Riverfront Plaza Phase 2 Construction Accelerates Downtown Renewal

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Construction is underway on Phase 2 of Riverfront Plaza, the 6-acre public park transforming the former Jacksonville Landing site along the St. Johns River. The project, replacing the old entertainment venue, follows the Dec. 5, 2025, ribbon-cutting for Phase 1, which includes an elevated playground atop a pavilion building with café space, a flexible event lawn, new bulkhead, Riverwalk improvements and a plaza linking to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, according to the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA). Phase 2 targets the park's east end with features like a rain garden, interactive water feature, civic stairs, beer garden and a pedestrian ramp connecting directly to the Main Street Bridge. "The second phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027," said Daryl Joseph, Jacksonville’s director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, in a DIA news release. The $40 million phase follows Phase 1's $38 million investment, funded through city bonds and public-private partnerships outlined in the broader Riverfront Jacksonville Master Plan by Gensler, NELSON Worldwide and SWA Group. The master plan envisions over 15 acres of green space, 2.3 million square feet of mixed-use development including hotels, apartments, offices, retail and a food hall along the Northbank Riverwalk, per Gensler’s project page. The Riverfront Parks Conservancy, dedicated to stewarding downtown riverfront parks, promotes the site as a "Riverfront for All" with recreation, arts, dining and events. This progress aligns with Florida's infrastructure momentum, mirroring projects like the I-4 Ultimate widening and Brightline rail expansion, amid a 2.8% unemployment rate in April 2026. As a tropical depression threatens the Gulf Coast and the National Guard aids storm recovery statewide, Riverfront Plaza's resilient design—with rain gardens and elevated features—enhances Jacksonville's preparedness for severe weather, tying into the state's recovery narrative. Residents can monitor updates via dtjax.com and dia.jacksonville.gov, with Phase 1 already drawing crowds for events on the lawn near the performing arts center.