A proposed affordable housing development near the Sports and Entertainment District and the Duval County jail is set for final review by the Downtown Development Review Board on May 14.
A month after the DDRB granted conceptual approval for the 120-unit Cathedral Commons at 527 E. Duval St., the board will consider the final design of the project at its May meeting.
In 2022, JWB Real Estate Capital received final design approval for a different version of Cathedral Commons comprising 175 units and 18 buildings.
That version was redesigned to the current version, which comprises two three-story buildings. JWB remains the developer.
Bruce Werner, principal architect of Bold Line Design, told DDRB members in April the combined buildings encompass 92,000 square feet, with surface parking in the core of each structure. Plans call for 18 studio, 78 one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom apartments.
According to materials in the DDRB agenda packet, amenities include a community grill and dining area, outdoor fitness facility and community garden.
During the April meeting, staff said technical compliance items such as setbacks and streetscape components would be evaluated during consideration of final approval.
In a report contained in the May meeting materials, staff recommends granting final approval.
Kimley-Horn is the civil engineer and landscape architect for the project.
The site is three blocks north of the jail, formally the John E. Goode Pre-trial Detention Facility, at 500 E. Adams St. It is less than one-half mile west of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
The DDRB’s functions include essentially serving as the planning commission for the eight districts that make up Downtown Jacksonville. It has final decision-making authority on exterior designs for Downtown projects.
Also on the agenda, the DDRB is scheduled to receive a report on the second phase of the Riverfront Plaza project on the site of the demolished Jacksonville Landing.
The $38 million first phase of the park opened in December 2025, with such features as a pavilion building with a rooftop playground, an event lawn and plaza space connected to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts.
Daryl Joseph, Jacksonville’s director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, said during the opening event that the second phase is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. The city estimates its cost at $40 million.
Construction is underway. Renderings on the DDRB agenda show tiered seating that is called “civic steps” in plans, gardens, a structure with a dining area and outdoor cafe-style seating.
Perkins & Will Inc. was the architect and Jacksonville-based Haskell is the construction contractor for both phases.
The meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the main Jacksonville Public Library at 303 N. Laura St.