Demolition of East Building of The Jacksonville Landing begins

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Monday, construction crews got to work—tearing down what’s left of The Jacksonville Landing.

Action News Jax has been following the demolition since it first started last October.

Action News Jax Courtney Cole reached out to the city to learn the latest demolition details.

Neighbors in Downtown Jacksonville are still feeling the effects of the demolition of The Jacksonville Landing— even after the new year.

“Structural demolition of the East building along the river will begin today [Monday] and will take approximately 2-3 weeks. The remaining exterior walls of the main building will be demolished upon the completion of the East river building and is expected to take approximately 1-2 weeks,” said Nikki Kimbleton, Director of Public Affairs for the City of Jacksonville.

“Structural demolition of the East building along the river will begin today [Monday] and will take approximately 2-3weeks. The remaining exterior walls of the main building will be demolished upon the completion of the East river building and is expected to take approximately 1-2 weeks,” said Nikki Kimbleton, director of Public Affairs for the City of Jacksonville.

"Why would you come down there now?"

That’s what Carlos Parada thought as he drove over the bridge and watched construction crews tear down The Jacksonville Landing.

"In general, I’m disappointed. I think that’s a great space that should have been renovated, remodeled, re-purposed in a way that would have saved time and money,” Parada said.

Last year, City Council approved an overall $18 million deal to take over ownership of The Landing.

Mayor Lenny Curry suggested making it a green space. On Monday afternoon, the city told Cole it plans to do just that.

But, as it stands now, the entire property is not sodded, according to Kimbleton. “Only the areas disturbed by the work. Some landscaping will be left intact.”

"I think that’s a silly idea for land that’s right on the edge of the river. Here’s a chance where Jacksonville could have made it a destination point, not just for folks who live here, but also for tourists,” Parada told Action News Jax Courtney Cole.

Kimbleton told Cole once they get closer to the completion of demolition, the city will begin discussing ideas for the space.

As a father of two, Parada said he'd like to see a space where you can go out to eat, take your family— and maybe even have a theater.

When it comes to removing all of the debris off the site, Kimbleton told Action News Jax Courtney Cole, “Processing and hauling of debris is expected to last through March/April 2020.”

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