Editorial: We have a vision; we need a plan for downtown Jacksonville
Our view
The DIA wants “a world-class Downtown urban landscape and waterfront” as outlined in its 2015 Master Plan. Mayor Lenny Curry has his backroom deals. The coalition of nonprofits called Riverfront Parks Now is clamoring to keep public access and resiliency the priorities for the riverfront.
But what do we have? A 13-year-old cavernous hulk of a building begging to be demolished overlooking a contaminated former industrial site in the shadow of the jail and a once popular city park that has lost its identity.
On the other side of a riverfront hotel, where Marines are bivouacked until summer, is more vacant land. For decades it was the City Hall and Courthouse, now it’s greenspace dubbed Ford on Bay that is full of potential. It’s been envisioned as the site of a new convention center, a multi-use development or a riverfront park. Under the Acosta Bridge is the vacant newspaper buildings awaiting a
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