JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s newest downtown attraction is now open along the St. Johns River.
City leaders celebrated the opening of Met Park Marina after years of planning and renovations to the waterfront space near EverBank Stadium.
The new 78-slip marina can accommodate vessels up to 400 feet long and is located near several major downtown projects, including the planned Stadium of the Future and Four Seasons hotel.
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Mayor Donna Deegan said the project is part of the city’s broader effort to bring more people downtown.
“The word is out that Jacksonville is a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Deegan said.
For Vance and Dana Stallings, the marina is also bringing new opportunity for their business, Cruise Jacksonville.
The couple owns Vada, a 50-foot yacht that offers river cruises along the St. Johns River.
The marina includes amenities such as an on-site ship store and gives boaters a new place to dock near the stadium and downtown entertainment.
City leaders hope the new marina will bring more visitors downtown by both land and water.
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With the official start of the NFL season just weeks away, many reservations have already been booked, showing early signs of interest in the new waterfront destination.
“It’s a great way to get people on the river in Jacksonville,” Vance Stallings said. “We go under all the bridges. It will be a fun time.”
With the marina officially open and more attractions planned downtown, city leaders and local business owners are hoping more people take advantage of the new waterfront space.
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