Looking back, looking forward

The start of a new year is a combination of closure and anticipation. In that blink of a moment between 11:59:59 and 12:00:00, we bid farewell to the old year, sometimes closing the door gently behind us, other times slamming it and embrace the beautiful (terrifying?) unknown of a fresh 12 months.

It is also a time for reflection and we at The Resident are taking this opportunity to look back at some of the events of 2022 while turning a keen eye to some of what we can look forward to in the coming year.

Looking Back:

1. Jacksonville’s Bicentennial

Jacksonville residents celebrated their city’s bicentennial last summer.
Jacksonville residents celebrated their city’s bicentennial last summer.

It’s been a big year for our city. Your 200th birthday only comes once and the City did not miss the opportunity to celebrate in style. The Resident reported, “Thousands of Jacksonville residents lined the streets downtown on June 11th to celebrate 200 years of the River City’s rich history.” These celebrations included fireworks, a parade, and live music. Local institutions, like the Museum of Science and History, hosted historical exhibits showcasing our city’s first two centuries. Happy birthday, Jacksonville!

2. The Herschel Street Roundabouts

The Herschel Street Roundabouts are now complete, with the last work on them being completed in November.
The Herschel Street Roundabouts are now complete, with the last work on them being completed in November.

These roundabouts stretch back beyond this last year — back to 2020, in fact, when The Resident first reported discussions about the traffic features — but 2022 can lay claim as the year the roundabout construction officially began and ended. This past November, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) completed the asphalt stamping on the roundabouts’ truck apron and, after a series of inspections, wrapped the final component of the State Road 211 (St. Johns Avenue) from Herschel Street to Canterbury Street Intersection Improvements Project.

3. Shoppes East San Marco

Publix celebrated the grand opening of its long-awaited San Marco location at the Shoppes East San Marco in September.
Publix celebrated the grand opening of its long-awaited San Marco location at the Shoppes East San Marco in September.

If medals were being handed out for most anticipated construction, the Shoppes East San Marco would probably take home the gold. Discussions about the Herschel Street roundabouts may date back to 2020, but the recently-opened Publix at the new shopping center at Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard have been talked about since 2002. At the Aug. 11 grand opening event, The Resident interviewed a pair of 18-year-olds who said they’d been waiting for that day quite literally their entire lives. More businesses will soon be joining Publix in the new shopping center, including Orangetheory Fitness, Crumbl Cookies, St. Johns Eye Associates, Gemma Fish + Oyster and Foxtail Coffee.

4. Memorial Park Restoration

Per its “Master Plan,” the Memorial Park Association oversaw renovations of the iconic park last summer to restore it to its original grandeur.
Per its “Master Plan,” the Memorial Park Association oversaw renovations of the iconic park last summer to restore it to its original grandeur.

Memorial Park pays tribute to Florida’s fallen soldiers in World War I. “Spiritualized Life” the famous sculpture by Charles Adrian Pillars, stands before the St. Johns River, the park’s guardian and icon. This year, in anticipation of its own centennial anniversary in 2024, Memorial Park underwent restorations to bring back its original, early 20th century grandeur.The Resident reported on the construction last August as part of the Memorial Park Association’s “Master Plan,” established in 2013. The construction gates were removed later in the year and now park visitors can do their own small time traveling by visiting this beautifully restored park.

5. USS Orleck

The USS Orleck officially opened to the public in September.
The USS Orleck officially opened to the public in September.

A proud military city, Jacksonville celebrated the highly anticipated arrival of the USS Orleck,  retired destroyer turned museum. The Orleck arrived in Jacksonville in March and officially opened to the public in September. As The Resident reported in its October issue, the opening of the Orleck was like a dream come true for Jacksonville Naval Museum President Daniel Bean.

6. Borowy Family Children’s Critical Care Tower

The Borowy Family Children’s Critical Care Tower opened in April.
The Borowy Family Children’s Critical Care Tower opened in April.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Baptist Health celebrated the opening of the new Borowy Family Children’s Critical Care Tower in April last year. The tower consists of five floors for “dedicated intensive care for the region’s children,” The Resident reported. It was made possible through a “landmark donation” from the Borowy Family Foundation, received in 2021. In November, the Borowy Family was recognized at the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) FL, First Coast Chapter’s National Philanthropy Day Luncheon and awarded its Outstanding Philanthropist award.

