Representatives from the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars marked the opening of Downtown’s latest public improvement on Aug. 12, cutting the ribbon on the 78-slip Met Park Marina.
The marina, which sits on the north bank of the St. Johns River behind the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences and the adjacent One Tower Court office building, opens as the Jaguars prepare for their first home preseason game Aug. 21.
“The plan for our riverfront is designed to provide something for everyone to enjoy, and today’s celebration is another mark of that milestone in that effort,” said Daryl Joseph, the city’s director of parks, recreation and community services.
The marina is one of several projects Joseph’s department has completed along the Downtown riverfront in the last two years, joining the renovated Friendship Fountain, the first phase of Riverfront Plaza, RiversEdge and the Riverfront Music Garden . Those projects cost $8 million, $38 million, $35 million and around $7 million, respectively.
“This is great because it’s a lot more fun cutting ribbons vs. unveiling renderings, and here we have promises that were made, and now they’re being kept, and they’re being delivered,” said Mark Lamping, president of the Jaguars.
“We couldn’t be more proud to play a small part in helping Downtown Jacksonville realize its full potential.”
The marina shares space with the soon-to-open Asado Life restaurant. The Daily Record reported in 2025 that the restaurant was set to open this month. On Aug. 12, marina visitors could see a largely built-out restaurant with staff inside, although the restaurant is not operational.
F3 Marina and Shanna Collective, a real estate and design firm founded by Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s daughter, Shanna Khan, operate the marina.
Based in Wisconsin, F3 operates marinas around the country and internationally, and the Met Park Marina is its first in Jacksonville.
The $2 million marina project involved demolition of existing structures and replacement of the dock. Iguana Investments, Shad Khan’s real estate development company, developed the Shipyards project with Shanna Collective.
The rebuilt marina, which was funded by the city and built by Iguana Investments, was designed to accommodate vessels 30 to 400 feet in length. Two water taxi slips also were part of the design. Shad Khan’s yacht, “Kismet,” measures 400 feet, according to Forbes.
The city says the marina offers electrical power, water hookup, pump-out capabilities, marine gas and diesel fuel, Wi-Fi and a ship shop with boating supplies, grab-and-go food items, drinks and retail merchandise.
Fees will be charged for docking. According to the site, the following options are available:
• Transient slips are $2.75 per foot per night for boats up to 60 feet and $3.25 per foot per night for boats longer than 60 feet.
• Special events pricing is $4 per foot per night.
• Dock-n-dine is $5 per hour for up to four hours, and $2.75 to $4 per foot per night after four hours.
John Matheson, F3’s president, and Joseph both described the marina’s rent as market rate, and Joseph said it was not unusual for a city-owned marina to charge for use.
Marina reservations can be made at metparkmarina.com.
Pump out is $5 per use. For electrical service, the charge is $5 per night for 30 amps, $10 per night for 50 amp/double 30 amp and $20 per night for 100 amp/double 50 amp.
In May 2025, the city issued permits for Auld & White Constructors LLC to build the Jacksonville Shipyards marina support building and its back-of-house for a total project cost of $5.6 million.
Along with the announcement about the marina taking reservations, the city said it would make rafting docks available along Metropolitan Park for boaters docking for special events and games. Reservations for those docks can be made at https://fljacksonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/.