Jacksonville seeks project for 70 riverfront acres

The city of Jacksonville started soliciting development proposals for 70 acres of city-owned waterfront land along the St. Johns River.

Shad Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars professional football team, already has expressed interest in acquiring the property, which encompasses a public park and a boat repair business called The Shipyards.

The city issued a notice stating it will accept development proposals for the land until March 8. The top-ranked developer would negotiate a project agreement with Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority.

“The city envisions a mix of residential and non-residential uses that have a focus on river and riverfront activation,” according to the notice. “Preservation of public open space and public access to the St. Johns River and Hogan’s Creek are essential to the successful redevelopment of the site.”

The city would sell or lease the 70 riverfront acres, which encompass Metropolitan Park, also known as Met Park.

The National Park Service could waive a federal grant requirement that Met Park remain a public park if the city of Jacksonville can establish another public park elsewhere. [Jacksonville Times Union] – Mike Seemuth