Looking FORWARD:

7. One Riverside Groundbreaking

One Riverside celebrated its groundbreaking ceremony in September.
One Riverside celebrated its groundbreaking ceremony in September.

Last year marked the end of an era for Jacksonville as it bid farewell to the Florida Times-Union building at 1 Riverside Avenue. Demolition of the building took place last spring and September saw a groundbreaking ceremony for the incoming mixed-use development named, aptly, One Riverside. In its October issue, The Resident reported the first of three constructions phases will include a restaurant and 270 residential units “while also enhancing connectivity and access to the Riverwalk.” Retail space, a Whole Foods Market and a city park are also planned for One Riverside.

8. RiversEdge – Life on the St. Johns

A rendering of the completed RiversEdge: Life on the St. Johns. Render provided by Preston Hollow Community Capital, LLC.
A rendering of the completed RiversEdge: Life on the St. Johns. Render provided by Preston Hollow Community Capital, LLC.

Excitement continues to grow for RiversEdge: Life on the St. Johns, the Southbank project currently under construction at the vacant lot once belonging to JEA. After the project ceremoniously broke ground in May 2021, infrastructure work has been underway for much of 2022. In a June article last year, The Resident reported vertical construction will begin once the infrastructure is completed. Preston Hollow Community Capital, LLC is the project’s developer. The Resident reported, “Once completed, the 32-acre expanse is expected to offer 200,000 square feet of office space and 134,000 square feet of retail space as well as 950 residential units,147 hotels rooms and a 125-slip marina.”

9. Jacksonville Historical Society’s Music Museum

A conceptual rendering of JAMM’s exterior (though not the final design). Rendering by DooWell Design and Consulting.
A conceptual rendering of JAMM’s exterior (though not the final design). Rendering by DooWell Design and Consulting.

Last year, the Jacksonville Historical Society (JHS) shared conceptual renderings for the Jacksonville Area Music Museum (JAMM), to be housed in what will be the converted and refurbished Florida Casket Company building. According to the JHS website, the Downtown Development Review Board gave final approval for the design plans and “construction will begin immediately upon issuance of building permits.” The historic, 100-plus-year-old building will be the perfect venue to showcase Jacksonville’s rich, musical history for residents and visitors.

10. The HUB – Brooklyn

A rendering of The HUB - Brooklyn, provided by Joe Cronk (Cronk Duch Architecture/CD+urban).
A rendering of The HUB – Brooklyn, provided by Joe Cronk (Cronk Duch Architecture/CD+urban).

Plans to transform a former Studebaker warehouse into the HUB – Brooklyn, a “pedestrian oasis,” are more than two years in the making, but architect Joe Cronk said site work was expected to begin by the end of 2022, early January with hopes to be open by the end of the year. Cronk is part of Cronk Duch and CD+urban, the project’s architecture firm and development group, respectively. Also involved with the project is partner  Southern Grounds & Co., which will open a new coffeehouse there along with several other dining options with the bulk of the seating al fresco.

11. RD River City Brewery Apartments

Jacksonville’s landmark River City Brewery was demolished last summer to make way for RD River City Brewery, which will include apartments and a restaurant.
Jacksonville’s landmark River City Brewery was demolished last summer to make way for RD River City Brewery, which will include apartments and a restaurant.

Jacksonville bid farewell to another landmark locale last year as the shuttered River City Brewery was demolished to make way for the RD River City Brewery. The restaurant closed in July 2021 and a year later, demolition began to clear the site for the incoming apartments and restaurant development. In August, The Resident reported, “Miami-based developer Related Group plans to replace the former restaurant with RD River City Brewery, an eight-story residential complex with on-site restaurant space.” Downtown Jacksonville’s website states, “The City will finance the restoration of a 29-slip marina and boat ramp at the site.”

By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News

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