The proposed restaurant in the eight-acre park is consistent with the Chamber’s long-held position that activating the waterfront is key to downtown redevelopment
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 20, 2024)– The JAX Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously last week to support a proposed restaurant as part of Riverfront Plaza in Downtown Jacksonville.
The eight-acre park now under construction at the former Jacksonville Landing site on the St. Johns River will be a destination and signature waterfront attraction for residents and visitors. In order to fully activate the riverfront, the Chamber has long advocated for a variety of uses to draw people to the downtown waterfront. In addition to the greenspace, pathways and playground proposed for the park, a long-planned restaurant with outdoor seating is also an essential component.
Plans for the Riverfront Plaza have been the subject of much public discussion and input, and the idea of a restaurant has always been included in the proposal.
“To fully activate the waterfront, cities must have a variety of things for people to do,” JAX Chamber Chair Mark Bennett said. “A restaurant with outdoor seating inside a massive riverfront park is an important amenity that should continue to be part of this plan.”
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, McCoys Creek, and Hogans Creek.
The Downtown Investment Authority Board of Directors is scheduled to discuss the restaurant proposal at its regular meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
About JAX Chamber
The JAX Chamber is the business membership organization dedicated to driving quality economic growth in Northeast Florida to make this region the best 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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