That's the great thing about that location, there are no real Nimbys, at least not residential.

2 towers project may get new life

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

Hines Interests LP, an international real estate developer with an estimated $14 billion in assets, could partner with developers of the proposed Riverpointe twin-tower residential project on the Southbank, according to city documents.

The privately-held Houston company builds, manages and buys both residential and commercial properties in 13 countries and is responsible for the upscale Palencia subdivision in northeast St. Johns County.

Boynton Beach company Krook Douglas Development first proposed the side-by-side 48-story residential towers in March and gained design approval from the Downtown Development Authority's Design Review Committee five months later.

The plans called for 550 residential units and 65,000 square feet of retail space on a parcel of land between the St. Johns River and the Aetna building, the former Prudential building. If built as designed, the 750-foot structures would be the tallest in downtown Jacksonville.

According to recent internal Jacksonville Economic Development Commission communications, Riverpointe developers would not ask the city for incentives to help develop the project but are seeking development rights for the parcel.

Except for their appearances at public hearings, Krook Douglas representatives have been fairly quiet about Riverpointe and are not actively marketing the project. They did not return phone calls requesting comment for this article.

Walter O'Shea, Hines' Jacksonville-area representative, said Hines is looking at a number of opportunities in Jacksonville and the Riverpointe project is one of them.

"Of the deals we start chasing, you pursue five and maybe you get one, so I kind of put this in the category of one that we're pursuing," O'Shea said.

JEDC e-mails say Hines is "going to partner" with the twin-tower developers, but it is unclear what role Hines would play in Riverpointe's development. O'Shea would not elaborate on Hines' potential involvement with the project or discuss the deal's sticking points. Riverpointe would be Hines' first involvement in a Jacksonville project.

Jacksonville real estate analyst Ray Rodriguez said Hines' involvement would bring more credibility to the twin-tower project than a smaller, regional company like Krook Douglas on its own.

"Can they pull it off, and can they do a good job? Based on their portfolio and what they did with Palencia, I would say yes," said Rodriguez. "They know how to pick prime spots, and they hire the best people -- they're smart."

Hines has built properties in the United States, France, China and other countries and has worked with such renowned architects as I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry.

Downtown development is governed in part by a development of regional impact document, which aims to manage traffic loads in different sectors for given land use types. Residential, commercial, institutional, hospitality and retail developments put different strains on traffic, and JEDC monitors new projects for compatibility with the DRI.

"The Aetna towers project is requiring more residential than the DRI originally allotted for the Southbank," said JEDC spokeswoman Jean Moyer. "If you grant these units to one project, that will affect future ones, so you want to be careful how you allocate those rights."

Because Riverpointe would add 550 units to the Southbank, JEDC would have to decrease a proportional amount of office space or other land use in the area to balance the traffic load.

Moyer said JEDC staff were scheduled to meet this week to discuss various aspects of the Southbank DRI, including the possibility of extending the lengths of some of the document's phases.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

Glad to see it moving forward with a bigger name attached to it.


I don't like how Emporis has it listed as 619' each. Perhaps I'll email them this article too. They need to get San Marco village in it as well. And.....they just need a Jax representative on staff. I nominate Lakelander.

How does everyone feel about these very large building being built on the south bank? I would rather they be built on the north bank to complement the structures that are already over there. I think this will make our skyline look kinda funny.

I'd be happy if we could get the JEA project going just to redress the imbalance a bit.

I wouldn't worry about the Northbank skyline, because there are several things moving quietly along that will most likely result in several new towers stretching the skyline all the way to Alltel Stadium. This includes LandMar (a big-time company) taking over the 44 acre Shipyards, Berkman II getting started, and the city opening the new library and buying the huge Ed Ball building, which will enable them to sell the old library and the city hall annex to developers, looking for high-profile property.

Well if the towers really do inch closer and closer to the stadium, do you think they would ever consider stretching the skyway to include alltel stadium? I'm sure the football fans would love that.

There are already plans to extend the skyway to Philip Randolph Blvd, once Bay Street develops. With the new town center, Berkman II and the Shipyards coming online very soon, I could seriously see this been done for the next super bowl push, which is still probably 5 -10 years away.

Lakelander -

Do you have a good feeling about LandMar and the Shipyards ?

