Southbank residents recently invited Jacksonville Parks Director Daryl Joseph to a meeting June 4 to thank him for his continued support and share praise for the City’s beautification efforts along the Riverwalk. Also in attendance were George Foote, representing Council Member Joe Carlucci’s office, and Al Ferraro, now serving as the City of Jacksonville’s lead on blight elimination.
Representatives from neighboring buildings—including the Peninsula, and San Marco Place—gathered in the San Marco Social Room for the meeting to discuss next steps for the area and highlight recent progress.
Following introductions, Joseph reflected on past communications with the community groups along the Riverwalk. He recalled receiving a detailed request for improvements years ago from Sandra Fradd, who organized the current meeting and formerly led the Downtown Dwellers group.
“It was a list, but it was also a request to meet; a request to understand,” Joseph said. “And, I will say, that meeting put us on the same page.”
Joseph praised Fradd’s clear and organized outreach.
“Just from a communications standpoint, thank you for that,” he said.
The conversation shifted to the “road diet” along Prudential Drive, which was implemented after more than 155 accidents over several years plagued the area with safety issues. Local developer Mike Balanky, who built San Marco Place and has longstanding ties to the area, shared his remarks on the transformation.
“It’s [the road diet] created a calming effect for the area, and it’s really made a big difference,” Balanky said.
He emphasized that the Southbank, which he considers the gateway to Downtown, should reflect that importance with thoughtful design.
Balanky also called for more cohesive landscaping, well-maintained bridge abutments and the use of vegetation to create a more welcoming, residential atmosphere. He encouraged private and public partnerships to help fund beautification efforts and raise property values.
“We want our area to look good, to look like it’s reasonable people… to draw people to where we are,” said Fradd.
Another resident praised the new playground at the RiversEdge development, highlighting its family-friendly design and quality features. Joseph noted its early success, but also mentioned that its sister Riverwalk park – the St. Johns River Park, featuring a brand-new playground and the recently renovated Friendship Fountain – has already seen more 600,000 visitors, each spending an average of 35 minutes there.
“It’s a destination,” he said, while introducing Garrett Callis, the City’s Riverwalk Parks programming manager.
Residents, property managers and public officials left the meeting with a shared commitment to making Jacksonville’s Southbank a more vibrant and beautiful part of the city. Resident News will follow developments with readers as further plans materialize.
