JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 12, 2023) – The JAX Chamber Board of Directors supports the proposal to create Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Centers that would allow regulated alcohol salesand consumption along the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks.
The proposal opens the Riverwalk for people to purchase drinks in a branded plastic cup from participating vendors, including restaurants already along the Riverwalks Downtown Investment Authority, Downtown Vision, Inc. and Build Up Downtown have shown support for the Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Center.
Downtown Vision Inc.’s monthly Sip and Stroll eventon the Southbank Riverwalk on the third Thursday of the month have shown to be a popular way for people to experience the Riverwalk and this proposal was a result of the Chamber’s Destination Downtown Trip to Tampa in 2021. The Chamber believes creating this Jacksonville Riverwalk Specialty Center will improve Jacksonville’s waterfront experience.
“We need to continue to look at ways to activate the riverfront downtown, and this is a simple addition that can give people one more way to enjoy downtown,” JAX Chamber President and CEO Daniel Davis said. “It’s important that we look at things that have been successful other places and when we see something that works, as we did in Tampa in 2021, that we look for ways to replicate things that make sense for Jacksonville.”
In 2018, the JAX Chamber passed a resolution containing six key principles the Board believed was necessary for the development of Downtown. These include the expansion and improvement of waterfront access and amenities along St. Johns River, McCoy’s Creek, and Hogans Creek. The JAX Chamber Board of Directors voted late last year to support this Riverwalk proposal.
The proposal is now before the Jacksonville City Council, with a final vote expected later this month.
About JAX Chamber
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economicgrowth in Northeast Florida to make this region thebest place to live, work and play. Membership provides the opportunity to connect with and buy from other Chamber members. The connections result in business growth and a more prosperous economy.
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