J Magazine Winter 2018

BROOKLYN DISTRICT HOT, HOT, HOT
What Hallmark Partners started with its market-rate
apartments at 220 Riverside — John Q. Cynic said
nobody would pay the rents — has turned into
a hot spot in Brooklyn. And another market-rate
apartment building is on the way next door.
A Fresh Market is exactly the sort of grocery store that Downtown
has lacked. Retail is still following.
Park Street property is being snatched up. Drab industrial
buildings are being transformed into chic retail and service spots like
the new doggie daycare, Bark at Park. Also, 15,000 square feet of retail
space is planned for Riverside Avenue and Leila Street.
Grand plans for Brooklyn include the restoration of McCoys Creek.
Money has been budgeted by the city of Jacksonville to turn the creek
into something special in the long-neglected neighborhood.
The creek empties into the St. Johns River under the Times-Union
building, which is a classic case of shining your light in a barrel. The
newspaper staff will be moving from the building in early 2019, and
the hope is that the Morris family owners will open the creek to the
sky as part of its redevelopment.
Meanwhile, a Marriott Residence Inn is on the way at the corner
of Magnolia and Forest streets. Initial complaints about its suburban
design eventually were resolved.
Fears of gentrification from the residents of Brooklyn should be
eased by plans by Vestcor for affordable and workplace housing, the
Lofts at Brooklyn.
Groundwork Jacksonville’s exciting urban trail project is expected
to begin in Brooklyn. Park Street at the viaduct would be split in two
with one side devoted to pedestrians and bicyclists. That urban trail
would extend north for about 2 miles.
There also are big plans to use a “road diet” in Brooklyn, which
MCCOYS CREEK
means narrowing roads while providing more space for bicycles and
pedestrians.
At the far end of Brooklyn will be a separate pedestrian bridge as
part of the Fuller Warren Bridge expansion project. It will connect
Northbank and Southbank and offer stunning views of the St.
Johns.
STADIUM DISTRICT BIG-TIME PLANS
LOT J/SHIPYARDS
Any mention of the stadium
district has to include Jacksonville
Jaguars owner Shad Khan and
his development group, Iguana
Investments.
Khan’s public-private partnerships with
the city have turned the football stadium, now
TIAA Bank Field, into one of the most enjoyable
venues in the National Football League. The
huge scoreboard, the pool and the dog park are
part of the fan-friendly scene.
In the works is an entertainment zone on
Lot J that will use the expertise of the Cordish
Companies, a group that has set up such services
in other NFL and major league baseball cities.
Once the Hart Bridge ramp is removed, the
Shipyards development will have a riverfront
view. And in answer to John Q. Cynic, taking
down the ramp actually will improve traffic,
especially to the Talleyrand docks as well as into
Downtown.
Intuition Ale Works and Manifest Distilling
are already in the nearby Doro district, and there
is talk of more retail and entertainment venues.
WINTER 2018-19 | J MAGAZINE 21