COLUMN: Jacksonville's Evolution of Urban Waterfront Living

July 1st, 2008 — By Colleen Riley

The personality and vibrancy of many cities is often linked to the personality of the navigable body of water adjacent to it.

San Francisco is the “city by the bay”. Chicago is framed by Lake Michigan, the largest of the Great Lakes. Manhattan is surrounded by New York Harbor.

In years past, goods and services were dispersed from barges and ships that docked at these ports thereby drawing jobs and creating communities of diverse populations.

Today these ports have evolved into centers for social events and community gathering. Jacksonville is one such city. Our fortune is that our city’s energy draws from the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Jacksonville is now emerging as a city known for its art, culture, sports and social interaction. Our city boasts of 68 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline and 300 miles of St. Johns River front.

Venture to the Southbank River Walk with panoramic views of the Jacksonville skyline. Cross over the Main St. Bridge to the Times-Union Performing Arts center, the Florida Theater, Alltel Stadium, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, museums with extensive collections of priceless art and sculptures and all that newly-revitalized downtown Jacksonville has to offer.

Residents of San Marco, Jacksonville’s very first town center dating back to the 1920’s, live parallel to the St. Johns River. A short walk to San Marco Square and one discovers a quaint village with restaurants, art galleries and entertainment.

Drive over the Ortega Bridge and you pass over the Ortega River, a tributary that feeds into the St. Johns River. Go further on the Northbank and you’re in Ortega, Riverside and Avondale. In all of these eclectic urban areas you’ll find restaurants, museums, art galleries and historic homes galore!

Those in the planning and development world know that urban, waterfront communities don’t happen by accident. Rather, they are the product of strategic planning and precise execution.

It typically takes between 10-25 years of ongoing planning for waterfront venues to be realized. In our own city for example, the movement began in the 1980’s with the construction of the Southbank Riverwalk and Metropolitan Park.

The planning continues today.

In 2006, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) created four task forces that focus on advancing Jacksonville’s urban development:

Retail, Housing, Infrastructure and Pedestrian Experience, and Open Space on the River. The Open Space on the River task force is addressing the need for greater public access to the St. Johns River and an increased number of extensions from the Riverwalk to other Jacksonville neighborhoods.

Essential to achieving the task force’s goals are:

1.) Upgrade the Northbank Riverwalk and move forward with plans to extend the Southbank Riverwalk.

2.) Create Riverwalk extensions that link downtown with Riverside, Avondale and San Marco thereby drawing more pedestrian traffic downtown to enjoy shopping and entertainment.

3.) Provide greater access to the Riverwalk from the water using water taxis.

4.) Encourage ongoing public use of these amenities by bringing more marine themed activities to the St. Johns River.

As the urban waterfront matures over the years, only pockets of opportunity exist. In many cases today, the demand for waterfront living is being met by boutique condominiums which are diverse and market-driven.

Examples include 1616 River Road in San Marco, the River Homes at Ortega Landing and Old San Jose on the River.

Our city has an incredible history but still remains in its youth. The urban energy of Jacksonville is as strong as a gale force wind. Yet, the evolutions of our waterfront neighborhoods are gradually shaping the personalities of the very communities of people they serve.

(Colleen Riley is a project manager for C. Atkerson, Inc., developer of 1616 River Road in San Marco and Old Town Villages in St. Augustine, Fla.)