JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival took over the downtown area Thursday, with several street closures through Sunday.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the City of Jacksonville have announced the following street closures and parking resources for the duration of the festival, in addition to the U.S. Men's National Soccer Match against Scotland Saturday at 8 p.m.
Street Closures
Laura Street from Church Street to Independent Drive will be closed from 8 a.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27. Exceptions:
* Northbound lane from Duval Street to Church Street will remain open.
* Intersection of Laura Street and Forsyth Street will remain open.
* Intersection of Laura Street and Bay Street will remain open.
* Northbound lane from Independent Drive to Bay Street will remain open.
Adams Street from Ocean Street to Hogan Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27. Exceptions:
* Adams Street from Ocean Street to the 11 E. Forsyth St. garage will be open to local traffic only.
Hogan Street from Water Street to the St. Johns River will be closed from 8 a.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Sister Cities Plaza will be closed from Hogan Street to the cul-de-sac from 8 a.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Duval Street from Laura Street to Hogan Street will be closed from noon Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Independent Drive from Laura Street to Hogan Street will be closed from noon Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Duval Street from Ocean Street to Main Street will be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Monroe Street from Hogan Street to Main Street will be closed from 6 p.m. Thursday, May 24, through midnight Sunday, May 27.
Exceptions:
* Monroe Street from Hogan Street to Main Street will be open to local traffic only.
Main Street from Beaver Street to Forsyth Street will be closed from 7 a.m. Friday, May 25, through midnight Sunday, May 27. Exceptions:
* One lane on Main Street from Beaver Street to the Duval Street Parking Garage will remain open for parking access.
Parking
Metered parking will be available during the event. Meters are free after 6 p.m. weekdays and free on weekends. Meters on closed streets will be bagged. Local parking access for employee and resident garages will be maintained.
Several Downtown parking garages and lots are available during the event:
Yates Garage (200 E. Adams Street)
$10 per vehicle per day.
* Wendesday, May 23: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
* Thursday, May 24: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
* Friday, May 25: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May 26: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Courthouse Lot (300 Courthouse Dr.)
$10 per vehicle per day.
* Friday, May 25: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
* Saturday, May 26: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Water Street Garage (541 Water St.)
$10 per vehicle per day.
* Friday, May 25: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May 26: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Ed Ball Garage (214 N. Hogan St.)
$10 per vehicle per day.
* Friday, May 25: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May 26: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Forsyth at Main Lot (21 W. Forsyth St.)
$10 per vehicle per day.
* Friday, May 25: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May 26: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Duval Street Parking Garage (33 W. Duval St.)
Flat rate of $5 all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Lot open 24 hours each day.
Times-Union Center Lot (317 Water St.)
Normal rate and hours apply; lot open 24 hours daily at $3 an hour or $10 a day.
Jacksonville Landing Lot (E. Coastline Drive, immediately east of The Landing)
$10 after 5 p.m. Friday, $10 after 11 a.m. Saturday, $10 after noon Sunday; lot open until 3 a.m. all weekend.
Jax Center Garage (Bay Street across from Wells Fargo Center)
Saturday and Sunday event rate is $5 all day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Other Important Information
Skyway
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has announced the following special-event operating hours for the Skyway during the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival. The Skyway is FREE to all riders.
* Friday, May 25, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May 26, 11 a.m. to midnight
* Sunday, May 27, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
S.S. Marine Taxi
Water taxis will provide service from both sides of the river during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and children age 3 to 12. Hours of operation:
* Thursday, May 24: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Friday, May 25: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Saturday, May: 26, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
* Sunday, May 27: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hours are subject to change due to weather conditions.
Jacksonville Jazz Festival info
The 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Festival will take place Downtown May 24 to May 27. The festival centers around free jazz performances on multiple stages. In addition, there will be a Wine Down/Brew Town Tasting Experience and the Art in the Heart Downtown juried art show and sale along with jazz exhibits and displays. For more information on the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, visit www.jaxjazzfest.com.
Road Closures and Traffic Patterns associated with the Unites States Men's National Soccer Team vs. Scotland game on Saturday May 26. 2012, 8 p.m. at Everbank Field
Tips
*Union Street and Bay Street are the best routes into the sports complex; if you're parking on the west side of the stadium, these streets will get you to the parking garages and all of the lots on the west side of the stadium.
*Fans should try to cross the bridge into downtown that is closest to their parking space, not the bridge most convenient to their origination point.
*Fans should be familiar with their parking location before game day.
*There will be closures associated with the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Sign boards will direct drivers into the appropriate lanes for designated lots.
Inbound Traffic - Pre-game traffic patterns will begin at 5 p.m.
*Bay Street will have 2 lanes eastbound and one lane westbound from 5 p.m. To 8 p.m.
*Signage will be posted in the downtown area to direct event traffic parking lot locations.
Outbound Traffic - Post-game traffic patterns will begin at 10 p.m.
*Gator Bowl Blvd. at Festival Way will be one way northbound.
*Bay Street/Gator Bowl Blvd. Starting at Lot "J" will be one way westbound.
*No provision for traffic access to the stadium area post event for 45-minutes to one hour.
*Taxi stand is located at the North End of the stadium, near Gate 3.
First Coast News