Jacksonville Downtown Riverfront Activation

Funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Riverfront Study and Activation Plan was initiated to serve as a resource for the City of Jacksonville in the planning and development of the future Riverfront. JLP+D served as the economic advisor to prepare a funding analysis and governance strategy to advance the implementation of the Activation Plan.

JLP+D investigated and evaluated diverse potential funding sources, such as government contribution, earned income, real estate value capture, various forms of private contributions, and program partners' in-kind contributions. To advocate for greater collaboration and funding, JLP+D made the economic case of investing in downtown waterfront, combining industry and demographic data analysis with case studies that demonstrated the value of a greater waterfront to existing and new residents, businesses, and the overall wellbeing of the city.

Based on the recommendations of JLP+D, Jax Riverfront Alliance was established as a non-profit partner for the riverfront’s ongoing management, operations, and activation. To facilitate the Alliance’s collaboration with the City, JLP+D developed the Alliance’s operational planning and budgeting framework for the Riverfront, outlining the activities and costs required to manage and program the public spaces, as well as opportunities to generate earned income. The framework established a phased approach to implementation as the Riverfront is developed. Building on this, JLP+D is refining the framework into an interactive operating budget for the Jax Riverfront Alliance to help strategically guide its phased development. This support enables the Alliance to adapt to real-time operating needs and implement a financially sustainable approach to managing and activating the waterfront.