Tag Archives: Southbank Riverwalk

A Dedication to Community and Our River The Renovated Southbank Riverwalk Gains the Newest Addition to the City Public Art Collection BY DANIEL AUSTIN, Communications Manager, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville Here’s a bold new idea for Jacksonville: “We want to make this city a destination for mosaic art,” says , who, along with his wife , co-founded A business that focuses on creating “community mosaics,” Roux Art’s experience comes from Kate, a lifetime artist and a twenty-year Duval County Public School art teacher, and Kenny on the business side, who recently retired after 27 years with . For the …

If you haven’t been to the Southbank Riverwalk in a while, it’s time to go back. The bright blue bricks in shades of aqua, teal, and baby blue may be your first indication that something has changed. That’s because the has just completed an 18-month, $17 million renovation project to make the area more pedestrian, bike, and family-friendly for the people of Jacksonville. In addition to the bricks, the walkway is wider and lined with benches for lounging, shady canopies for sunny days, and improved lighting to make nighttime strolling more safe and comfortable. At its center, the Naval Memorial …

Driving up to the front door, rustic wasn’t really the right word. It was old, seasoned barnwood and torn-off rusted whatevers nailed in every which way. It reminded me of a dilapidated tobacco warehouse you could find at the end of a country road in the Carolinas, yet evoked the essence of old Jacksonville. One of the most fascinating things about this space was the chicken coop full of chickens and roosters as one entered. started out as the place to be for fun, a relaxed country dining atmosphere on the river. Sure, there were no potatoes boiled in a …

River City Brewing Company Jacksonville should rediscover a long-time brewery situated on the City’s snuggled between the and . River City Brewing Company features a nautical venue reflecting the maritime heritage of Jacksonville with expansive views of the city’s downtown skyline and the “river that runs north,” the St. Johns. Brewing is just a part of what they offer. On-site , , , and starts out a brew tasting with a view that’s hard to find. “We offer great riverfront dining,” says General Manager , a 14-year veteran of the restaurant, “and have hosted , , the Olsen twins and many …

Once the “World’s Lightest and Tallest Fountain”, Now Celebrating 50 Years! Since 1963, Jacksonville has enjoyed a signature fountain and park designed by the late, world-renowned architect , also designer of the , among other notable city buildings. Opening in 1965, and the are situated on the , where generations of families have enjoyed ambulating between the Main Street or bridge, which opened in 1957. The fountain, park, and bridge are the visual triumvirate architectural signatures which connect what was once known as South Jacksonville to Downtown. In the beginning, the fountain and park were made possible by a donation …

The Southbank area’s history is quite the study in vicissitude, full of highs and lows and ornamented with unfulfilled promises and ideas. It’s a beautiful area and should be one of Jacksonville’s most desirable attractions—you know, that postcard shot. , considered the grandfather of Florida’s major tourist attractions, was once there, but fire destroyed it nearly a century ago. There have been minor victories, mainly River Fountain, but that is a far cry from the Perkins & Perkins Architects-designed “festive waterfront public space,” which opened in 1985 under the leadership of mayor . Wait, so what does this all have …

New Public Art and BARGE Event Series Will Help Activate Downtown Adding to the exciting wave of Downtown renewal, the new, improved Southbank Riverwalk opened today with an event at Friendship Fountain. Mayor , Council President , Councilmembers ,  and , and other city leaders announced new features and opportunities in celebration of the opening of this renovated  centerpiece. “This newly redesigned  will add even more momentum to our Downtown riverfront and serve as a destination for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Brown. “This new 4,000-foot Riverwalk provides a unique experience for the public to enjoy our treasured St. …