JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Updates on projects in Jacksonville Beach were discussed Wednesday at the City's Community Redevelopment Agency Workshop.
City council members and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) talked about a wide variety of topics like additional parking at the beach, downtown landscaping and an update on Latham Plaza.
The CRA said they are taking a new approach on Latham Plaza, following feedback from the community and Council.
“We want it to be a place that our residents want to visit," said Sandy Golding, Jax Beach Councilmember.
Making Jax Beach a hot commodity was the talk of tonight's redevelopment meeting.
"I want people to come downtown take pictures and write hashtag Jaxbeach," said one member.
When members began discussing Latham Plaza, these new visuals were shown. Staff member, Taylor Mobbs said this is a new approach with plans to only work on the middle section on the far west end of the Plaza, then over time work on other phases.
"So rather than ripping this area out one big sweep and essentially eliminating this amenity to the public, having it in smaller phases will allow people to still use it while improving it," said Mobbs.
Meanwhile, councilmembers and Mayor Chris Hoffman expressed their thoughts on the design.
"This is going to change the dynamic of that space. I can see city staff going out there eating their lunch," Hoffman said.
Members of council did ask how is this space going to be used not just during the weekend, but the weekdays.
Mobbs informed members the Plaza will have amenities and programs like rolling hills for kids, additional shade and tree coverage, tables, benches and chairs and more weekday events planned by Parks and Rec.
"So working on both sides to have adequate space but also making sure we’re programming things to happen in the space at the same time," she said, "Rest assure we’re working hard and we’re moving these things forward and we really anticipate seeing big changes in the near future.
As for what's next for Latham Plaza, following Wednesday's meeting, Mobbs said the CRA has to go back and work with their consultants. Once everything is approved they will move to engineer drawings and construction documents and then the Community Redevelopment Agency will be able to figure out a cost.