Construction to begin Monday on Jacksonville’s Riverfront Plaza

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The beginning steps of the Riverfront Plaza project started Wednesday.

Signs to close roads and divert traffic were put up on Wednesday. Actual construction, which includes the removal of the road, will begin Monday.

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The city said there will be road closures at the intersection of Water Street and Independent Drive as well as Hogan Street, which according to a street sign, will be closed from July 20 through December 22 during the construction process.

Supporters of the development say it will be a financial jolt for downtown businesses.

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The big green space in Downtown Jacksonville used to be the old site of The Jacksonville Landing.

“I remember The Landing used to have a fudgery inside. They would make fudge and give you little samples, the landing was a great place to gather,” said Jax local Kurtis Henderson.

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That was until it was torn down in 2020. After debating, the city of Jacksonville decided to use the space to build the Riverfront Plaza project.

Developers say this space will have a hotel, sky garden, outdoor dining and more within one year. The project was set to start weeks ago, but due to holidays and major events that would’ve contributed to heavy traffic in the area, the city delayed construction by one month.

“I hope that whatever comes in the future is a place we can gather in community,” Havens said.

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Jax locals and friends Henderson, Caroline Havens and Haley Cox say the city is evolving. They hope The Riverfront Plaza Project starts soon.

“I really do enjoy the sense of urgency that Jacksonville has with creating more community building. They’ve done riverside jams, the jazz fest every year, that big bouncy house,” Cox said.

The project will begin with the redesigning of Independent Drive, which is the street right across from the plaza.

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