^Yes, LandMar is my firm's largest client. They're owned by Cresent Resources, who is owned by Duke Energy. From what I've experienced, this company has deep pockets and so far their track record is pretty impressive and their developments have been equally successful. If the deal goes through with the city, expect to see something impressive pop up on that site, sooner than later.

Obviously I don't have the direct connection Lakelander does but I too have seen nothing but great things from LandMar and they do seem to be more expediant than most developers.

Stellar begins condo project in Jax Beach

Workers will begin construction this spring on a condominium project on N. 1st Street in Jacksonville Beach called Serena Point. The first phase will be a seven-story, 54,200-square-foot condo tower for Serena Point LLC. The 17 units will range in price from $700,000 to $900,000.

Stellar Contracting will provide construction management services for the project, in conjunction with the architectural and engineering services of Rink Design Partnership and Connelly & Wicker Inc.

Stellar spokesman Mark Sherwood said the exact starting date for construction will depend on the permitting process.

The second phase will be a town home development adjacent to the first phase with prices ranging from $900,000 to $1.2 million. The two phases of the development will share amenities including beach access, an oceanfront pool and spa, and climate controlled storage.

Completion of the project is scheduled for the summer of 2006.

© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.

It's good to see Jax Beach getting a share of this growth spurt we're having.

Lofts project wows the DDA

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022505/62567_400.jpg

73 one- and two-bedroom condo units would be marketed in the $300,000s.


By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union
The Downtown Development Authority's Design Review Committee is known for meticulously dissecting its applicants' architectural plans, often debating details as minute as brick textures and awning angles.

But the committee rounded out Thursday's monthly meeting by unanimously approving a project that left its members nearly speechless.

Andre and Carla Bahri, husband-and-wife owners of a half-acre parcel of land bounded by Union, State and Main streets downtown, want to turn the busy corner into The Lofts at East Union, a 10-story residential condominium building, complete with two floors of controlled-access parking and 8,000 square feet of ground-level retail space.

"Wow. It's about time in Jacksonville," said committee member Tripp Stanley after the Bahris' presentation.

Stanley and other members praised architect Tony Jarzyna's design -- multi-tone brick facades, understated street-level detailing and tree-lined rooftop terraces.

"So we have a [parking] garage that doesn't look like a garage. I don't think you can do that in Jacksonville," joked committee member Oliver Barakat.

Since its inception, the committee has sparred with downtown developers over parking decks, pushing architects to wrap and conceal garages rather than build them as standalone structures.

Committee members also expressed excitement about the prospect of a large-scale residential project on downtown's northern boundary, a building that would connect the vitality of Springfield with the burgeoning residential urban core.

If built, it would be the first residential project in downtown's so-called "church district" since the city began emphasizing downtown housing development in recent years. Most previous condominium and apartment projects, such as 11 E. Forsyth, Berkman Plaza and St. Johns Place, have been located in the central business district, along Bay Street or on the Southbank.

According to the Duval County Clerk's office, the Bahris bought the vacant land for $350,000 in October. They plan to build 73 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, which would be marketed in the $300,000s.

Carla Bahri said her company, Main Street Development Corp., would likely approach the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission about city incentive options.

"For now, everything is still in the works," said Bahri.

The company does not yet have a construction timeline, she said.

In other business, the commission gave final approval to the design of Sax Seafood and Grill restaurant (formerly Jax Casual Dining) planned for La Villa, deferred a vote on a T-Mobile cell phone tower, and gave conceptual approval to a medical office park proposed for San Marco.

Committee OKs Riverside building

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022505/62568_400.jpg

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union
The Downtown Development Authority's Design Review Committee gave final approval Thursday to a 13-story office building proposed by Riverside Avenue Partners LLC.

The 200,000 square-foot office building and attached two-story parking deck is adjacent to the Fidelity National Financial campus on the corner of Riverside Avenue and Forest Street.

The partnership purchased the piece of land from Fidelity in 2004, and its members plan to develop and eventually occupy the building.

"It's a group of professional service firms in town, longtime independently-owned firms, that just feel like the downtown area is a great place to be and a great investment," said Paul Lunetta, the partnership's spokesman and an employee of Harden & Associates, a Jacksonville-based insurance services and employee benefits company.

Lunetta confirmed that Harden & Associates is one of the partner firms that will eventually move to the new building, but he declined to disclose the names of the partnership's other firms. The builder does not have a start date for the project.

