Jacksonville’s Riverfront Plaza aims to recapture community spirit with new amenities by 2027.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Today marks seven years since the mass shooting at the Jacksonville Landing, a tragedy that forever changed the city.
The iconic riverfront site was demolished in the years that followed, and after extensive construction, the space is being reimagined as Riverfront Plaza.
The Riverfront Plaza project is moving forward in two phases. Phase 1, currently under construction and expected to open in early 2026, will feature an elevated destination playground atop a park pavilion, a large flexible event lawn, a new bulkhead and riverwalk, a plaza connecting the space to the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, and park amenities including a café, restrooms, and storage.
Phase 2, scheduled to begin construction in Fall 2025 and anticipated to be completed in 2027, will add a beer garden, a rain garden for both aesthetics and stormwater management, and a bike and pedestrian connection to the Main Street Bridge to improve accessibility.
Locals hope the new space will recapture the sense of fun and community the Landing once provided.
“That really brought a dark cloud over it because it’s a place where people go to have a good time, expect to just smile and be free for a little bit,” Jacksonville native Dwanyi Shamobley said.
Aaron Merritt from the Northside suggested, “Try to put a little amusement park in there. We need something fun. We ain’t got nothing fun for real.”
City officials say they will continue exploring ways to honor the victims of the 2018 shooting and will provide updates as Riverfront Plaza nears completion.