JACKSONVILLE ARTISTS LIVE/WORK FEASIBILITY STUDY

JACKSONVILLE, FL | 2010-2012 

Urban Focus® teamed with Community Partners Consultants and Karl Seidman, economic development consultant, to provide the Jacksonville Planning and Development Department and the Jacksonville arts community with a comprehensive analysis for providing affordable, viable and sustainable housing and studio environments for artists. As part of this study, the Urban Focus® team partnered with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville to reach out to the arts community and was assisted by Downtown Vision, Inc. in understanding the downtown Northbank Core of Jacksonville. The project was divided into four phases: Gauging Community Interest and Resources, Market Analysis, Site Feasibility Study, and Financial Feasibility Study. A final presentation to the city stakeholders completed the overall analysis. The overall timeline for this phase was eight months. 

Finally, this Feasibility Study provided practical guidelines for moving forward in the Northbank Core. The final three sites selected were chosen based on their viability and location but many opportunities for arts development were highlighted in the Core including expanding upon the success of the “Off The Grid” Program and the Art Walk to provide creative outlets and opportunities for artists in the Northbank Core of Jacksonville. The City has taken the first steps with this study by defining the Arts District and by redefining the roles of the city agencies in the redevelopment of downtown.