A Nov. 29 soft opening is scheduled for the city park at Riverfront Plaza, the Downtown site of the demolished Jacksonville Landing.
During an update of private and public projects at the Nov. 18 Downtown Investment Authority board meeting, DIA Capital Projects Manager Scott Wilson said the opening of the $38 million first phase of the park would occur during the city’s inaugural Holiday River Fest, which includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Riverfront Plaza and the annual Light Boat Parade on the St. Johns River.
According to a Nov. 13 release from the city, the tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. with the lighting at 6:15 p.m.
The light boat parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fireworks are planned after the parade at about 8 p.m.
The first phase of the park includes a playground on top of a pavilion building, an event lawn, new bulkhead, improved Riverwalk and plaza space connecting to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
According to the city’s I Dig Jax website, the initial phase is expected to be complete in early 2026. The site says construction of the second phase will begin by the end of 2025. Plans for it include a beer garden and rain garden, plus a bicycle and pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge.
Construction of Riverfront Plaza began in July 2023.
The Jacksonville Landing was a two-story festival marketplace with stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. It was demolished in 2019.