Jacksonville Receives Federal Grant for Downtown Revitalization and Smart Region Projects
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao formally announced a $25 million grant to support the Bay Street Innovation Corridor and Urban Core Riverfront Revitalization projects in downtown Jacksonville.
Jacksonville was one of 91 grants selected from 851 eligible applications from all 50 state.The $25 million award was made under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) transportation grant program and will go towards two key projects in Jacksonville.
The City of Jacksonville will carry out the Urban Core Riverfront Revitalization and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will launch the Bay Street Innovation Corridor. The projects will bracket the downtown area, providing major improvements to Bay Street, from the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center at LaVilla in the Downtown Core area to the Sports Complex.
Through highway redevelopment, implementing an autonomous transit network, and introducing smart technologies, the projects will focus regenerative efforts on the riverside area around important local business, sporting, and entertainment centers.
Secretary Chao was joined at a press event at City Hall by U.S. Reps. John Rutherford (FL-04) and Al Lawson (FL-05), Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and JTA CEO Nathaniel Ford.
“In partnership with the state of Florida, City of Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, this grant will pave the way for two important projects to revitalize transportation and commerce in the heart of the city,” said Secretary Chao.
More information can be found at the U.S. Department of Transportation.