Jacksonville, Florida – It will be several days before the public learns about the stadium deal agreed to by the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday. However, the design process for Shipyards West is approximately 60% complete and moving forward steadily.
The project’s design team held an open house to give people a chance to view renderings and provide feedback.
Gina Ford, principal and co-founder of Agency Landscape and Planning, the project’s lead design firm, said Jacksonville is undergoing a riverfront renaissance.
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“Every park that’s designed has a different purpose and function for the community. Shipyards West is really great water access. There’s a kayak launch. We own the Orleck, so It has a lot of uses to really celebrate the maritime history here in Jacksonville, and we feel that’s really important,” Ford said.
People shared their opinions on the development and wrote feedback on sticky notes.
James Hammond is a lifelong Jacksonville resident and member of Aqua Jacks, an organization that works to make Jacksonville a more attractive place.
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One of the projects the group wants to do is expand the aquarium.
“Well, these are all pieces of the puzzle that will make downtown Jacksonville more alive and vibrant. Bring more people into downtown. Bring more people, like tourists coming to Florida, from interstate. Get me off Highway 95,” Hammond said. “We think they need to stop here in Jacksonville. So we need projects like this and others that make Jacksonville a destination rather than a transit point.”
Mr. Ford explained the next steps in the process.
“What we’re really looking forward to from the community today is feedback that the community is on the right track, and whether elements and equipment are in place. And if everyone feels collaborative. , we plan to move from 60% to 100% draw by the end of this year, and then we’ll basically be ready for bidding and construction,” Ford said.
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Regarding the stadium deal, Hammond said anything that makes Jacksonville a destination is positive.
“We hope this is a beneficial transaction for both the Jaguars organization and the taxpayers of Jacksonville,” Hammond said.
The team hopes to have the design completed by the end of the year.
Click here to learn more about the project or view renderings.
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