Upon being appointed to the board of directors of the Downtown Investment Authority last year, a few other volunteers and I were pushed directly into the deep end of the development swimming pool. Due to expired terms or vacancies on the board, along with leadership transitions in both Mayor Donna Deegan's office and Jacksonville City Council, there was simply no time to ease into the work.
While these transitions were taking place, the demands on us continued at a frenetic pace.
These demands include fielding calls from local and out-of-town developers; answering questions and providing updates at City Council committee meetings; negotiating multimillion-dollar development agreements; recruiting small businesses and helping them navigate the bureaucracy of local government regulations.
We also visit project sites to work through delays and complications or celebrate the completion and opening of a years-long project, so the agency is constantly in motion. While it may be easy to see stagnation and empty promises when walking around downtown Jacksonville, it is also not hard to notice recent additions to downtown and new ones on the way.
These are evidenced by lane closures, dust, orange cones and cranes — all of which signify real progress and exciting momentum.
People who live and work downtown often want to know why things aren’t better. Why aren’t there more restaurants, shops, services and places to gather along our beautiful St. Johns River? Visitors to Jacksonville from out of town and other states (particularly successful, sophisticated developers) often ask why Jacksonville hasn’t tapped into what they see as obvious opportunity and potential.
The reality is that downtown Jacksonville does have more to offer, with more on the way. VyStar’s new campus, Vista Brooklyn on Riverside Avenue, Hardwick’s on Adams Street and the amazingly revamped Friendship Fountain on the Southbank are just a few recently completely downtown projects. Each of these also happen to be finalists for Urban Land Institute North Florida’s Awards for Excellence.
The list of downtown projects currently under construction, permitting or planning is inspiring. Riverfront Plaza is being built while millions have been secured for its sister riverfront parks. In 2024 alone, eight new restaurants have been approved through our food and beverage retail enhancement program.
The Four Seasons project is going vertical and the Artea luxury apartments on the Southbank are nearing completion. Also this year, Gateway Jax is scheduled to break ground on its $500 million multi-block project that will transform the Pearl Street area and the Cathedral Lofts is actively leasing units.
For the first time in decades, McCoy’s Creek will see the light of day in downtown and two-way streets will return to Adams and Forsyth. LaVilla is now home to the only for-sale new construction in downtown, while also celebrating its history with the inspirational Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park.
The interest in city-owned property from both local and out-of-town investors is real and some of the proposed projects are game-changing for Jacksonville.
However, the Downtown Investment Authority and city of Jacksonville can do more for downtown. Both the team and its board know this; they are constantly working toward setting realistic and aspirational goals, improving efficiencies and tackling difficult or unpopular issues, while asking more of themselves and the development community.
The desire to continue improving the experience of working and living in a vibrant downtown is real. As board chair, I am inspired by the constant response and performance of the Downtown Investment Authority and other stakeholders working toward the betterment of the city. Together we are transforming our riverfront parks, increasing residential options, programming events, growing small businesses and embarking on a leadership transition.
Using inspiration to constantly reach for greater goals is momentum. Downtown Jacksonville’s future is only limited by our commitment to keep the momentum going.
By Patrick Krechowski
Guest columnist & DIA Board Chair
Florida Times Union