DCPS plan move from Southbank to Baymeadows, raising accessibility concerns

[CityLife]

I would guess that Related Group are waiting to see what shakes out with Downtown's office vacancy rate, UF's campus, the MOSH site, and leasing rates of One Riverside, Rise, etc. Those aren't the same market, but probably are a good indicator for RG.

Probably too many unknown's for them at this point and they have plenty of other projects in their pipeline elsewhere and don't have to take any big risks.

[Ken_FSU]

From the start, it's felt like Related bought the land as a long-term investment while positioning it to the city as a shovel-ready short-term project. Let's not forget that Related has been showing renderings for the property since 2021, and has already gone through a full first cycle of extensions and project cancellation. When the city mentioned exercising it's contractual right to buy back the River City property from Related at purchase price ($10 million), Related came back with this latest set of renderings, and again appears to be stalling out the clock. Economy and tariffs clearly aren't helping anyone break ground at the moment, and I believe the city had to finish bulkhead work before Related could even hypothetically break ground, but I'm starting to lose faith in these guys as being serious about the project anytime soon.

[Tacachale]

Y'all, there's no slowdown with the Related project. In fact there could be equipment moving in by January from what I hear. And there are absolutely no hurdles coming from the city side; the incentives package got DIA and council approval last year and the... related public works projects in the area are on track.

I'll also say, as someone who was publicly somewhat critical of the initial plan, previous delays here aren't really the fault of DIA. They made deals but were kind of shooting in the dark due to lack of communication and infrastructure support from the previous mayoral administration. The current deal is certainly more realistic than a lot of the "Renderingville" proposals we've lived through in the past.

Of course, no one can predict the future, but this one's chugging ahead. And worse comes to worse, we have the diversity of other projects in various stages still moving ahead.

[Ken_FSU]

Y'all, there's no slowdown with the Related project. In fact there could be equipment moving in by January from what I hear. And there are absolutely no hurdles coming from the city side; the incentives package got DIA and council approval last year and the... related public works projects in the area are on track.

I'll also say, as someone who was publicly somewhat critical of the initial plan, previous delays here aren't really the fault of DIA. They made deals but were kind of shooting in the dark due to lack of communication and infrastructure support from the previous mayoral administration. The current deal is certainly more realistic than a lot of the "Renderingville" proposals we've lived through in the past.

Of course, no one can predict the future, but this one's chugging ahead. And worse comes to worse, we have the diversity of other projects in various stages still moving ahead.

Glad to hear the positive update, Bill! I don't believe there's been any public update on the project in over a year. To be clear, wasn't faulting the DIA for the delays. If anything, the DIA package should be accelerating this guy. $40 million in cash on the table if they complete it. My only critique with the deal and plan is the restaurant getting moved to the back of the development on the river. Loved the original plan with the restaurant directly overlooking and providing energy to Friendship Park, but less worried about it if we feel good that the DIA's separate plan for the restaurant in Friendship Park is in the pipeline.

[Steve]

Consider local partisan politics, higher interest rates, substantially higher building costs, an economy on the downhill slide due to tariffs, government shutdown, layoffs, etc.  With all that, who would want to build a big dollar high end project in Jacksonville where absorption rates for their type of urban core project may be unproven adding substantial risk? 

No one seems to want to go first.  Maybe Gateway (are they building condos or just apartments?) or the Four Seasons shows the way.

Off topic but I'd be really surprised if any of Gateway's tall stuff is for sale. HOA fees on mid/high rise stuff is through the roof since Surfside (laws changed a little too extreme IMO). Jump on Zillow and peek at the condos for sale and their HOA fees.

[heights unknown]

Y'all, there's no slowdown with the Related project. In fact there could be equipment moving in by January from what I hear. And there are absolutely no hurdles coming from the city side; the incentives package got DIA and council approval last year and the... related public works projects in the area are on track.

I'll also say, as someone who was publicly somewhat critical of the initial plan, previous delays here aren't really the fault of DIA. They made deals but were kind of shooting in the dark due to lack of communication and infrastructure support from the previous mayoral administration. The current deal is certainly more realistic than a lot of the "Renderingville" proposals we've lived through in the past.

Of course, no one can predict the future, but this one's chugging ahead. And worse comes to worse, we have the diversity of other projects in various stages still moving ahead.

