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35-531: The first section of the Riverwalk opened on the Downtown Southbank on November 8, 1985. It was intended as a venue where tourists and local residents alike could view the beauty of the river and the skyline of the city. On a sunny day, the view from the walk includes shimmering water, shiny buildings, sailboats & speedboats. The 1.2-mile (1.9 km) walk was designed by Perkins & Perkins Architects to be

70-578: A 40-year life span, and upgrade lighting, railing and trash receptacles. On February 9, 2010 the city council passed the three bills without debate, providing final approval for all three projects. As of late 2011, the Northbank Riverwalk ran from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the former Shipyards property, owned by the city of Jacksonville. There are plans to extend it west to Riverside's Memorial Park, and east to Metropolitan Park across from

105-420: A family-friendly environment. Eight of the market's vendors have subsequently opened brick & mortar stores or restaurants. In late June 2009, a 12-foot corner section of concrete walkway on the northbank collapsed due to erosion of the steel bulkhead. Another portion of the riverwalk was closed after bricks became loose when the walkway sank several inches. Repairs to both damaged areas were completed prior to

140-504: A festive waterfront public space linking Friendship Fountain and Harbormasters Restaurant (now River City Brewing Co.) with hotels and office buildings east of the Main Street Bridge . Friendship Park Fountain was built in 1965 and became one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. A graphic system was developed and, included banners, kiosks and signage to provide visitors with clear and legible information, as well as reinforce

175-473: A greatly reduced flow. It was repaired in 2011 and is functional. The future of the Jacksonville landmark was in doubt for a number of years. A number of proposals were made, including moving Kids Kampus from Metropolitan Park and eliminating the fountain, rebuilding a smaller fountain or renovating the existing fountain. As of May 2008, there was $ 15 million in the city's capital projects budget to improve

210-512: A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of the latest extension of the Northbank Riverwalk. Construction took nearly two years for the 1.5-mile (2.4 km), $ 8.7 million project. The landscaped brick walkway connects the existing Riverwalk at the CSX building to Riverside Avenue. Its features include historical lighting, water fountains, trash receptacles, bike racks, irrigated landscaping and over 100 benches. Nearly 40 feet of Riverwalk

245-484: Is Herb Peyton , founder and principal owner of Gate Petroleum , one of the largest privately held companies in the state. They have made a considerable fortune developing, buying and selling land to both the state and federal governments, as well as owning Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and other clubs and resorts, 225 Gate Gas and convenience stores in the southeastern United States, and several other businesses. Prior to his election as mayor, Peyton served as board Chairman for

280-404: Is an Episcopalian . Peyton took office as the sixth mayor of Jacksonville on July 1, 2003. Peyton survived a crowded Republican primary and defeated Democratic Duval County Sheriff Nat Glover , for the seat in a race that was the most expensive in Jacksonville history. In 2007, Peyton defeated community activist Jackie Brown by a margin over 50% to win a second term. Peyton's administration

315-525: Is an American businessman and politician who is currently president of Gate Petroleum . He served as Mayor of Jacksonville , Florida from 2003 to 2011, when he was succeeded by Alvin Brown . He was the second Republican to be elected to the position since 1888. After his term he returned to Gate, his family business, and succeeded his father Herb Peyton as the company's president in January 2012. Peyton's father

350-524: Is best known for the Jacksonville Journey, a crime prevention program that invested more than $ 50 million into suspension centers and college scholarships, summer camps and after-school programs. Peyton's term of office ended on July 1, 2011, and Alvin Brown succeeded him as the city's first African-American mayor. In a January 9, 2009 interview in the Financial News & Daily Record , Peyton

385-862: The Jacksonville Transportation Authority ; Vice President of Gate and serving as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and Greenscape of Jacksonville . Peyton attended Mercer University and earned a bachelor's degree, then graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program. A long-time bachelor, Peyton became engaged during his first campaign and married Jacksonville physician Kathryn Pearson on June 1, 2003. They have two sons, John Conner, born in 2005, and Kent Thomas, born in 2007. Peyton

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420-581: The 13-acre (53,000 m) Aetna Building property, which has 1,100 feet (340 m) of riverfrontage. Permits from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Army Corps of Engineers had already been obtained, but financial conditions forced the project to be placed on hold. The City of Jacksonville and Fidelity National Financial executed a land swap in 2008 that added 1.3 acres (5,300 m) in exchange for

