News Summary
The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee has approved a $4.6 million proposal for city incentives to support the Jacksonville Surf Park development, now pending City Council approval. The project’s cost has risen significantly, now estimated at $130 million due to geotechnical findings. The surf park will feature a Wavegarden Cove lagoon and is expected to promote surfing and create jobs. Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with an anticipated opening by late 2027.
Jacksonville – A proposal to allocate $4.6 million in city incentives for the Jacksonville Surf Park has been approved by the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee and is now headed for review by the City Council. The proposal aims to support developer Aventuur Inc. in their plans to build a mixed-use project in South Jacksonville, which includes a surf park.
The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee voted unanimously on the proposal on September 8. The potential incentives come at a crucial time as the project’s cost has significantly escalated. Originally estimated at $110 million, the project now requires an additional $20 million to $30 million due to unexpected findings from geotechnical studies, which indicated a high water table at the proposed site. Overall, the costs for the 45-acre development have increased by over 20% based on these new assessments.
The surf park site is strategically located southwest of the Florida 9B and Interstate 295 interchange in South Jacksonville, within the eTown development, which is a master-planned community initiated by The PARC Group. The proposed city incentives will be provided through a 10-year, 75% Recaptured Enhanced Value Grant, limited to $4.6 million. This type of grant refunds the ad valorem tax revenue generated by new developments or improvements to properties.
The surf park is anticipated to take advantage of the growing global interest in surfing, particularly as surfing is set to become an Olympic sport in 2027. Developer Aventuur plans to feature a 56-module, 5.5-acre Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon, which aims to offer consistent, ocean-like surfing experiences regardless of weather conditions.
Developer representatives suggest that the surf park’s facilities may attract visitors on a national and even international scale, targeting the regional surf competition market. The project is expected to generate around 100 jobs, with an average annual compensation of $50,000, excluding benefits, in addition to several hundred construction jobs.
Projections for the project indicate a favorable return on investment, with an expected return of $1.36 for every dollar spent. Aventuur acquired the land for this development in June and plans to commence construction in early 2026, with the surf park projected to be completed and accessible to the public by the fourth quarter of 2027.
Earlier this year, the Jacksonville City Council approved the rezoning of the site to Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for a mixed-use area that combines residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The design of the surf park emphasizes sustainability and environmental responsibility, showcasing native landscaping, preservation of existing vegetation, and the use of recycled materials.
In addition to the surf park, the broader project will integrate multifamily residential and retail spaces, creating a diverse community hub. The developers are particularly focused on promoting broader participation in surfing, hoping to appeal to families and new demographics interested in the sport.
As the City Council prepares to review the proposed grant, the community eagerly watches how the Jacksonville Surf Park will evolve, potentially becoming a significant recreational and economic asset for the region.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: $4.6 Million in City Incentives for Jacksonville Surf Park Developer Advance
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Surf Park Developer Says Project is in Jeopardy, City Seeking Incentives
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Catching the Wave: Jacksonville Surf Park Meant to Be
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Google Search: Surf Park Incentives Jacksonville
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