Riverfront Plaza unexpectedly gets a pond when contractors break water main

A park being built at the old Jacksonville Landing site in downtown is designed to have water features. The pond that formed Monday afternoon after a water line break isn't one of them.

The rupture from a contractor hitting the water pipe caused a pool of water on the Riverfront Plaza site near Independent Drive. The overflow from the big leak was spilling off the property and running down a side of Independent Drive.

JEA said it appears a contractor hit an 8-inch water main while digging into the site. JEA field crews have "isolated the damage" and the break did not affect service to any customers, according to the utility.

Construction of Riverfront Plaza started last July with removing a part of Independent Drive and realigning its connection to Hogan Street so more space is available for park amenities.

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Haskell, based in Jacksonville, is the company overseeing construction of the park.

The $25 million first phase includes rebuilding the bulkhead and riverwalk, turning a closed part of Hogan Street into a pedestrian plaza next to the Performing Arts Center, and building a grand lawn, native plant gardens, water play area and a playground that will be built on the roof of a cafe building.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Water main break creates pond at Riverfront Plaza in downtown