455-400: The 20th century, but severe corrosion and deterioration to the equipment resulted in periodic closures in the 2000s. In 2011 the city completed a $ 3.2 million renovation to the fountain and the surrounding park. A second renovation began in 2020 and, after several delays, was completed in 2024, with a nearly $ 8 million budget. The fountain and Friendship Park was designed by Taylor Hardwick ,

490-640: The Jacksonville architect who also designed the Haydon Burns Library . An area of 14 acres (57,000 m ) of land were donated for the project by the Southside Business Men's Club, an organization dedicated to the improvement of the Southside that was established in 1932. Begun in 1963 and completed at a cost of $ 1.7 million, the park opened in March 1965. The "world’s largest and tallest" fountain at

525-472: The July 4th celebration and fireworks show. A meeting was held in January, 2010 between Mayor John Peyton and several city councilmen to discuss progress on three major downtown improvement projects, including Southbank Riverwalk replacement. Legislation was filed to fund these three projects with a price tag of $ 23 million. $ 11.9 million was allocated to replace the wooden structure with a more durable material with

560-707: The Southbank Riverwalk, which includes the area around Friendship Fountain; but Mayor John Peyton felt the amount was not enough. The Jacksonville City Council approved final plans for a $ 3.2 million renovation and repair to the surrounding park and Friendship Fountain on February 9, 2010. On August 10, 2010 the Friends of Friendship Fountain Website, reported communications from the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission that AC General Inc

595-537: The area of the 2006 closure at a cost of $ 1.4 million. At the January 31, 2008 meeting of the Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC), plans were tentatively approved for a 128-slip dockage facility to be named, The South Shore Marina & Riverwalk at the Aetna Building . The project would include a new section of southbank riverwalk on

630-467: The company with 20 years of city tax rebates but not affect school taxes. The restaurant stated that if the proposal is approved, they would relocate. Friendship Fountain functioned for over 20 years and was refurbished in December 1985, before resuming operation for another 15 years. Finally, wear and corrosion forced its closure at the end of the century. A five-month, $ 1.3 million rehabilitation began when

665-457: The fountain was drained in March 2001. A new feature was added: six light towers with computer-controlled color-changing floodlights. Unanticipated damage to stainless steel pipes was uncovered, requiring a $ 97,000 increase in cost and two-month delay, but the fountain re-opened in December 2001. It operated for seven months until a power outage/ voltage spike damaged the computer controller and blew out 40 lights and lenses on April 29, 2002. That

700-403: The historic relationship between the city and the river; projected to include floating ship exhibits, was scaled back to the current Jacksonville Maritime Museum , now closed. Multiple projects did not come to fruition. The Grove, a raised grass seating area shaded by a grove of palm trees; The Pyramid, an outdoor structure with terraced seating area for special events; An Aquarium located south of

735-560: The lessee has not achieved the threshold to pay the Additional Rent, which in combination with the continuing disrepair of the docks, provides evidence of the underutilization of this high-profile asset.” Other elements of the proposal include releasing 1/3 acre from the lease resulting in the addition of 110 feet to the Jacksonville Riverwalks and a small corridor for public access to the river walk. The deal would also provide

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770-434: The maritime museum, facing Friendship Fountain, which would showcase local freshwater and saltwater marine life; A Great Lawn for recreation and relaxation; A sidewalk café under the bridge that would link both sides of riverwalk; A 3,000-seat open-air amphitheater with bandstand and theatrical lighting, built out into the river that would be used for public concerts, ballets, festivals and school graduations. In January, 2005,

805-557: The parcel of land under Riverside Avenue's historic fire station. The city has the option to move the structure before it can be demolished, and funding for that purpose is being discussed. The Riverside Arts Market (RAM) was begun in 2008 beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge around the Northbank Riverwalk. It is open on Saturdays, 10-4 from March to December and features an eclectic mix of vendors offering arts and crafts, food and drink, fruits and vegetables and live entertainment in

840-435: The park by more than half. Essentially, all the design structures in the park were removed-—with the exception of the fountain itself—-for what became a boondoggle . The new facility was named Harbormasters, and the city guaranteed a $ 2.9 million federal building loan on the city's land. Initial success was followed by lawsuits, a new owner, missed rent payments, foreclosure, loan default and finally closure in 1992. When

