The year 2022 could be a pivotal one for downtown Jacksonville.
With hundreds of millions of dollars worth of real estate development already in the pipeline in the urban core, that momentum should continue to build over the next 12 months.
Here are three key things to watch:
Riverfront activation:
From Northbank developments like One Riverside in the west to Shad Khan’s luxury hotel and office building in the east, there’s plenty of riverfront property that could begin to look radically different over the next year.
Simultaneously, there’s a push to take advantage of the St. Johns River by providing more ways for Jaxons to interact with it. Expect to see some of the findings from the duPont Funds’ riverfront study start to take shape, along with events like Downtown Vision’s Sip & Stroll on the Southbank.
And don’t forget One Park Jax to be developed on the site of the former Jacksonville Landing, which is expected to take significant steps in 2022.
More apartment development:
The multifamily market in Jacksonville is on fire, and experts say downtown is poised to take advantage of the apartment boom.
There are already more than 6,800 downtown residents, with an overall goal of growing that number to 10,000. Several apartment buildings are already underway in the greater downtown area, and multifamily professionals say there are several developers looking at possible development sites in the city.
With more downtown residents, city and business officials say the downtown area could finally begin to reach its potential.
Laura Street Trio:
Southeast Development's plan to revive the three historic buildings on the corner of Laura Street should get fully underway in the year ahead. The buildings, which have been vacant for decades, will be completely renovated into a mixed-use development that will feature a Marriott Autograph hotel.
City Council this fall approved a $24.7 million incentive package for the project.
Bringing those buildings back to life should have a huge impact on the central core of the city, and help spark further activity in the surrounding blocks.
Get the full story from the Jacksonville Business Journal.