The Lofts project is very pretty. It looks just like one of Jax's older-style buildings. The new tower to go up on Riverside isn't bad looking, either. Plus, think of all the people who will be working out of that building that are probably currently working in other parts of the city. I'm so glad to see more and more money, jobs, and housing being put into the Northbank areas. And, little by little, the skyline is growing. Midrises like these mentioned above will give the Northbank skyline a little more heft, and hopefully will pave the way for larger towers to come.

Nice updates.. I like the design of the loft project but I'm especially excited about it's location. I think that the Springfield/Main St. area is prime for development..

I gotta question about the new Riverside building, though.
http://www.imageweb.info/images/GCf19160.jpg

Is this part of the Fidelity master plan??
http://www.imageweb.info/images/06C19344.jpg

They proposed this a while back and its on the first page where all the projects are listed. I think the address is where Fidelity planned to expand, so I was curious. If it is then thats pretty cool cause I thought all the buildings would look just like the Fidelity building, so it'll be neat to have a diverse cluster of buildings like that, it would be cool for the skyline. If it isn't, then is the Fidelity master plan scrapped??

Well, I searched the thread about discussion of the Fidelity expansion because I was positive we discussed it before and I found this post by Lakelander..

from this rendering, I'm not to fond of what I see so far. I hope the overall master plan everybody speaks of, will make this turn out a lot better.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/111904/49874_400.jpg

By CHRISTOPHER CALNAN
The Times-Union

Changes to the design of a proposed Fidelity National Financial Inc. building were small, but the reaction it caused Thursday was much different from three weeks ago.

The Downtown Design Review Committee approved the company's master plan and an eight-story office building despite only slight changes to an earlier design criticized by committee members.

Fidelity swayed committee members by giving them a better look at how the new building will fit into the company's long-range plans for the Riverside Avenue site.

"They shared the entire master plan," committee member William Stanly said after the meeting. "Last time, there were a lot of vacant pieces. Now they really defined what it could look like, and that helped us see how that one piece fit into their puzzle."

Last month, the committee deferred voting on the earlier version of the plan after Stanly and committee member Kelly Elmore criticized Fidelity's plan.

Elmore said the proposed building's design was "uninspired." Concerning Fidelity's plan to line Riverside Avenue with parking decks, Stanly said, "I think you've forsaken the street."

But Thursday, the plan got mostly praise by the committee.

"I think the building looks great," committee member Jonathan Garza said. But "it's not necessarily perfect in terms of aesthetics."

The latest design removed a parking lot between the proposed office building and an existing building. It also added trees between the proposed building and the St. Johns River and an additional floor.

However, the new plan calls for the exterior of the building to be the same basic design, and Fidelity National parking decks would still line Riverside Avenue between the street and company buildings.

Fidelity National officials contacted committee members since the previous meeting and explained the company's larger plans. And they presented renderings showing how the role new buildings will play in the company's master plan, Downtown Development Authority Managing Director Al Battle said.

"I think they provided the level of detail showing why certain building were situated where they were and did a better job showing how the new architecture will fit in with the existing architecture," Battle said. "The nuances were small."

The company, which moved to Jacksonville last year, already has three office buildings on the site.

In addition to the eight-story building, the company plans to build two parking garages along Riverside Avenue, a two-story garage and a five-story. The proposed master plan also calls for a 13-story office building at Riverside Avenue and Forest Street, and two other office buildings of unspecified height.

Project architect Jeffrey Rolland said he met twice with Stanly between the initial committee meeting and the second. Stanly said he looked at the other parking options, and the garages along Riverside Avenue was the best choice.

Frederic Parvey, Fidelity's director of corporate real estate and construction, said Thursday construction on the new building is scheduled to start in late January and be completed in 2006. He said 1,600 to 1,800 employees would work in the building.

Last year, Fidelity moved its headquarters from Santa Barbara, Calif., into the former Alltel Corp. building at 601 Riverside Ave. after acquiring Alltel's mortgage business.

christopher.calnanjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4404

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._17228400.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111904/bus_17228400.shtml).

So, the expansion "master plan" is a go, and this new building on Riverside and Forest is part of it. Is that correct? The article said that the eight story building in the rendering would start construction in late January, has it started yet?

i don't think so, but i could be wrong.

however, it seems like they've completed substantial portions of the large parking garage across the street. for some reason it seemed much taller than i thought it would.

