JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Pedestrians and bicyclists will soon not have access to parts of the Northbank Riverwalk as the City of Jacksonville works to complete several highly anticipated projects.
The city said the Northbank Riverwalk will be closed from Jackson Street to Main Street from fall 2024 through fall 2025 for multiple construction projects.
The Northbank Riverwalk is already closed between Pearl Street and Main Street for construction on the Riverfront Plaza and Jacksonville Musical Heritage Garden.
Here's a look at the timeline of projects, closures and detours coming to the Northbank Riverwalk.
Construction Timeline
McCoys Creek Restoration: July 8, 2024 - Fall 2025
The next scheduled closure begins Monday on the Northbank Riverwalk between Jackson Street and the Acosta Bridge for the McCoys Creek restoration project. The closure in the section called the "McCoy's Creek Work Zone" will last until fall 2025.
The city said Corkscrew Park will remain open and accessible through Pearl Street until construction begins for the CSX Northbank Bulkhead Replacement project this fall.
Corkscrew Park will fully close for one year; from fall 2024 to fall 2025, but the city said it could reopen sooner pending project completion.
The project, which started construction in 2019, is designed to help mitigate flooding by restoring McCoys Creek.
Northbank Bulkhead Replacement - CSX: Fall 2024 - Fall 2025
The CSX Northbank Bulkhead Replacement will take place between the Acosta Bridge and W. Coastline Drive. The project is aimed at improving subsidence issues along the Riverwalk, the city said.
Construction is set to begin in fall 2024 through fall 2025 and will close Riverwalk accessibility in the area. The budget for the project is more than $45.6 million, according to the Mayor's Transparency Dashboard.
Jacksonville Musical Heritage Garden: Projecting Fall 2025 Completion
Construction and design of the new musical-themed park behind the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts is underway, and the area between Pearl Street and Hogan Street is already closed off for the project. City officials are aiming for a fall 2025 completion for project construction.
The $5.5 million project will include a "music commons" celebrating Jacksonville's musical heritage, treble clef landscaping designs, a children's play area and more.
Riverfront Plaza: July 2023 - 2027
Construction on the highly anticipated Riverfront Plaza is still underway, and Hogan Street to the Main Street Bridge is already closed along the Riverwalk until fall 2025.
There are two phases of the project; Phase One is projected to be completed in late 2025 and Phase Two is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2027.
Phase One of the project covers the western half of the park which will include a playground, splash pad, cafe, restrooms, event lawn facing the Performing Arts Center and more.
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City officials said the design of a new riverfront restaurant will begin this summer to add another amenity to the area. Phase One of the project also includes new Riverwalk landscaping and the construction of a new bulkhead from Hogan Street to the Main Street Bridge.
Phase Two of the project covers the eastern half of the park and will feature a pedestrian path connecting to the Main Street Bridge, a grand civic staircase with a large fountain and a beer garden with outside seating.
Detours
Much of the Northbank Riverwalk will be closed for a year due to ongoing projects.
Here's a look at the detours the city has mapped out for pedestrians and bicyclists during the closures.
The closures will not impact vehicle traffic, but there are other detours mapped out around Jacksonville for drivers due to other ongoing projects including the Emerald Trail and the two-way conversion project for Adams Street and Forsyth Street.