Glad to hear the positive update, Bill! I don't believe there's been any public update on the project in over a year. To be clear, wasn't faulting the DIA for the delays. If anything, the DIA package should be accelerating this guy. $40 million in cash on the table if they complete it. My only critique with the deal and plan is the restaurant getting moved to the back of the development on the river. Loved the original plan with the restaurant directly overlooking and providing energy to Friendship Park, but less worried about it if we feel good that the DIA's separate plan for the restaurant in Friendship Park is in the pipeline.

Yeah Bill, thanks for the positive, upbeat and encouraging news; we don't need no more "pie in the skies" that come crashing down. We do need to "press on" with the developments that are now coming to fruition and giving us momentum downtown that we haven't seen in ages!

[Zac T]

Consider local partisan politics, higher interest rates, substantially higher building costs, an economy on the downhill slide due to tariffs, government shutdown, layoffs, etc.  With all that, who would want to build a big dollar high end project in Jacksonville where absorption rates for their type of urban core project may be unproven adding substantial risk? 

No one seems to want to go first.  Maybe Gateway (are they building condos or just apartments?) or the Four Seasons shows the way.

Off topic but I'd be really surprised if any of Gateway's tall stuff is for sale. HOA fees on mid/high rise stuff is through the roof since Surfside (laws changed a little too extreme IMO). Jump on Zillow and peek at the condos for sale and their HOA fees.

Correct, the only project Gateway has publicly stated will be condos is their Riverfront Plaza project. Pearl Square is all for rent (both traditional apartments and short-term rentals)

[Jones518]

Y'all, there's no slowdown with the Related project. In fact there could be equipment moving in by January from what I hear. And there are absolutely no hurdles coming from the city side; the incentives package got DIA and council approval last year and the... related public works projects in the area are on track.

I'll also say, as someone who was publicly somewhat critical of the initial plan, previous delays here aren't really the fault of DIA. They made deals but were kind of shooting in the dark due to lack of communication and infrastructure support from the previous mayoral administration. The current deal is certainly more realistic than a lot of the "Renderingville" proposals we've lived through in the past.

Of course, no one can predict the future, but this one's chugging ahead. And worse comes to worse, we have the diversity of other projects in various stages still moving ahead.

I hope so...fingers crossed... doesn't feel too promising though... as someone said earlier, it's been over a year since the public has gotten any updates on the project. And I'm typically more bullish on downtown development projects...I do hope if it continues to move forward that the restaurant faces the river.... We shall see...

[jcjohnpaint]

Drove by Gateway today after picking my work up from Moca. They are actively breaking ground on N8. Trucks on site.

[Steve]

That's a big deal-N8 is the 22 story building, across the street from N4 which is coming out of the ground, and N5 which is the parking garage they're adding retail to the bottom of.

Really well done cluster there. Dude, it's happening.

[jcjohnpaint]

Garage  looks like it is about to start with fencing. Can't see the Publix not happening with the name. Also, looked like site work happening at Beaver and Davis. Not sure if it is anyrhing.

[jaxlongtimer]

I am guessing Gateway realizes that, to be successful, they need to create their own self--contained ecosystem and it needs to all come together at once.  They certainly are not going to get much of a boost from the rest of Downtown's poorly managed ecosystem on all levels. 

Depending on the rest of Downtown to keep pace is a death knell as it has been for most every other proposed or actual project over the last few decades.  Thank you, lousy City leadership, visioning, planning, consistency, creativity, transit and infrastructure investment and execution.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

Great optimism Ritz Carlton residence or St. Regis. I hope it comes true but looks a little more modern. And according to this report, yes the Related Group project is still on track per the vid above the article.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2025/11/12/when-duval-school-board-leaves-downtown-heres-whats-taking-its-place/87152607007/

[jaxlongtimer]

And according to this report, yes the Related Group project is still on track per the vid above the article.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2025/11/12/when-duval-school-board-leaves-downtown-heres-whats-taking-its-place/87152607007/

I couldn't find a date for the video you refer to.  Is it recent or from quite awhile back?  If the latter, it won't be all that meaningful today.

[heights unknown]

Drove by Gateway today after picking my work up from Moca. They are actively breaking ground on N8. Trucks on site.

Last week I noticed the same thing; trucks in and out and  other machinery smoothing out N8. However, I don't think that they have as of yet officially broke ground. Maybe what we saw was some type of preliminary site preparation.