Work continues on the seawall of One Shipyard Place. The $16 million seawall project will eventually be part of the Riverwalk. -- John Pemberton/Staff

First phase of Shipyards under way

The foundation of the $860 million One Shipyard Place is taking shape as Construction workers build the seawall cap along the Northbank of the St. Johns River near Alltel Stadium.

A worker checks out part of the seawall of the Shipyards project. -- John Pemberton/Staff

The $16 million project will serve as a buffer for the project that will extend from Kid's Campus to the Berkman Plaza, a downtown luxury apartment and townhouse development.

The first part of the project, which is divided into two phases, is expected to be completed in November 2003. The seawall consists of steel beams up to 68 feet long that are driven into the ground and a concrete cap that will eventually become a part of Jacksonville's Riverwalk.

One Shipyard Place, which is expected to take 10 years to complete, is planned to be first a park. Developers will then add about 100 condominiums priced as high as $1 million each, boat slips and, evenually, office space and a hotel. The project will receive about $75 million in public assistance. The first condos are expected to be completed during the first quarter of2004.

-- Earl Daniels/Staff