COJ and UF take first major step towards LaVilla campus

[Ken_FSU]

So very sad 

https://nypost.com/2025/12/23/us-news/ex-sen-ben-sasse-announces-stage-4-pancreatic-cancer-diagnosis-says-he-is-gonna-die/

[jcjohnpaint]

Didn't he resign because his wife had cancer?

[tufsu1]

^ epilepsy

[landfall]

What a significant milestone!!! UF has secured site control in LaVilla for their graduate campus:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/dec/19/university-of-florida-says-it-closed-on-downtown-land-for-jacksonville-graduate-campus/


Keep the momentum downtown Jax!!

In the article it says:

" UF plans to adapt the Jacksonville Terminal train station to modern uses, keeping its exterior as-is while renovating the interior for such potential uses as retail and restaurants.

The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center would be demolished to make way for new construction."


Let's hope that it can be restored back to a train station...fingers crossed....

Big outcome from this has to be getting the Convention Center over to the empty space on Bay next to the Hyatt.

[heights unknown]

I get the feeling that the "powers that be" already have an inkling and/or ideas regarding a new Convention Center "somewhere" Downtown. We'll see what happens. For them to just give up the Prime Osborn to UF and raze/demolish the Convention Center portion at the Prime Osborn, they must already have some type of plan, proposals, etc. in mind.

[Tacachale]

I get the feeling that the "powers that be" already have an inkling and/or ideas regarding a new Convention Center "somewhere" Downtown. We'll see what happens. For them to just give up the Prime Osborn to UF and raze/demolish the Convention Center portion at the Prime Osborn, they must already have some type of plan, proposals, etc. in mind.

Yeah, there's a pretty good consensus there should be a convention center, and that it must be downtown. The main debate is over whether to put it by the Hyatt (my personal preference, for clustering and price reasons) or another spot, presumably as part of a bigger development. We aren't anywhere close to selecting a site or putting out bids yet, however.

[Steve]

See to me this one is simple: Phase 1, you use the two vacant blocks on Bay - it's adjacent to the Hyatt, you can get about 175k SqFt out of it (accounting for back of house functions), and as long as you line the ground floor with retail, it would be a great compliment to the area. I'd like to think that - especially with a PPP for the convention center letting the private sector build the thing - this could be done relatively quickly. Parking isn't ideal. I'd suggest a garage at the block bounded by Bay/Catherine/Forsyth/Marsh. It's 2 blocks which some won't like, but it could also serve the Shipyards West park. Alternatively, you could look at the block bound by Forsyth/Liberty/Adams/Washington, though you'd have to take down part of the stupid Hart Bridge Ramps. I'm assuming the JEA site right by the Main St. Bridge ramp isn't easily moveable (plus access in/out for cars would be weird).

If the convention business takes off, then you look at Phase 2, at the JSO/Jail site which could be connected by a skywalk (one of the very few times I'd be down for a skywalk). Not counting the parking garage lot that you built in Phase 1, in the superblock bound by Bay/Marsh/Adams/Liberty, you can get another 450k SqFt out of that (Assuming you'd remove the ridiculous old Hart Bridge ramps that encroach on the site). Combined, you'd be at 650 SqFt, which would be quite a good size. If you needed more parking with Phase 2, you have the lot at Adams/Market/Monroe/Liberty. I'm pretty sure the State recently said they're going to surplus. BTW, this parking could serve the churches in the Cathedral district if needed, as in their master plan they'd like to develop some of the vacant lots north of the churches they use for parking.

[jaxlongtimer]

I know this was brought up before and dissed here, but I still think a convention center amidst the stadiums/arena complex is a viable option.  Lots of existing parking that could be shared and the ability to co-host events with the stadiums/arena.  Add now a hotel with the Four Seasons (albeit not the size of the Hyatt).  However, with Khan owning the fairgrounds (will he pitch that as a convention site?!) and its potential to host hotels plus his dream still of an entertainment complex, the area has much to offer over the next few years.  Nearby will also be riverfront parks, the Navy ship and MOSH (maybe) that also could support event break-outs.  Access for long service trucks will also be superior.  Potential flood hazards will likely be less too.

P.S. The Hyatt can't even handle parking for its own events.  I don't see them able to accommodate anything more. Maybe JTA could use U2C (not!) to shuttle patrons to the sports complex and everyone is happy  .

[Steve]

There are positives to a convention center near the stadium-land and parking being the main two. But, the Four Seasons isn't a convention hotel. Aside from the capacity, they aren't generally in the market of mass room discounts/convention rates.

