Two thumbs up to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) for its progress in enhancing downtown. The changes to Main Street are dramatic due to a landscaping and hardscaping plan and the conversion of a dilapidated surface parking lot into a new pocket park. Here are some of the other developments that are making a big difference downtown:

• New solar-powered parking meters were installed along portions of Laura Street as the result of a former pilot program. The new meters accept credit cards and have longer, two-hour parking limits.
• Completion of Laura Street improvements is expected at the end of the first of quarter of 2011
• Demolition of the Friendship Fountain project has been completed and the improvements are projected to be complete by May 2011
• Phase I of the Metropolitan Park improvements are underway. Estimated completion is late spring of 2011.
• Construction of the Floating Docks on the Northbank Riverwalk has begun and should be complete in January of 2011

Along with the major renovations taking place downtown, several sports and recreational events are coming to Jacksonville.

• The Moe’s Southwest Grill Sunshine Classic Lacrosse 2011 tournament will be held at EverBank Field on Feb. 20. Jacksonville University will face Georgetown University at noon and Duke University will play in a championship rematch against University of Notre Dame at 3 p.m.
• The Jacksonville Maritime Museum is moving from the Southbank to The Jacksonville Landing and should open it’s doors before Jan. 1

We love watching downtown Jacksonville get refurbished and hope that you are as curious as we are to see what else is in store for our great city!