy the views of the St Johns River, with each floor containing an outdoor plaza. It was designed at a time when Morgan was building things that resembled Central American pyramids.  The rooftop of the riverfront entrance was actually an amphitheater and covered tensile pavilion.

When the Hyatt was constructed, the building was given to the original developer and the amphitheater was removed. The existing parking garage integrated within the original structure serves as the parking facilities for the Hyatt, and the former office space and outdoor terraces serve as event/meeting/convention spaces for the Hyatt. The facility is 100% critical to the hotel's operations.



Above- then.  Below- now.

[fieldafm]

Such a smart, comprehensive plan.

Kind of a best case scenario if Atkins can pull this one off.

Addresses so many things - riverfront park space, view corridors, parking, resiliency, the Landing site, convention center, marina, etc - in one holistic vision.

Plus, unlike projects like Lot J, it sounds like Goldman Sachs and Piper Sandler Companies are willing to privately fund the development upfront, with city contribution coming over time.

Per the Daily Record article, Hyatt is on board, and as far as I know, Spandrell has nothing in writing with the city for the Ford on Bay property.

Will be fascinating to see how the Jags respond to the plan.

On one hand, it could be transformational for downtown. On the other hand, it's a massive public ask that potentially competes for funds that might otherwise go into Shipyard/Met Park.

Great stuff.

Gensler, one of the biggest architectural firms in the world, Goldman Sachs, one of the world's biggest investment banks. Makes Cordish Companies look like single A ball and Spandrel like peewee. Getting big names like that in their corner is definitely reassuring. These companies aren't getting behind fantasy projects and cowboy developers.

I'd caution getting too excited about these renderings or the name dropping today.

[fieldafm]

Includes a non-convention center convention center  :

The plans include a 500,000-square-foot exhibition hall where the City Hall annex used to stand. That facility, which would be owned by the city, would be connected to the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, which Atkins said his development group has been working with.

That site has been mooted as the home of a convention center in the past, but Atkins stressed that space is not a convention center — a project that has received pushback from the mayor's office.

"This is a much smaller space and a much more economically feasible space," Atkins said. "It is not addressed as a convention center. It's addressed as a large entertainment and exhibition space that's very flexible."

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2021/06/01/atkins-downtown-riverfront.html?ana=e_jac_bn_breakingnews_breakingnews&j=90561680&t=Breaking%20News&mkt_tok=NjczLVVXWS0yMjkAAAF9ZwtNn4FIwsDrugqrIbtjPoHGaxYVBKWBrzr6r7ms2Jl3_6sHMwAYdlp323Jngef6nsOBrsBcUfijHTvt1559i41TG-tveu6PZVi9Cb8XfnPVNoSX

I agree with Atkins that adding an exhibition hall on the back of the Hyatt makes sense. It doesn't need to be anywhere close to 500k square feet though but the floor plate should be larger than the Prime Osborn's exhibition hall. With that, combined with the Hyatt's meeting facilities, the Prime Osborn can be closed as a convention center (and converted back into a train station) and Jax should not have to talk about needing a convention center again for another generation or two (anywhere in the area, including the shipyards and metropolitan park).

There will be a competing convention facility rendering released in a few days.

[jcjohnpaint]

I had no idea. Thanks for the history.

[thelakelander]

There will be a competing convention facility rendering released in a few days.

I wonder where our downtown master plan is? So many competing visions these days. It's hard to keep up. It reminds me of the days when regional malls were a thing. If one developer proposed one, you'd typically end up with two or three more competing proposals. The first one able to secure anchor tenants and break ground the fastest would win.