By Laura Riggs
It’s been demonstrated in many other markets that well-designed, maintained, and programmed public spaces strengthen the real estate market while positively impacting the local economy. Understanding that any plans must also take into account various past visioning exercises, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund convened a diverse coalition of business leaders, change makers, planners, and visionaries in 2021 to steward plans for a riverfront that best serves the needs and wants of the community.
The duPont Fund partnered with DVDL, an agency of cultural strategists, to lead the project, along with WXY, a design and planning firm, JLP+D, a strategy firm specializing in the economics of placemaking, as well as Groundwork Jacksonville to lead the ongoing community engagement work. Other project collaborators included Riverfront Parks Now, focused on benchmarking and advocacy, and Creative Urban Alchemy. “Jacksonville is blessed with acres of riverfront land downtown but lacks a comprehensive activation plan for programming this space for all types of activities and improving access for all residents and visitors,” the group wrote in its first project update in May 2021.
Over the next six months, the collective gathered research and input from the community to build consensus on how best to bring the riverfront to life. The Fund hosted stakeholder workshops, met with community leaders, and conducted one-on-one interviews. Groundwork Jacksonville led an extensive series of public meetings, gathering input on the needs of the residents from the different neighborhoods along our signature waterway and beyond. DVDL and Riverfront Parks Now conducted a benchmarking survey of waterfront projects in 20 other metro areas to provide the group with insights on the positive impact a revitalized riverfront would have on our city and lessons learned from similar projects. JLP+D guided an economic impact study to demonstrate the value of public spaces in improving quality of life, creating good jobs, enhancing equity, and strengthening Jacksonville’s long-term competitive advantage. “Our goal was to assess which spots are best for activities and safety improvements. Then, work with the city to communicate those recommendations,” explains Mari Kuraishi, president of the Jesse Ball duPont Fund.
