JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly $5 billion in development projects are in the pipeline across downtown Jacksonville.
The 2022 State of Downtown Report was recently released by Downtown Vision, Inc.
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Action News Jax spoke with Jake Gordon, CEO of Downtown Vision, Inc.
“A neighborhood is only as great as the people living there,” Gordon said.
In collaboration with the Downtown Investment Authority, the 40-page report gives an even broader look at the plans behind the many sights and sounds that fill the air downtown.
From creating a museum district that will house MOSH, the Jacksonville Fire Museum and the USS Orleck, to the 44-story tower that was just approved weeks ago at the former Jacksonville Landing site, city leaders say it’s about the people.
“Downtown as an epicenter -- we’ve always wanted more people living here,” Gordon said. “And to do that, you’ve got to give them more amenities and more reasons to live here.”
He said the City of Jacksonville, Mayor Curry, elected officials, the chamber of commerce, the DIA and so many others are hard at work to enhance downtown.
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The report shows that the number of residents has nearly doubled in the past five years and is set to double again. The projected growth means Downtown’s 7,500 residents will grow to more than 16,000 people calling Downtown home.
The report also shows that there are almost 4,500 multi-family residential units downtown. They expect that number to jump to around 10,000.
“A Whole Foods is coming, and things that you know really will make it a better place to live,” Gordon said.
The growth will also add to the creation of jobs and opportunities Downtown.
The report shows that there are more than 54,000 people working Downtown.
“I look forward to the growth,” said Kimberley Leonard. “We do love the fact that there are restaurants down here. It’s very convenient for us to leave the office, go to court and come back so that’s awesome.”
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Downtown Vision created an employee survey and found that almost 79% of people who took part said they like or love working downtown.
Gordon talked about the collaboration with the DIA.
“They’re busier than ever before with companies wanting to relocate to Jacksonville and to relocate to downtown,” Gordon said.
The report also shows that even though Downtown makes up less than one percent of Jacksonville by area -- 30% of Jacksonville’s office market inventory is located downtown.
Downtown is home to three Fortune 500 companies.
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Shayla Lee also works downtown and said all of the construction makes her feel hopeful and optimistic. She hopes to see more activities on the weekends and at night.
“I think we should do more to bring about entertainment downtown, as opposed to just residential places to live,” Lee said.
According to the report, more than 2,200 riverfront residential units are under construction or in review at One Riverside Avenue, RiversEdge: Life on the St. Johns, American Lions High Rise, The Hardwick at Ford on Bay, RD River City Brewery and The Shipyards (Four Seasons) – all with restaurant or retail components.
“We at Downtown Vision are dedicated to helping make downtown Jacksonville a better place,” Gordon said.
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