875-457: The restaurant and create an 8-story building with 325 apartments. A DIA staff report stated that Maritime Concepts had contracted with The Related Companies to sell the unexpired lease with the City of Jacksonville. The terms of the 99-year lease, which began in 1988, specified $ 40,000 in base each year plus 0.5% of revenue above $ 4.5 million. The report also noted that, “During the term of this lease,

910-763: The stadium. Free parking exists under the Fuller Warren Bridge. The center of the Northbank Riverwalk is the Landing . In 2002, the Jacksonville Track Club partnered with the city in commissioning The Runner , a statue of a sprinting man on the riverwalk. Friendship Fountain Friendship Fountain is a large fountain in Jacksonville, Florida . It is in St. Johns River Park (also known as Friendship Fountain Park ) at

945-510: The suggestion of a Rotary Club member and Dallas Thomas after the city's parks and finance commissioner. However, when Thomas was later involved in a scandal and indicted, the park was renamed in 1968. The Acosta Bridge was rebuilt beginning in 1990, and the Diamond Head Lobster House was in its path and had to be demolished. The city agreed to use a big portion of Friendship park for the new restaurant and parking lot, cutting

980-502: The time, it became a popular tourist attraction. The three pumps had a combined 750 horsepower (560 kW) and could push 17,000 US gallons (64,000 L) per minute; some streams as tall as a 10-story building. The enclosure for the pumps and controls was so large that the architect had to include it as an element of design. The Fountain was originally called the "Fountain of Friendship in Dallas Thomas Park"; friendship at

1015-522: The venture failed, the city had to pay off the nearly $ 3 million loan. The River City Brewing Company, which replaced Harbormasters in November 1993, has been successful, but because the city owns the land, the restaurant pays no property taxes. In October 2020 Maritime Concepts L.C., which owned River City Brewing Company, submitted a plan to the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) to raze

1050-514: The warm and lively image of the riverwalk. A few of the project were built but scaled back. The St. Johns Wharf was a planned open-air marketplace to be built over the river adjacent to the Wyndham Hotel. A few shops were built along the riverwalk, but the wharf was never constructed. Four open air pavilions were planned and projected to include concessions and restroom facilities. only two were constructed. The Ship Museum, an attraction to emphasize

1085-533: The west end of Downtown Jacksonville 's Southbank Riverwalk attraction. The world's largest and tallest fountain when it opened, it has been one of Jacksonville's most recognizable and popular attractions. The fountain and park were designed by Jacksonville architect Taylor Hardwick in 1963 and opened in 1965. The fountain's three pumps could push 17,000 US gallons (64,000 L) of water per minute up to 120 feet (37 m) in height. Friendship Fountain remained one of Jacksonville's signature attractions through

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1120-526: Was asked about his plans for 2011 when his term ended. He responded: I’m going back to Gate and rejoin the family business. I’m looking forward to that. I told dad (Herb Peyton) that he has saved a lot of money because he hasn’t had to pay me for eight years. I think my father is very eager to retire. He wasn’t excited about me running for a second term. If it had been his choice, I would have gone back sooner. Peyton returned to Gate following his terms, briefly serving as vice president while he got up to speed on

1155-657: Was named contractor for the project. An official groundbreaking was held on September 1, 2010, marking the start of the renovation of Friendship Fountain and Park. The fountain was closed for eight months for construction, and reopened again on June 18, 2011, amid a celebration. A major renovation took place during 2020–2021. The attraction was reopened on February 15, 2024. The fountain flows from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. 30°19′12″N 81°39′35″W  /  30.320012°N 81.659812°W  / 30.320012; -81.659812 John Peyton (U.S. politician) John Stephens Peyton (born July 28, 1964)

1190-468: Was repaired, and the fountain was fully functional for nearly 3 years. It was a major attraction at Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005, but two months later, two of the three original (40-year-old) pumps failed and parts were no longer available. The replacement cost for the pumps was estimated at $ 400,000, but the city budget was tight and money was not available. Afterward the fountain was run on one pump with

1225-416: Was temporarily closed in late 2006 when corrosion caused steel pilings to fail and the supported walkway buckled. The city allocated $ 1.3 million to inspect the entire Riverwalk and make emergency repairs, and planned a multi-year capital improvement project eventually costing $ 25 million for upgrades split between both riverwalks. As part of that project, the city began installing 306 pile jackets in and around

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