Although its hard to see, here's the layout of Fidelity's recently approved master plan.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/012405/57705_400.jpg

So, the expansion "master plan" is a go, and this new building on Riverside and Forest is part of it. Is that correct? The article said that the eight story building in the rendering would start construction in late January, has it started yet?

Yes, the new 13 story tower, to be located on the corner of Riverside and Forest, is a part of the master plan. However, Fidelity sold the small plot land to another developer, who will be responsible for building this tower.

Land clearing has already begun for the 8 story, 280,000sf Fidelity office building. Its the big orange block, closest to the river in the master plan drawing. Unfortunately, a parking garge will sit between it and Riverside Avenue. Hopefully, it will include a little retail, like the planned 13 story tower next to it.

The large parking garage across the street is well under construction now. It looks to be at least 5 or 6 stories, with street retail on the corner of Rosselle and Riverside Avenue.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/assetpool/images/0531194350_m2painting.jpg

By Melissa Ross
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- State transportation officials and the JTA are working on long-simmering plans to bring a huge new transportation complex to the Prime Osborn Convention Center that would unite Amtrak, Greyhound, JTA buses, and the Skyway in one big hub.

The facility would cost $127 million, with both federal and state money funding the project.

Council president Elaine Brown is meeting with Mayor Peyton next week to discuss plans for the proposed "Jacksonville Transportation Center," or JTC. The center would also feature a hotel, retail space, and pedestrian walkways.

"It could be the hottest place in Jacksonville," said Brown, who conceded getting the funding will be a challenge.

Wow ! Bet this has been in the offing for awhile.

Has any of the funding been secured ?

I've heard rumors about this ever since I moved here, back in 2003. It looks like its getting ready to move up to the front burner. I'm not sure, but there may be money set aside for this from the Better Jacksonville Plan. I'm sure there will be more new about this in the upcoming week.

It really looks like it will revitalize the deadzone between the financial district and Prime Osborn.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/030205/63344_400.jpg

Transportation hub grows into $127 million plan

By DAVID BAUERLEIN
The Times-Union

A plan to transform part of downtown Jacksonville's LaVilla neighborhood into a transportation hub for trains, buses and the Skyway has grown much more ambitious and expensive since officials presented a previous proposal in 2000.

The new "vision" for a Jacksonville Transportation Center would cost $127 million.

The state Department of Transportation is sending the proposal to local, state and federal agencies for their feedback. But as before, there is no construction funding for the project, which has been discussed since the early 1990s. The state hopes to get 70 percent of the cost financed by the federal government.

In 2000, the state Transportation Department estimated it would cost $56 million to move Amtrak and Greyhound to a transportation hub at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. After a June 2000 public hearing on that plan, further study has added more kinds of transportation to the proposed center, said DOT project manager Craig Teal.

There also would be a multi-story Jacksonville Transportation Authority bus terminal, a rapid transit station for either light rail or express buses, a Skyway station parking garage, and a traffic management center for high-tech monitoring of traffic conditions on major roads. The plan also identifies places for a future office building, a hotel, and residences.

"We just feel this is going to be a tremendous economic engine running in this area because of the multimodal center," JTA spokesman Mike Miller said.

City Council President Elaine Brown said making the plan a reality boils down to "money, money and more money."

She said it's part of the long-range solution to traffic gridlock and could fit in with an expanded convention center.

"What would you do as a conventioneer in an area like that right now?" she said. "But to have entertainment, a pedestrian walkway, a town center ... It could be one of the hottest areas in Jacksonville."

Because of the changes since 2000, DOT will need to conduct another public hearing on the proposal after getting more of the engineering design completed. Teal said the public hearing will probably occur around April 2006.

"We've taken a couple of steps back," Teal said. "It's no longer just Amtrak and Greyhound."

First Coast News reporter Melissa Ross contributed to this report.

david.bauerleinjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4581

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/030205/met_18104281.shtml.

Wow, this could be huge! I like the renderings and the descriptions so far, so I'm crossing my fingers that this happens. Plus, the first thing that came to my mind after reading this was 'Do you know how much space this will free up?'. If they move the JTA bus terminal to this project then that will free up the FCCJ station terminal, which is just blocks away from CBD highrises like the JEA Tower. I'm sure that area could easily be rezoned for a major highrise. The bigger one is the Greyhound Station which is smack dab in the CBD, across the street from the BellSouth tower and blocks away from the space cleared for the county courthouse. That would make an awesome space for an office tower.

