With heavy smoke still billowing from an eight-story apartment building under construction in downtown Jacksonville, the devastating damage caused by an overnight fire is heart-wrenching. The building, located along A. Philip Randolph Boulevard in the sports complex, was engulfed in flames that required 110 firefighters to bring under control. Mayor Donna Deegan expressed her sadness over the incident, emphasizing the building was just a month away from its scheduled opening.
A Downtown Development Now at a Loss
The RISE Doro complex, developed by the Real Estate Company of Jacksonville, was set to become a prominent residential area within the city. Boasting a seven-story parking garage, 247 apartments, ground-floor retail space, and a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, the Doro aimed to attract residents who sought convenience and proximity to year-round sports and entertainment events at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, EverBank Stadium, the amphitheater, and the baseball park. It was an essential part of the city's plan to reach a milestone of 10,000 residents in downtown.
The fire has not only caused significant damage but also raised concerns about the safety of neighboring structures. The investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing, and the affected building has been deemed structurally unsafe. It will need to be demolished, ensuring the safety of nearby buildings and preventing further destruction.
Jacksonville firefighters try to contain a fire that started Sunday night at the RISE Doro apartments under construction across from the downtown sports complex.
The setback has left city officials and residents disheartened. The transformation of the former George Doro Fixture Co. manufacturing complex into a modern and vibrant residential building held great promise for the community. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan expressed her disappointment but also her hope for the project's revival and eventual completion.
What Happened and Is There Concern for a Collapse?
The fire, which started on the sixth and seventh floors of the building, quickly spread throughout the structure. The weight and water from firefighting efforts caused the collapse of lower floors, intensifying the damage. Firefighters had been familiar with the building and were well-prepared to tackle the fire. However, the potential for a collapse remains a significant concern as the structural integrity of certain walls has been compromised.
Sections of the west side of the RISE Doro apartment building show extreme damage Monday morning. Crews worked through the night to contain the fire that burned through the apartment building under construction on A. Philip Randolph Blvd. near the baseball stadium and the Veterans Memorial Arena.
Despite the immense challenges faced by firefighters, they managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures such as Intuition Ale Works, Manifest Distilling, and surrounding office buildings. These establishments will remain closed until the remaining structure is safely demolished.
Mayor Deegan, along with City Council member Jimmy Peluso, expressed their gratitude to the firefighters for their quick response, ensuring the safety of residents and preventing any casualties.
A fire in the RISE Doro apartment building caused smoke to be visible for miles Monday morning.
The fire at the RISE Doro apartment building has left the community devastated. However, the support and commitment shown by the developer, RISE, in continuing the project and rebuilding have brought hope for the future. The city and its residents remain resilient, determined to see the completion of this significant downtown development.
