Jacksonville Daily Brief: Zoo Parkway rezoning, Gate River Run prep, and Downtown development
Jacksonville, FL – March 5, 2026 – Rezoning moves forward near Zoo Parkway, Gate River Run prep shifts, and weekend festivals fill the calendar.
Jacksonville’s news cycle today mixes land-use decisions, a big weekend race, and a few city calendar items worth bookmarking.
Rezoning advances for former LNG site near Zoo Parkway
The Jacksonville Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning a North Jacksonville property once tied to a proposed liquefied natural gas project. The request would shift the site’s land-use and zoning designations toward light industrial use, clearing a path for an industrial park concept.
The developer’s plan centers on a multi-phase buildout with large warehouse-style buildings, while other areas would remain set aside for stormwater and floodplain needs. Next steps move through the city’s legislative process before anything is finalized on the ground.
Gate River Run expo moves to Mandarin and traffic planning is urged
With Gate River Run weekend arriving, organizers shifted the runner expo and packet pickup away from downtown to the Mandarin Point Shopping Center on San Jose Boulevard. The move changes where (and how) thousands of participants will flow through the area ahead of race day.
Drivers should expect the heaviest congestion during late-afternoon rush hours, and participants are being told to build in extra time for parking and for entering and exiting the center.
Downtown apartment tower adds a name and a restaurant
A major Downtown residential project in the Pearl Street corridor has been formally named Vandeveer, tying the branding to the nearby historic Porter House. Plans call for about 200 apartments, with preleasing expected to begin soon and initial move-ins targeted for late summer.
The ground floor is slated for a Japanese concept with wood-fired dishes and sushi, adding another street-level draw in an area aiming to build more daily foot traffic.
Weekend and next-week calendar: outdoors and wellness
The city is promoting 7 Creeks Fest on Saturday, a free, family-friendly celebration of the 7 Creeks Recreation Area with a welcome hub, shuttles, guided hikes, and activities spread across multiple preserves in North Jacksonville.
Also on the horizon: Women’s Wellness Fest is scheduled for Sunday at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach, with programming focused on health, community, and self-care.
Sources
- https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/mar/05/planning-commission-backs-rezoning-of-former-eagle-lng-land-in-north-jacksonville/
- https://www.news4jax.com/sports/2026/03/05/what-runners-need-to-know-for-gate-river-run-expo-event-moved-from-downtown-to-mandarin-for-2026-race/
- https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/mar/03/gateway-jax-names-downtown-residential-building-announces-ground-floor-japanese-restaurant/
- https://www.jacksonville.gov/welcome/news/the-fifth-annual-7-creeks-fest-to-take-place-on-ma
- https://www.news4jax.com/river-city-live/2026/03/03/come-out-for-the-womens-wellness-fest/
