Downtown Investment Authority Issues Request for Proposal for Design of Former Jacksonville Landing Site, Now Riverfront Plaza

Jacksonville, FL (January 20, 2021) – The City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the selection of qualified design firms and their consultants, who will then participate in a design competition for the development of a vibrant and iconic public space on the premier waterfront site in Downtown Jacksonville now dubbed Riverfront Plaza, formerly The Jacksonville Landing. The competition will include presentations at a public workshop and will result in the selection of one team to complete the design. The DIA understands the magnitude and importance of this site and as such, the aesthetic, functional and programmatic design of the public space and the integration of public art to create a recognizable symbol of Downtown Jacksonville are paramount.

“We are so thrilled to release this much-anticipated RFP,” expressed Lori Boyer, DIA CEO. “We dedicated a lot of time and effort to prepare a scope and assign evaluation points that both reflect the significance of the site and effectively capture the critical requirements and input needed to activate this premiere space on our beautiful Riverwalk. We look forward to reviewing the submissions come March and wish all interested parties the best of luck.”

The RFP selection process is comprised of two parts. Part one includes submission of qualifications, which the City will evaluate, score and select three (3) shortlisted design teams to participate in a design competition. This selection is scheduled to occur prior to the end of March 2021. In the second half of the process, the three shortlisted design teams will receive a stipend to complete 50% designs where they will showcase their vision for the plaza, including how their design would interface with the future private development. The teams will present their 50% designs via public oral interviews in late June, allowing for public comment. The City will also solicit input from subject matter experts and Downtown stakeholders, all of which will be shared with the evaluation committee.

The selected winner of the design competition for the best qualified design will be invited to negotiate a full professional services design contract with the City, bringing design of the public space to 100%.
The City is working diligently to ensure the timeline of the park design and subsequent construction is coordinated with additional nearby public infrastructure improvements, such as the Hogan Street Cycle Track, the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts bulkhead restoration and Music Commons and bulkhead improvements at the Riverfront Plaza. As such, the City is taking reservations for use of the park between now and December 2021 and hopes to be under construction on the new public space by January of 2022.

Any questions regarding this RFP should be submitted via email to Dustin Freeman at dustinf@coj.net. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference will be held via Zoom on January 29^th at 11:00 am ET.