Developers of the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District are celebrating the City Council’s passage of incentives and a rezoning for the mixed-use development north of Downtown.
On June 25, Council approved an incentive package totaling $5.5 million and rezoning to Planned Unit Development to permit commercial and multifamily uses in the district, which is in development by Miami-based Future of Cities and PHXJAX on an 8.3-acre site mostly bordered by Main, 15th and Liberty streets and an east-west rail line. The site mostly comprises abandoned industrial properties and green spaces.
In a June 28 news release, Future of Cities founder and CEO Tony Cho called the Council action a “pivotal milestone” for the project. Cho is the founding managing partner of PHXJAX.
“This incentive package is a testament to the collaborative outcomes possible through genuine public-private partnerships,” Cho said.
“This is a major win for all of Jacksonville including the local artists, small businesses, greater Downtown residents and overall community to demonstrate to the world that creativity and capital investments work best when they work together.”
Council voted 16-0 in favor of Resolution 2024-0418, which provides a $1.5 million city Recapture Enhanced Value Grant for the $37.9 million project, plus $2 million completion grants each for Phase One and Phase Two of construction. Members Rory Diamond and Ju’Coby Pittman were excused from the vote and member Joe Carlucci did not cast a vote.
The rezoning, contained in Ordinance 2024-0348, passed on a 17-0 vote with Diamond and Pittman excused.
The release describes the district as a “regenerative placemaking demonstration project” comprising 10 separate properties. The incentive funding will support the adaptive rehabilitation of four warehouses and green space into office space, artist studios, galleries, retail establishments and restaurants.
A property at 2335 Market St. will feature an outdoor market space and site for community activities.
The complex includes office space for the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business organization, a small-business incubator operated by the city.
Cho’s previous projects included the Wynwood Arts District and Magic City Innovation District Little Haiti, both in Miami.
“People always ask us, ‘Why Jacksonville?’ And we ask, ‘Why not Jacksonville?’” said Michael Weil, chief operating officer of Future of Cities and PHXJAX.
“Jacksonville has all the fundamentals to compete with other major Florida metros and it has been a true pleasure to work in Jacksonville with the support of the Mayor’s Office, City Council and the City’s exceptional, dynamic and diverse communities.”
Emily Pierce and Hayden Phillips from Rogers Towers led the rezoning efforts on behalf of PHXJAX.
