Main Library
Following a December 2002 groundbreaking, work on the new Main Library just east of Hemming Plaza has progressed steadily. Most recently, the first of two tower cranes has been integrated into construction efforts on both the main facility and the adjacent parking garage.
The new library is nearly three times as large as the soon-to-be vacated Haydon Burns Library.
Designed by Robert A.M. Stern and budgeted at $95 million, key features of the five-story project — one of many downtown projects falling under the scope of the Better Jacksonville Plan — will include a 400-seat auditorium, satellite and video conferencing capabilities, an exterior courtyard, a 600-space parking garage with ground-level retail space and infrastructure to accommodate for future technological advancements.
A late 2004 ribbon cutting is anticipated.
Shipyards
Adding to the downtown housing boom is The Shipyards, an estimated $900 million residential project being constructed on 44-acres of riverfront property between Kids Kampus and Berkman Plaza.
On the higher end of the real estate spectrum, the three-phase project allows for 16.8 acres of public greenspace, 150 boat slips, hotel, retail and office components and a over 650 residential units; more than the 11 E. and The Carlington lofts combined.
The Shipyards project is in the first phase of development — condominiums, a riverfront park, a riverwalk and a marina — and construction of the bulkhead and foundation is underway.
Phase one residents are expected to move in by late 2004 with subsequent phases to follow a few years later.
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
With construction nearly 70 percent complete, the new sports and entertainment arena located off A. Philip Randolph Boulevard is being marketed as the $130 million answer to the recently imploded Coliseum. A groundbreaking was held in November 2001.
An obvious compliment to the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville, the arena boasts a capacity of 16,000, and Better Jacksonville officials predict it will attract more national entertainment events not available to Jacksonville in the past. And with 27,000 square feet of floor area, the arena will also have the capabilities to host arena football, hockey and basketball games.
Other features of the arena include four team locker rooms, 1,000 clubs seats and 28 suites.
The arena is scheduled to be finished by November.
Laura Street Place
Contingent upon gaining approval from the Historic Preservation Society and City Council, work on three buildings bordering Adams and Laura streets — the Bisbee, Florida Life and Marble Bank buildings — should begin by late 2003 or early 2004. Signet Development, with input from locally renowned architect Bob Broward, will head the restoration efforts on the $35 million project.
Billed as a “mixed use historic preservation project,” retail, residential, office and parking options will be incorporated into design elements. Current renderings have called for the development of a public park that will, ultimately, be donated to the City upon its completion.
Barring unexpected complications because of the historic aspects of the buildings, representative say work should be completed with 18 to 22 months of the start date.
County Courthouse
Though touted as being “one of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art” facilities once construction wraps at the new Duval County Courthouse, vertical progress has been minimal while “site preparation” continues. Currently, remaining structures on the lot are being demolished while utility relocation issues are being addressed by courthouse officials.
Internal logistics and courtroom technology concerning the 900,000 square-foot project are being overseen by a group of Circuit Court judges, including Lance Day, Mallory Cooper and A.C. Soud.
Located near the new U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville, provisions for the county courthouse — budgeted at $211 million — include 43 courtrooms with adjacent conference rooms, separate trafficking for the public, judicial staff and prisoners, an expanded law library and additional Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office holding areas.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2005.
— by J. Brooks Terry