Downtown Investment Authority

DIA BUSINESS INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT PLAN (BID Plan)
The BID Plan consists of the Community Redevelopment Area Plan (CRA Plan) and Business Investment and Development Strategy (BID Strategy). Together, the CRA Plan and the BID Strategy strategically prioritize, shape the design of, and implement public infrastructure improvements and support private sector, market-based revitalization initiatives.

DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN SUMMARY 
The master plan for Downtown Jacksonville is a comprehensive playbook and rulebook for attracting private development, enriching the cultural environment and modernizing the infrastructure to reinvigorate the heart of the Jacksonville metro. It is a closely aligned and carefully integrated set of plans – including specific guidance for public infrastructure, a regulatory framework for private development and incentives to encourage desired redevelopment, all based on eight distinct goals and measurable strategic objectives.

STATE OF DOWNTOWN REPORTS
Each year, Downtown Vision Inc. tracks and analyzes Downtown’s performance in key indicators of urban revitalization, such as development, employment and residential market activity.

BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD DIET STUDY 
In 2017, the DIA contracted with Pond & Company, an architecture, engineering, planning and construction firm to develop pedestrian and bicyclist plans for the major streets in the Brooklyn district. The plan outlines several opportunities for alternative transportation, that, if made in concert with redevelopment, will help make Brooklyn a more vibrant and pedestrian-friendly destination.

CATHEDRAL DISTRICT MASTER PLAN
In 2017, Cathedral District Jax-Inc. (CDJ) commissioned a master plan with the purpose of developing a revitalization strategy for the neighborhood. The framework of the physical master plan is organization around the following ideas: create a residential core; make improved connections to surrounding neighborhoods and existing resources; create a mixed-use neighborhood-serving retail street; create safe and friendly walkable, bikeable streets; add open space; create a religious public art program; attract a charter school; and develop a parking strategy.

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Partner Impact Report
The Economic Development Partner Impact Report details the results of the City's collaborative efforts to strengthen the local economy and increase opportunities for the people of Jacksonville.

CONVENTION CENTER FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS 
In 2017, the DIA contracted with Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) to prepare a Convention Center Feasibility Analysis. SAG evaluated the current market demand and feasibility for a new convention center. In conducting this analysis, SAG provided DIA with invaluable insight into the key factors for decision-makers to consider when choosing a destination for their meetings, conventions and events.

DOWNTOWN PUBLIC PARKING STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION PLAN  
In 2019, DIA and the Office of Public Parking contracted with Tim Haahs to conduct a Downtown parking study and analysis of on-street parking conditions for several historic areas. 

DOWNTOWN MARKET FEASIBILITY STUDY Part 1 of 2
DOWNTOWN MARKET FEASIBILITY STUDY Part 2 of 2
The 2021 market and feasibility study provides an expanded and updated baseline of demographic and real estate trends and projections to inform an assessment of development constraints and opportunities in each Downtown neighborhood. The market assessment includes direct input from the local and regional real estate development and brokerage community and builds on the prior Business Investment and Development Strategy research released in 2014 (updated in 2019) with an expanded emphasis on data collection and analysis at the neighborhood level. Recognizing the impact of COVID‐19 on the real estate redevelopment market, note that pre‐pandemic data is analyzed to establish a baseline.

EMERALD TRAIL MASTER PLAN
In 2019, the Jacksonville City Council approved Groundwork Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail Master Plan to create a 30-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails that will connect Downtown to 14 historic neighborhoods, 18 schools, two colleges and nearly 30 parks. 

JACKSONVILLE'S SOUTHBANK TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PANEL
The DIA engaged the ULI North Florida District Council to convene a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) to study City-owned property between the Acosta and Main Street bridges along Jacksonville’s Southbank. The 15-acre study area currently houses the Museum of Science and History (MOSH), Friendship Park and Fountain, a portion of the Riverwalk, the former River City Brewing Company and Marina, and various parking lots. 

RIVERWALK CONTINUITY
The Riverwalk Continuity document is a compilation of the interwoven design guidelines and development standards aimed at ensuring a cohesive, secure and engaging experience for those who come to the waterfront for recreation, special events, dining, entertainment or to simply enjoy the scenic beauty of the riverfront environment.

_______________________________________________________________

To obtain copies of the documents listed below, please contact Ric Anderson.

LAVILLA HERITAGE PLAN
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park Plan
The LaVilla Heritage Plan includes design plans for the Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park in the historic LaVilla neighborhood. The park was designed by renowned landscape architect Walter Hood to honor the legacy of Jacksonville native sons the Johnson Brothers, and will be the first of several cultural sites to be featured.​

LAVILLA NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
In 2019, The LaVilla Development Strategy, funded by both the DIA and Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), and undertaken by the firm of Rummell/Munz, was completed. As Jacksonville’s oldest suburb, LaVilla was once known as the Harlem of the South and the epicenter of black culture and commerce in Northeast Florida. To redevelop Downtown’s LaVilla neighborhood while respecting its rich history and celebrate its cultural impact, the DIA and JTA completed the development plan Spring 2019. 

RIVERFRONT DESIGN GUIDELINES AND ACTIVITY NODES PLAN & RIVERFRONT INVESTMENT STRATEGY
In 2018, HR&A and SWA, in conjunction with Haskell Company, undertook a Riverfront Design Gudelines Plan and a Riverfront Investment Strategy.

• Riverfront Design Guidelines and Activity Nodes Plan: The aim of this document is to provide design guidance to the Downtown Investment Authority, the City of Jacksonville, city officials and developers on ways of looking at Jacksonville’s Waterfront, North Bank and South Bank, as an expansive opportunity site that is prime and ready for change, as part of a larger effort to make Downtown Jacksonville a destination, connected to neighboring communities and the center for business and culture.
• Downtown Riverfront Investment Strategy: The Riverfront Investment Strategy delivers an actionable vision for the downtown waterfront that is rooted in tenets of placemaking, grounded in market reality and accompanied by a practical strategy for implementation. Investment opportunities along the riverfront are emphasized while also identifying strategies for investing in supporting sites upland and creating connections among key activity centers.