Jacksonville issues demolition permit for closed Southbank MOSH building as Northbank relocation plans advance
Permit clears the way for teardown of a 1968 riverfront structure
The City of Jacksonville has issued a demolition permit for the former Museum of Science & History (MOSH) building on the Downtown Southbank, authorizing the removal of the closed, four-story structure at 1025 Museum Circle. The permit was issued Feb. 16, 2026, and lists a project cost of $835,000 for the demolition scope.
The contractor named on the permit is ELEV8 Demolition of Jacksonville. The authorized work includes demolishing the structure and foundation and removing debris from the site. The property spans about 7.8 acres and is city-owned.
How the demolition funding was set up
The demolition permit follows action by the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA), whose board voted Jan. 21, 2026, to approve a budget transfer of up to $875,000 for demolition and related asbestos abatement. While the permit amount reflects the demolition portion as priced in the application, the broader funding approval was structured to cover additional environmental and compliance work typically required before and during removal of older buildings.
The Southbank building, developed in 1968, served as MOSH’s home for decades after the museum relocated there in 1969. MOSH was founded in 1941. The facility closed Sept. 1, 2025, as the organization shifted resources toward a planned move to a new location on the Northbank.
Why the site is being cleared
City discussions around the building have consistently focused on the practical limits of reusing the existing structure. MOSH has stated the building was structurally sound, but that major systems—such as plumbing, wiring and mechanical components—would require extensive updating. Demolition now positions the riverfront parcel for future redevelopment decisions by the city.
Development context on the Southbank and across the river
The MOSH parcel sits next to land controlled by The Related Group, where plans have been advanced for South Bank Residences, including a 25-story tower and an adjacent eight-story residential building and parking garage. The proximity to other major projects adds attention to the museum site as one of the remaining large, city-controlled riverfront properties in the Southbank core.
On the Northbank, the planned MOSH replacement site is part of approximately 8.68 acres near the Shipyards area, on the west bank of Hogans Creek where it meets the St. Johns River, south of VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena and VyStar Ballpark. Under the current agreement framework, MOSH will construct the new building and design a surrounding park; the city is slated to own the facility and lease it back to the museum under a long-term arrangement, while also funding public infrastructure and riverwalk work tied to the site.
- Demolition permit issued: Feb. 16, 2026
- Address: 1025 Museum Circle (Downtown Southbank)
- Building size: 83,299 square feet; four stories
- Permit-listed project cost: $835,000
- DIA budget transfer for demolition/asbestos work: up to $875,000 (approved Jan. 21, 2026)
The permit issuance is a key administrative step that allows demolition scheduling to move forward, while separate city processes will determine the future use of the cleared riverfront property.