Three design firms showcase plans for Jacksonville Landing site

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three design firms pitched their plans to redevelop the Landings on Thursday, but only one will get to move forward.

Agency Landscape and Planning, Olin Planning and Perkins & Will stood in front of the DIA and city panel with development plans, each showing unique ideas for the future. Inclusion, transportation, waterfront activity, entertainment and art were all crucial parts added. Currently, the Landing is an open field but each design firm brought something different to the table to change that.

“We presented our scheme which we call the love story, which was about connecting the people with Jacksonville to the great aspect that is the St. Johns River,” Gina Ford with Agency Landscape and Planning said.

Olin Planning’s design was called “Jax Park.”

“We created these individual rooms, which are on a smaller scale and have very specific programs but also this large lawn experience underneath the artwork,” Trevor Lee with Odin said.

Downtown neighbors like Dimitri Demopolis called this competition a monumental day for Jacksonville.

“We always wanted to have the element of choice, we want to feel like people are actually competing to put the best concept on that parcel and the fact we get three to choose from and get to see, interact and comment is wonderful,” Demopolis said.

A big question most people want to know is, what’s the cost?

“They were required to provide both construction budget and operating budget projection,” Lori Boyer, head of the DIA said. “It will be part of the submission and evaluation.”

Total construction and operational cost estimates:

• Agency Landscape and Planning: $15 million
• Olin Planning: 27.4 million
• Perkins & Will: $12 million for the park, $11-18 million for their main art piece.
• Yearly maintenance estimates:
• Agency Landscape and Planning: $1 million
• Olin Planning: $500,000
• Perkins & Will: $1 million

Each design firm called the river the “front door” to Jacksonville and had a focus on Hogan Street. As for what happens next, DIA says experts will submit comments to the committee, who will then receive them and the final score for the winning design firm, which will then be submitted for approval. A decision should be made within the month, the DIA said.

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