Originally slated to be a retention pond surrounded by a chain-link fence, this unique event venue was the result of a 15-year effort led by passionate volunteers. Thousands of hours went into building what would become the Riverside Arts Market visitors see today with the City of Jacksonville, including creating the name, layout, policies, and budget, and eventually bringing on staff. Activist and Riverside Avondale Preservation founder, Dr. Wayne Wood had a vision that was actualized by committee leaders Doug Coleman, Pamela Telis, Cindy Guy, and Theresa Fish, with expertise from Jeanmarie Grimsley and Michael Barnhart. District Councilmembers Jim Love and Michael Corrigan were indispensable leaders helping to advance legislation to secure use of the space. The award-winning design of the market, which features pedestrian pathways, landscaping, and picturesque lighting, was created by landscape architect Melody Bishop. The area is a City Park named Northbank Riverwalk Artist Square.

On non-market days, the RAM site is utilized as Black Knight Financial's parking lot. Throughout the week, the Riverfront Amphitheater is widely used as a public park, commonly known as Northbank Riverwalk Artists' Square, which forms the terminus for the Northbank Riverwalk. The Riverside Arts Market is a great example of public and private partnership with funding for its extensive infrastructure obtained from FDOT, the City of Jacksonville, JEA, JTA and Fidelity National.