Mayor John Peyton, City Council Member Don Redman and representatives of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) and the Recreation and Community Services Department held a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 19 to celebrate the grand opening of Main Street Park and Streetscape project.

The Main Street Park and Streetscape project was created to enhance a main corridor of downtown Jacksonville by improving a previously harsh pedestrian environment.

“This project is just one great example of a step in the right direction as we move toward improving upon what we consider to be ‘everyone’s neighborhood’,” said Mayor Peyton. “By enhancing existing infrastructure, we have created a more pleasing and walkable environment, further enhancing our downtown.”

The project included the transformation of an unsightly surface parking lot into Main Street Park, a new three-quarter acre “pocket park” which is designed to complement the Main Library and create an open greenspace in the city’s urban core. It features a series of grass terraces lined with shade oak trees, up-lighting and historical lighting, along with a courtyard.

“The Main Street Park gives residents and visitors a place to meet and enjoy the outdoors,” said Council Member Redman.  “The added green space is a great addition to downtown Jacksonville.”

Date palm trees have been planted and the sidewalks have been resurfaced and enhanced with brick pavers and decorative planters along both sides of Main Street between Forsyth and State Streets.

The cost of design, master planning and construction was $ 2,012,811.18, supported by various funding sources including the Florida Department of Transportation, a Local Area Planning (LAP) Grant, the City of Jacksonville Tree Mitigation Fund and residual park funds.

The completion of the Main Street Streetscaping and Park Project signifies the continued revitalization of downtown and is an example of the Downtown Action Plan in progress.  JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton noted that "we continue to follow the road map for revitalization set forth in the Downtown Action Plan. This project is one of the first of many more initiatives to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and to encourage greater street level activity."

For more information on the Downtown Action Plan, visit www.jaxdevelopment.org and click on "Downtown Development".

The event was held in conjunction with Make A Scene Downtown!, a free “Party in the Plaza” at Hemming Plaza every Thursday in June from 5-8 p.m. featuring live entertainment, giveaways and fun.  For more information, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com.