I mean, there is alot more dilly-dallying left before this thing happens but the effects this would have could potentially go beyond just the immediate impact of revitalization.

Exactly, moving the bus terminals out of the center of downtown is a big factor driving this project.

Book company buys Furchgott’s

by Carrie Resch
Staff Writer

Downtown bookworms saddened by the loss of B. Dalton in the Landing can soon get their fix again when a new bookstore opens in the old Furchgott’s department store building. The Hudson Book Company, primarily an Internet and wholesale book business, has purchased the 60,000 square foot building at the corner of Hogan and Adams streets for more than $2 million.
The first floor of the building will house a retail book shop and the remaining floors will be used as a warehouse to store books. Hudson Books is relocating from its Lenox Avenue location where they sold used, rare and out of print books.

Negotiations with the sellers, Hogan Street Limited, started in the fall and the deal was closed at the end of January.
Tom Hudson, the owner of Hudson Book Company, could not be reached for comment.
Addison Commercial Real Estate negotiated the sale.
“We’re real excited to see it happen,” said Duke Addison, president of the real estate company. “It’s a reflection on what is going on in the market and faith in downtown development.”
According to Addison, this deal worked for this particular type of company because no onsite parking spaces were needed and they didn’t negotiate for city incentives like some of the other potential buyers did.
“He (Tom Hudson) had confidence in the downtown real estate market,” Addison said.
Addison has had the building on contract four times in the past few years but those deals fell through.

“It will be nice to have a bookstore, I think people will enjoy that and I think everybody will be excited,” said Natasha Zaulyanov, who has opperated her business, Natasha’s Tailoring, on the first floor of the building for 10 years. She also used to be a tailor at the department store and now the bookstore will be opening in the space next to hers.
Furchgott’s was one of the downtown anchor stores along with other icons such as May Cohen’s and Levy Wolf but each gradually closed in the 70’s and early 80’s as shoppers stayed in the suburbs.
Owned by the Sadowsky family, Furchgott’s was a true “department store” with departments for men’s, women’s and children’s clothing.
After the store closed, various ventures tried to make the space work — a health club owned by James Stockton Jr. was in the basement for several years — but it lately has settled in as a row of sandwich shops.

Great news about the transportation hub! I'd been hoping for this to happen at the PO center to a long time. It just seems like the logical thing to do, IMO.

BTW, here's a pic of the building that will become Hudson Books

http://img129.exs.cx/img129/8926/hudsonbooks0zq.jpg

Its the fourth building at the end of the block, in this pic. Right next to the skyway.
http://img129.exs.cx/img129/25/adamshudsonl2bx.jpg

Oh, so thats where the bookstores gonna go... Man, I party there all the time whenever I'm in Jax at the REAL TING CAFE. Its a reggae club and they have an awesome Saturday Night called Island Night or something and all the Carribbean chics come out. But neway, where is it gonna go exactly? I know the Real Thing Cafe is in the front and on the other side is a cafe/deli (Zodic or sumthin?) and then theres a tailor, which was mentioned in the article. So, there must be a space next to the tailor on the other side fronting the skyway? It kinda sucks that the whole building will be used just to store books, I mean those would make awesome renovation lofts or studios. Especially since almost that whole two block area is or is slated for renovation projects: Barnet Bank, Marble Bank Trio, the Carlington, Lerner lofts, etc.

But hey, i couldn't imagine downtown without an awesome bookstore. So, I guess its a lose/win..

Heres an article from today's business section. I found it when I was snooping around the internet. I thought it interesting cause maybe it gives us a time-frame for the big transit project. I figure the sooner city government makes a decision regarding upgrading the Prime Osborn or building a new convention center, the sooner city government can move on the transit project or find out if its worth it if Prime Osborn isn't the convention center.


Still looking for a convention center


The Convention and Visitors Bureau says it's imperative, but there is little momentum elsewhere to get one built.


By CHRISTOPHER CALNAN
The Times-Union
The drumbeating for a new convention center in Jacksonville didn't stop when the city's top tourism advocate, Kitty Ratcliffe, left town for New Orleans in October.

