Riverfront land in play

A developer has presented a $1.4 billion proposal to the city of Jacksonville to turn 48 acres of neglected city-owned property on the north bank of the St. Johns River into a yacht shipyard and marina.

Known as the Shipyards property, Shitaki Marine Enterprises, owned by Patrick Mullen, proposes to build a world-class yacht yard and marina there, according to news reports.

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan submitted a $35 million plan in early February to turn the area into an urban, walkable destination that connects his football stadium with downtown. It would include public park space, a riverwalk, and possibly residential, restaurants and a marina. But the site had once been home to ship repair and service, so Mullen revived the idea with his proposal in early March.

The city’s Downtown Investment Authority has issued a request for proposals for other ideas.