Eastern Pad/Parcel at Riverfront Plaza; What do you think will go there?

[jaxoNOLE]

^If, when all this is said and done, an initial rendering of a downtown Jax project actually undersold the final product, it will indeed be something we've not seen in decades. In fact, realizing the scenario you describe would require breaking with almost every precedent we've set here locally over the past 20+ years.

[Ken_FSU]

^If, when all this is said and done, an initial rendering of a downtown Jax project actually undersold the final product, it will indeed be something we've not seen in decades. In fact, realizing the scenario you describe would require breaking with almost every precedent we've set here locally over the past 20+ years.

vs.

[acme54321]

Lol

[jcjohnpaint]

Yep. That is the only reality I've ever experienced.

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

This just dropped.

DIA committee backs Baltimore-based company's seafood restaurant concept for Riverfront Plaza

Hopefully whatever gets done is complimentary high rise and restaurant.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/apr/30/dia-committee-backs-baltimore-based-groups-seafood-restaurant-concept-for-riverfront-plaza/

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

The PK rendering and offering looks good. Maybe if Riversedge can get their stuff together it can go there!

[Ken_FSU]

^I must admit, I absolutely love the PK concept. Live music at night. Accessible, everyday lunch and dinner menu for park goers. Rooftop bar. It's almost like Intuition, in a better location. I think it's the type of concept that could truly energize Riverfront Plaza and serve as an anchor for Laura Street.

I don't think the more upscale seafood concept brings the same type of energy or synergy to the space. Feels like it appeals more to the sleepy, tired old-boy River City Brewery valet crowd than the young professional or younger family pedestrian crowd that typically drives urban renewal. Ain't no one hanging out at the park with their friends or family and casually dropping in on a whim for a $40 grouper or $60 t-bone.

That said, the financials of the proposals are night and day different in favor of PK, and the RFP was built more closely around experience, operations, and financial capacity that what our collective end goal as a city is for the Laura Street Corridor.

No clue if the PK proposal is feasible - the rendering looks like AI - but if you think about what compliments an activated, 24/7, event-heavy spot like Riverfront Plaza, I think the microbrewery and more casual everyday restaurant with rooftop bar is PERFECT for something like Fourth of July or New Year's Eve or Georgia/Florida weekend or the Tree Lighting, and something like an upscale seafood and steak restaurant is a little more antithetical to everyday vibrancy. I'd argue that it's better to have someone coming 6 times a year at $25 a head than once a year at $60.

Absolutely think a restaurant has to go here, but would love it if the DIA built the RFPs from the position of a unified vision for how the Riverfront Plaza cafe shell, restaurant parcel, ambiguous "beer garden" area, and Gateway private development parcel complemented each other and work best together to achieve what we imagine Riverfront Plaza becoming long-term.

I'd go:
1. Something like the PK proposal (casual restaurant/live music/brewery) in the restaurant parcel
2. Ice cream/coffee in the Cafe Shell
3. Upscale dining in the Gateway Jax Tower
4. Beer Garden as a more casual outdoor cafe & bar

With the paved areas, benches, and beer garden of Riverfront Plaza being open carry from any of the bars/restaurants within the park.

[Nmhatt]

Absolutely think a restaurant has to go here, but would love it if the DIA built the RFPs from the position of a unified vision for how the Riverfront Plaza cafe shell, restaurant parcel, ambiguous "beer garden" area, and Gateway private development parcel complemented each other and work best together to achieve what we imagine Riverfront Plaza becoming long-term.

I'd go:
1. Something like the PK proposal (casual restaurant/live music/brewery) in the restaurant parcel
2. Ice cream/coffee in the Cafe Shell
3. Upscale dining in the Gateway Jax Tower
4. Beer Garden as a more casual outdoor cafe & bar

With the paved areas, benches, and beer garden of Riverfront Plaza being open carry from any of the bars/restaurants within the park.

I second this. In addition, there is a surface parking lot on the other side of Main Street next to the Hyatt garage. There was a proposal a while back for the "Ergisi Tower" on that parcel, but the DIA decided not to pursue it. I don't believe there have been any other proposals for the site since then. That said, if this plot were also focused on food service—along with the other locations listed by Ken—it would go a long way toward creating a true destination food corridor.

Since the demolition of The Landing, there have essentially been no riverwalk-facing businesses. If you are going to invest heavily in parks and brand yourself as "The River City," you need to provide people with options along the river for food and shopping. In a place like Savannah, the riverfront is lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. The entire riverfront becomes an attraction because of the synergy created by these complementary uses.

[Zac T]

Absolutely think a restaurant has to go here, but would love it if the DIA built the RFPs from the position of a unified vision for how the Riverfront Plaza cafe shell, restaurant parcel, ambiguous "beer garden" area, and Gateway private development parcel complemented each other and work best together to achieve what we imagine Riverfront Plaza becoming long-term.

I'd go:
1. Something like the PK proposal (casual restaurant/live music/brewery) in the restaurant parcel
2. Ice cream/coffee in the Cafe Shell
3. Upscale dining in the Gateway Jax Tower
4. Beer Garden as a more casual outdoor cafe & bar

With the paved areas, benches, and beer garden of Riverfront Plaza being open carry from any of the bars/restaurants within the park.

I second this. In addition, there is a surface parking lot on the other side of Main Street next to the Hyatt garage. There was a proposal a while back for the "Ergisi Tower" on that parcel, but the DIA decided not to pursue it. I don't believe there have been any other proposals for the site since then. That said, if this plot were also focused on food service—along with the other locations listed by Ken—it would go a long way toward creating a true destination food corridor.

Since the demolition of The Landing, there have essentially been no riverwalk-facing businesses. If you are going to invest heavily in parks and brand yourself as "The River City," you need to provide people with options along the river for food and shopping. In a place like Savannah, the riverfront is lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. The entire riverfront becomes an attraction because of the synergy created by these complementary uses.

A part of the Gateway Jax deal for the Riverfront Plaza pad is that they'd have an option for that parking lot once they complete development of the tower