Ratcliffe, former president of the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, led the fight for a new convention center. And her pet issue continues to ring on with the help of the CVB's board.

The CVB says the city needs a new and larger convention center because Jacksonville has outgrown the Prime Osborn Convention Center, a converted railroad terminal. Potential alternatives would be costly, in the hundreds of millions of dollars, but giving Jacksonville another revenue source would be worth the investment, CVB officials say.


Meanwhile, Mayor John Peyton has been uninterested in discussing the issue, citing more pressing matters. And the city's Tourist Development Council, which is chaired by the City Council's president, is equally quiet about the topic.

Undaunted, the CVB continues banging the convention drum, however hollow some consider the sound.

Last month, the bureau's board reviewed the results of a privately funded convention center location study that examined eight or nine potential sites. The study won't be released until the CVB makes its final recommendation after the additional months it will take to study all of the options.

"If you know if something is right, you continue to advocate for it," CVB Chairwoman Margo Dundon said. "Times change and it's the hope that the case we make is so convincing that priorities shift and new ideas are embraced."


Differing perspectives

The Prime Osborn, which opened as a convention center in 1986, has 78,500 square feet of exhibit space. That's not enough, CVB officials say.

They want a center with at least 200,000 square feet of exhibit space to compete with cities like Charlotte, N.C. or Birmingham, Ala., for convention business.

Nationally, plenty of localities look to conventions as a way to revitalize flagging downtowns. But the convention business has been on a downward spiral since 1997 or 1998, said Heywood Sanders, professor of public administration at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Sanders said he spent nine months on a report released in January by The Brookings Institution. Sanders' report, called "Space Available: The Realities of Convention Centers as Economic Development Strategy", found that attendance at the 200 largest tradeshows are now at 1993 levels.

However, cities are going ahead with plans to build or expand convention centers. Since 1990, convention space increased by more than 50 percent. During the last decade, public spending on convention centers doubled to $2.4 billion annually, according to the report.

Attendance has dropped because tighter security has made air travel more difficult, and teleconferencing improvements have lessened the need for exhibitors, Sanders said.


Also, consolidation of business sectors and the decrease in the number of independently owned retail stores hurt the convention business. Modern-day stores like Wal-Mart, Staples or Home Depot are so influential their buyers don't attend tradeshows, Sanders said.

"They don't have to go to conventions to see new products," he said, "the products come to them."

Dundon said the Sanders report is flawed because it looks at such a short period of time, including the post-Sept. 11 downturn. She also said statistics provided by several industry groups contradict Sanders' findings.

For Example, Smith Travel Research is forecasting a 4 percent increase in demand for U.S. hotel rooms this year, largely because of more meetings and conventions.

"There's a tremendous rebound that's happening right now in the convention and meeting industry," Dundon said.

Former Mayor John Delaney said he's not concerned about the CVB leading the push for a new convention center. But he and Peyton agree there are "competing needs" to be balanced.

"We need to look at it and get a price tag on it," he said. "But I don't know if that's the next big financial investment the city should make. If you're putting $250 million into economic development, is a convention center the place to do it?"


Self serving?

Dundon readily admits that the city's elected officials have yet to determine what role the tourism industry should be playing in Jacksonville.

Mike Weinstein, former executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, agrees. And the CVB, which clearly has a self interest expanding convention business, has taken the lead, he said.

Without any plan or strategy by elected officials, the CVB's pursuit of and studying sites for a convention center is simply illogical, Weinstein said.

"To me, what level of tourism do we want to attract? That's the crucial question," he said. "I've always thought we were answering the second question before the first."

The nine-member TDC, a public body which includes three City Council members, three hotel owners and three hospitality industry representatives, should determine the proper level of tourism for Jacskonville. The CVB isn't objective enough to make such a determination, Weinstein said.

"What we need is a community-based decision," he said. "There's been a void there that's been filled by the CVB, but it's not going anywhere. We're asking the same questions we asked 10, 15 years ago."

Peyton, through his spokeswoman, Susie Wiles, declined to comment on the convention center matter.

TDC Chairwoman Elaine Brown said city officials are frustrated because the CVB has been unable to come up with a plan everyone agrees on.

"I don't think it would be out of the question for the CVB to make its case to the TDC to get its support and to start building that consensus," Brown said.

