Duval Times

The City of Jacksonville is progressing with plans to provide the University of Florida with 23 acres for a new graduate campus in downtown Jacksonville. This initiative awaits approval through an open and public disposition process. The parcels will first go through the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) process, starting at the Retail Enhancement and Property Disposition Committee on February 13, followed by a full board vote on February 19. If approved by DIA, the proposals will proceed to the City Council.

For Site A, spanning 2.36 acres, plans include designing and constructing a building of at least 60,000 square feet with an $80 million capital investment. The design phase is expected to commence in late 2025.

Site B covers 1.22 acres and involves constructing a building with at least 20,000 square feet and a $20 million investment. It will feature publicly accessible retail space on the ground floor facing the Emerald Trail.

The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center will remain operational under city use for five years or more. The University of Florida must complete development on Site A and begin construction on Site B before redeveloping this site.

The historic train station parcel, covering 2.13 acres next to the convention center, is set for redevelopment inspired by Denver’s Union Station after five years have passed and construction on Site A is finished.

These developments aim to support efforts to reinstate passenger rail service in downtown Jacksonville while maintaining ticketing facilities within the renovated historic train station building.

Classes are anticipated to start in an existing building at 801 W. Bay Street in 2025, expanding further in 2026. This property belongs to Gateway Jax's subsidiary, which has proposed additional development along Riverfront Plaza’s northeast corner that includes public amenities like a sky garden terrace.

To facilitate these plans, Jacksonville will swap land parcels including Riverfront Plaza Development Pad and East Landing Parking Lot for the site at 801 W. Bay Street ensuring equitable land value exchange.