To benefit the City of Jacksonville, public policy includes the promotion and maintenance of a viable and vibrant downtown area. To this end, the following actions have recently been completed to support the continued focus on revitalizing downtown:

Downtown Projects: Please click Downtown Projects Map to view a map of completed downtown projects.

Downtown Master Plan:  A strategic Downtown Master Plan was developed that created 10 districts for downtown. The Master Plan includes a statement of goals, policies and objectives on economic development, urban design, design guidelines, land use and transportation components.

Development Review Board:  A separate review body, Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB), was created and is charged with reviewing and approving proposed projects using the design guidelines as described in the Master Plan.

Downtown Overlays: A Downtown Zoning Overlay and Downtown Signage Overlay were created to define site-specific criteria established in the Downtown Master Plan. The Zoning Overlay refines the districts and uses allowed, adds bonus uses above the current underlying zoning districts, and creates parking standards that allows for off-site use of parking facilities. The Signage Overlay creates streetscape standards to enhance the pedestrian experience and reduces the need for vehicular travel during the workday, creates specific criteria for urban design, site design and building form objectives.

Consolidated Downtown DRI: The Consolidated Downtown DRI Master Development Plan was amended to reflect the land uses as described in the Downtown Master Plan and Downtown Zoning Overlay. The Consolidated Downtown DRI was approved in 1992 and all development must be consistent with the conditions of the development order before building permits can be applied for thru the city's Building Inspection Division.

Historic Trust Fund: A Downtown Historic Preservation and Revitalization Trust Fund was made available to help preserve the historic fabric of our downtown.

Financial Plan: A new Strategic Financial Incentive Plan was developed that establishes financial programs available to downtown developers for the creation of affordable housing and retail uses.

Transportation Plan: The Strategic Transportation Plan that was developed re-establishes pedestrian priority on street design, reorients appropriate streets from one-way to two-way streets, encourages on-street parking to reduce vehicle speeds and volume and enhance pedestrian safety, encourages the use of mass transit (trolley, shuttle, water taxi) for short-range trips throughout downtown in conjunction with the "Skyway", and encourages the integration of outlying mass transit options such as light rail, busways, and the former Jacksonville Rail Terminal at the Prime Osborne Convention Center.

Transportation Concurrency Exception Area: Downtown was recently designated as a Transportation Concurrency Exception Area (TCEA) to promote mixed-use development tied into mass transit options to mitigate the impacts of development on the downtown and surrounding roadway system.