The Intracoastal Corridor at Jacksonville’s Beaches is entering a new era. Two large redevelopment projects — one at the former Adventure Landing amusement park on Beach Boulevard, the other at the old Bellinger Shipyards on Atlantic Boulevard — are set to bring thousands of new residents, new businesses, and intensified traffic to the east side of the city.

Both projects reflect Jacksonville’s push to create more housing for a growing population. But with that growth comes real questions: Can the roads, schools, and environment handle it?

1. The End of Adventure Landing — and the Start of a New Chapter

For decades, Adventure Landing at 1944 Beach Blvd. was a family entertainment landmark. But in October 2025, the park closed permanently after roughly 30 years of operation.

Its 22-acre site, located just west of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge on Beach Boulevard, is slated to be transformed into a luxury apartment community with approximately 415 residential units. This will mark one of the most visible land-use changes on the Beaches corridor in recent memory.

Where Permitting Stands

• As of this writing, the closure is complete and the redevelopment concept has been announced publicly.

• No final rezoning or building permit approvals have been posted, indicating the project remains in the early planning and entitlement stage.

• Given the site’s location, the project will likely require traffic impact studies, stormwater management review, and possible environmental mitigation measures.

Traffic Implications

Beach Boulevard already serves as a central east–west arterial feeding Jacksonville Beach. Replacing a seasonal entertainment site with 400+ residential units means:

• Daily commuter traffic instead of episodic weekend and summer peaks.

• Increased load on the Intracoastal Bridge, nearby intersections, and local roads.

• More demand for turn lanes, signal timing improvements, and pedestrian/bike safety measures.

Environmental & Community Considerations

• The redevelopment will likely increase impervious surfaces, raising concerns about stormwater runoff and Intracoastal water quality.

• With hundreds of new residents, pressure on schools, utilities, and services will increase.

• Longtime locals are also concerned about the loss of recreational space and changing community character.

A Reflection of Jacksonville’s Growth Goals

Adventure Landing’s redevelopment embodies the city’s strategy to maximize underutilized parcels near key transportation corridors. The goal is to add housing capacity where infrastructure already exists — but the timing and scale of supporting improvements will be crucial.

2. The Bellinger Shipyards Redevelopment (13911 Atlantic Blvd)

Just a few miles north, another massive transformation is taking shape at 13911 Atlantic Boulevard, beside the Atlantic Boulevard Twin Bridges. The former Bellinger Shipyards site, spanning 43.8 acres, was rezoned in July 2024 to allow a mixed-use waterfront community called “Moody Marine Harbor”.

Project Overview

• 560 residential units (multifamily)

• 106,000 sq. ft. of non-residential space (retail, office, or hospitality)

• 650 marina slips, a public boat ramp, waterfront restaurant, and structured parking

• Hotel component and walkable waterfront amenities

Permitting Status

• Rezoning and land-use map amendments are complete.

• The site is “fully entitled,” but no vertical construction permits have been issued yet.

• A 2025 construction start has been mentioned, but not officially confirmed.

• Environmental and shoreline permitting, traffic studies, and site development approvals are expected to precede groundbreaking.

Infrastructure & Environmental Factors

This project has a dual impact: land-based traffic and marine traffic.

• The public boat ramp and 650-slip marina will bring increased boat trailer activity to Atlantic Boulevard.

• Increased impervious surface means stormwater management will be a critical permitting step.

• Shoreline stabilization and wake impact will likely be addressed in the environmental permitting phase.

Traffic and Mobility Concerns

• Atlantic Boulevard is already a heavily traveled corridor into Neptune Beach.

• 560 residential units, a marina, and commercial space will increase daily car trips, especially during peak boating and tourist seasons.

• The project includes a required traffic study and mitigation measures tied to permitting.

3. The Bigger Picture: Growth, Housing, and Strain

Both the Adventure Landing redevelopment and the Bellinger Shipyards project reflect a strategic push by Jacksonville to meet growing housing demand by converting waterfront or high-visibility parcels into dense, mixed-use communities.

But the cumulative effect is significant:

Schools & Public Services

• Hundreds of new residents will increase enrollment pressures on beach-area schools and demand on city services like water, sewer, fire, and police.

• If not addressed proactively, this can lead to overcrowding and service strain.

Roadways & Bridges

• The Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard bridges are already chokepoints for beach traffic.

• Without infrastructure upgrades, congestion is expected to worsen during peak hours and tourism seasons.

Environmental Considerations

• The Intracoastal Waterway is a sensitive ecosystem.

• Both projects must balance growth with stormwater control, shoreline protection, and boater impact mitigation.

4. A City Balancing Growth and Livability

Jacksonville’s leadership has made expanding housing supply a top priority to meet population growth and rising housing costs. But at the Beaches, these projects reveal the balancing act between development, infrastructure, and community identity:

• Yes, these developments will help meet housing demand and add amenities.

• But, they will also test the capacity of roads, bridges, schools, and waterways.

Whether this transformation succeeds depends largely on the permitting process now underway — ensuring developers and the city coordinate infrastructure improvements, protect environmental resources, and engage local communities.

5. What to Watch Next

• Rezoning and permit filings for the Adventure Landing site.

• Site development permits and shoreline/environmental reviews for 13911 Atlantic Blvd.

• Traffic studies and mitigation plans released to the public.

• Any city infrastructure upgrades announced in tandem with these projects.

Final Thoughts

The Intracoastal corridor is about to change dramatically. If done thoughtfully, these redevelopments could enhance Jacksonville’s housing supply, bring waterfront vibrancy, and create new recreational opportunities.

But if infrastructure lags behind growth, residents may face worsening traffic, environmental impacts, and a diminished sense of place.

This is Jacksonville’s challenge — and opportunity — in real time.