No one else is building a 1,000 room hotel downtown anytime soon. Plus, I like the idea of the convention center (and its corporate attendees on expense accounts) feeding the elbow during the early/mid week, while the locals can feed it late in the week/weekends.

[Zac T]

I know this was brought up before and dissed here, but I still think a convention center amidst the stadiums/arena complex is a viable option.  Lots of existing parking that could be shared and the ability to co-host events with the stadiums/arena.  Add now a hotel with the Four Seasons (albeit not the size of the Hyatt).  However, with Khan owning the fairgrounds (will he pitch that as a convention site?!) and its potential to host hotels plus his dream still of an entertainment complex, the area has much to offer over the next few years.  Nearby will also be riverfront parks, the Navy ship and MOSH (maybe) that also could support event break-outs.  Access for long service trucks will also be superior.  Potential flood hazards will likely be less too.

P.S. The Hyatt can't even handle parking for its own events.  I don't see them able to accommodate anything more. Maybe JTA could use U2C (not!) to shuttle patrons to the sports complex and everyone is happy  .

Anything that gets built at The Ford on Bay lots, whether a convention center or private development, would require a sizeable parking garage which would solve the parking issue. Considering the Hyatt has right of first refusal, I'd imagine they would want a development there that would only benefit their operations

If there wasn't already an existing convention hotel with two massive vacant lots next to it right in the heart of our entertainment district then building a convention center by the stadium would definitely make sense. But considering the above, this is a no-brainer and would be a boon to the true core of Downtown. Plus with the future Hard Rock, Riverfront Plaza Hotel, and Laura Trio hotels, you have 300-500 additional rooms being planned all within walking distance of this site

[Steve]

^This. Plus, there's a number of vacant lots so if the convention business really takes off, you can get some complimentary Select Service Hotels (Courtyards, Springhills, Hamptons, etc.). Those are popular around convention centers for those that have to attend but want to save a few bucks over the generally higher-priced convention hotels.

To me it's the only site that could spark development around it, unless you want to do nothing until JSO completely vacates the Jail site (then you're still disconnected from the Hyatt and you still have the problem of the vacant lot behind it which the owners have no incentive to do anything with unless it benefits them.

I'm pretty passionate about this topic, given I'm at between 5-8 conventions/trade shows a year for my day job. Jacksonville won't be Atlanta/Chicago/Orlando/New York/Vegas/New Orleans in terms of conventions. But it doesn't have to be to get their share of the pie.

[Jones518]

I get the feeling that the "powers that be" already have an inkling and/or ideas regarding a new Convention Center "somewhere" Downtown. We'll see what happens. For them to just give up the Prime Osborn to UF and raze/demolish the Convention Center portion at the Prime Osborn, they must already have some type of plan, proposals, etc. in mind.

Yeah, there's a pretty good consensus there should be a convention center, and that it must be downtown. The main debate is over whether to put it by the Hyatt (my personal preference, for clustering and price reasons) or another spot, presumably as part of a bigger development. We aren't anywhere close to selecting a site or putting out bids yet, however.

I agree that the parcel adjacent to the Hyatt combined with the Hyatt itself—is the most ideal site for a new convention center. The clustering benefits are clear, along with the close proximity to amenities like the Riverwalk, riverfront, hotels, dining, elbow district, etc.

I envision a new construction: vertical, mixed-use convention center with ground-floor retail, a structured parking podium (approx. 5–6 floors), and large, flexible meeting and exhibition spaces above (6–12+ floors). There's also an opportunity to add more hotel beds on the upper floors to directly support convention demand.

This approach maximizes land efficiency, strengthens the downtown core, and reinforces a walkable, amenity-rich convention district rather than a standalone facility.

[Jankelope]

I think it's a no brainer. It also would help bolster that Hyatt occupancy rate hopefully. I would be curious what the justification would be for considering any other space for convention.

Also...wasn't there discussion of a Hard Rock hotel considering that Ford on Bay space? Did that kind of fizzle?

[Tacachale]

I think it's a no brainer. It also would help bolster that Hyatt occupancy rate hopefully. I would be curious what the justification would be for considering any other space for convention.

Also...wasn't there discussion of a Hard Rock hotel considering that Ford on Bay space? Did that kind of fizzle?

Hard Rock is looking at the Berkman 2 site. Discussions are continuing. Re other convention sites, there's talk of it being part of other larger development. Such a thing would be years away, were it to progress at all.

[marcuscnelson]

^ Isn't the clock starting to tick on when UF gets around to wanting to redevelop the Prime Osborn? How many years away can such a thing afford to be before we start risking either artificially capping the new campus or going without a convention center?