First Degree Program Expected to Begin in August 2025, Main Launch in 2026 | The City of Jacksonville has negotiated to provide 23 buildable acres to the University of Florida for the new graduate campus in downtown Jacksonville, pending an open and public disposition process. These parcels of land will begin moving through the Downtown Investment Authority process at the Retail Enhancement and Property Disposition Committee on February 13, followed by a full board vote on February 19. Upon DIA approval, the proposals will move to City Council.
Site A: This 2.36 acre parcel will include the design and construction of a minimum 60,000 square foot building and $80 million capital investment. The design process is anticipated to begin in late 2025.
Site B: This 1.22 acre parcel will include the design and construction of a minimum 20,000 square foot building and $20 million capital investment, with a publicly accessible ground floor retail space facing the Emerald Trail.
Convention Center: The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center will remain operational and under use by the City of Jacksonville for at least five years. The University of Florida must have completed development on Site A and started construction on Site B to begin redevelopment of the 14.71 acre parcel that contains the Convention Center and its parking lot.
Historic Train Station: The 2.13 acre parcel containing the historic building attached to the Convention Center, and which previously served as a train station, will be redeveloped by the University of Florida. Denver’s Union Station will serve as an inspiration with publicly accessible restaurant, bar, and retail space. A minimum of five years must have passed, and construction of Site A must be completed for this development to begin.
These plans were created to support the City’s efforts to return passenger rail to downtown Jacksonville. A ticketing area will be maintained in the renovated Historic Train Station building, and the City will retain the rail lines and land in between to construct a train platform.
801 W. Bay Street: Classes are expected to begin in the existing building on this 2.85 acre parcel in 2025 with more added in 2026. It is owned by 801 Bay Street LLC, a subsidiary of Gateway Jax. In negotiations with the developer to acquire this property for the UF graduate campus, they made a proposal to build on the development pad along the northeast corner of Riverfront Plaza.
This proposal mirrored the original Perkins & Will design that went through a public review process. It includes a public sky garden terrace, two floors of podium parking and lobbies, one floor of public food and beverage space, five floors of hotel rooms, and 11 floors of residences. The City of Jacksonville will swap the Riverfront Plaza Development Pad and the East Landing Parking Lot for the 801 W. Bay Street parcel to ensure similar value for land that is swapped.
