Urban Construction Update: Winter 2025

[jaxlongtimer]

Interesting that most towers in NYC go without names on them (maybe because there are so many skyscrapers it would be hard to see the signs?).  Jax seems to have more than its fair share.

For NYC, codes are very strict on this. Even moreso when there is residential nearby, which is practically everywhere in the city. MetLife was grandfathered in. Salesforce took advantage of a loophole. And the other most prominent branded skyscraper (H&M) is in Times Square, which is exempt from the signage ordinances, by way of already being a big obnoxious billboard to begin with.

There is one other notable NYC exception:  The RCA-GE-Comcast/NBC tower in Rockefeller Center.  The MetLife building was originally signed by PanAm Airlines.

[Ken_FSU]

Was just driving down Riverside and it looks like site work might be imminent for Whole Foods.

[Jagsdrew]

Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?

Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)

[Ken_FSU]

I've got a question too.

The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

[acme54321]

Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?

Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)

I was wondering about Block Nine the other day.  Is McCoys landing the apartment complex that was proposed at Myrtle and Dennis?  I assumed that one was dead.

[Captain Zissou]

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

From what i've heard, historically, being added to the 5 year CIP is strictly performative.  Projects can be skipped by other projects and there's no guaranty that something in the 5 year CIP will be added to a budget in any year.  I heard that for that reason, Mayor Deegan is doing away with the 5 year concept since it has no teeth.

[riverside_mail]

Noticed on the DVI 2024 Report/Website that a few projects still 'in review' but it's been some time since an update. Any details on these?

Block Nine
Lenox on Park
McCoy's Landing (Notated on report but no details)

Last I heard, Lenox on Park was waiting for the Park Street improvement to be finished before anything moves forward.

[fsu813]

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

There is. Timeline depends on what exactly is going where the former American Lions tower was proposed. That half of the park's infrastructure was planned around a gigantic (improbable) tower, which some would argue may not even be the ideal fit for that space. Riverfront Parks Now, which I'm involved with, advocates for either a smaller mid-rise tower, if there's legit market interest, which wouldn't necessitate as much infrastructure work, or a small Brooklyn Hub-like development that would primarily engage/activate the pedestrian level. Changing X impacts Y, so it's complicated. But some changes may actually save time....

[Tacachale]

I've got a question too.

The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there’s $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It’s on target for its completion date.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

From what i've heard, historically, being added to the 5 year CIP is strictly performative.  Projects can be skipped by other projects and there's no guaranty that something in the 5 year CIP will be added to a budget in any year.  I heard that for that reason, Mayor Deegan is doing away with the 5 year concept since it has no teeth.

Close. Previously there was a “Beyond Year 5” category in the CIP that was kind of a catchall for projects, and there was a tendency to add more projects than could be reasonably finished in a year, so stuff just kind of got stuck there. We’ve done away with that category, and now only add as many new projects to the CIP as got funded and pulled off that year. It’s more realistic, and better for the city’s credit too.

[Ken_FSU]

I've got a question too.

The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there’s $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It’s on target for its completion date.

FANTASTIC news.

Thanks for the update, Bill!

[jcjohnpaint]

Awesome!

[Charles Hunter]

I've got a question too.

The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there’s $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It’s on target for its completion date.

Does this mean that Phase 2 will proceed even if nothing happens on the development pad in the northeast corner of Riverfront Plaza?

[Tacachale]

I've got a question too.

The article mentions that Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza is currently unfunded.

Am I crazy, or don't we have $70 million (trimmed from $90 million by the typical hologram crusaders) allocated in the five-year CIP (on top of the $56 million in the CBA) to finish Riverfront Plaza, Shipyards West, and Metropolitan Park?

There's no universe where we don't complete Riverfront Plaza (civic stairs, beer garden, pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge, etc) in the next few years is there?

Just an old figure. Just for Phase 2 there’s $10 million in the CIP for fiscal year 2025-26 and $25 million for 26-27, plus $10 million from the CBA. It’s on target for its completion date.

Does this mean that Phase 2 will proceed even if nothing happens on the development pad in the northeast corner of Riverfront Plaza?

That’s my understanding, yes.

[acme54321]

The city has issued permits for the Vystar Park right field building that is already half complete:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/jan/13/city-permits-construction-of-115-million-right-field-building-at-vystar-park/

[riverside_mail]

Looks like they are clearing the lot for the Whataburger at Cassat and College.