Businessman Charles "Bucky" Clarkson, a local developer who opposed construction of the Adam's Mark hotel because it conflicted with his own plans for a downtown hotel near the Prime Osborn, attributed the city's inaction on the convention center matter to poor leadership.

City Council runs the TDC, and the mayor runs Council, Clarkson said.

"The mayor sets the agenda," he said. "Nobody cared about downtown until [former mayor] Jake Godbold did. Nobody cared about the smell in the city until [former mayor] Tommy Hazouri did. It's all about leadership."

Godbold said Delaney offered Ratcliffe $45 million of Better Jacksonville Plan money to expand the Prime Osborn. But Ratcliffe declined the offer in favor of a more ambitious -- and expensive -- facility along the St. Johns River, Godbold said.

Ratcliffe couldn't be reached for comment.

Delaney said figures discussed with Ratcliffe ranged from $10 million to $50 million. But in the end, Ratcliffe considered it a waste of money to invest more into the Prime Osborn, Delaney said.

Dundon said the Prime Osborn is large enough for just 5 percent of the conventions in the United States. A new 250,000 square foot facility would increase that figure to nearly 60 percent, putting Jacksonville in the running for much more convention business.

But Sanders said larger convention cities like Orlando are offsetting dropping attendance by going after more of the smaller conventions that would typically come to Jacksonville.

"Jacksonville is by no means out of the woods or free from the larger competitive pressures," he said. "When Orlando is looking for business, they look where they can."

It's pie-in-the-sky dreaming to expect Jacksonville to become a major convention city, Godbold said. Instead, the city should go after middle-size convention business with an expanded Prime Osborn and adjacent hotel.

"I think we're wasting time debating if we should build a new convention center. It's not going to happen," he said. "They can talk about it and be cute with figures. It doesn't work."

Double Post

I think what we development guys want is for the Prime Osborn to be upgraded, right? I figure if the transit centre project is to happen it would likely be more succesfull if the Prime Osborn is a convention center. That way there is a destination to TRANSIT to. I mean yea the retail will be there and the town center and what not but I think the transit project would just flourish by a convention center, especially one upgraded with hotel rooms and etc. So that finds us pitted against the CVB who demand nothing less than a brand spanking NEW convention center.

How good of an upgrade/renovation can the Prime get anyway?? Methinks the opportunity is there to make the Prime a world-class convention center. There are several dirt lots across from it (also across from the Federal Bank Branch). Also there is dead space behind the Osborn. Now the Prime itself, which houses the exhibition space, I don't know about because it is an old structure and I'm no architect. But like I said there is dead space behind it and it could be expanded it if they just get creative.

The other scenario is if the convention center is moved and then maybe the Transit Center can find a way to incorporate the Prime in its plans, maybe for the train station..

Both sides, for and against, building a new convention center make good points. However, I think that its best and easier to expand the Prime Osborn, considering there's more available land there than anywhere else in downtown. If I had my way, I would have taken the $45 million and constructed exhibition space and a mega parking garage on the large parking lot behind the city that was once the railyard. Then I would have worked with Clarkson to construct that Marriott hotel he wanted to build on the long blank piece of property between Prime Osborn, the skyway line and the Federal Reserve Bank. If Ratcliffe had taken that money, the thing expansion would have been completed by now.

BTW, many of the first floor tenants in the building where Hudson Books is going in will be kicked out. Hopefully officials will work with these business owners to locate in vacant retail spaces, a block west, in the Ed Ball Building and across the street from it. After all, the city plans to move hundreds of workers there, later this year and the Duval Courthouse site is only a block to the west. If Da Real Thing Cafe has to go, I'd love to see it move to the Bay Street Town Center. I think it would become a much more popular place if people could see it from the street.

Jacksonville: LandMar launches Shipyards plan

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/031005/64326_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/031005/64327_400.jpg
The downtown pier would also feature a waterfall, grassy areas and trees.

Jacksonville's LandMar Group LLC unveiled a rendering of an arch with a 100-foot-high mast that would be at the end of a 680-foot existing pier on the St. Johns River as part of the public portion of LandMar's redevelopment plans for the downtown Shipyards project. The pier would also feature a waterfall, grassy areas and trees. LandMar President and

Chief Executive Officer Ed Burr said Wednesday that the pier would be "a place where the people of Jacksonville could get on the river, not just along the river." The plan calls for a circular public park along the river near the mouth of Hogan's Creek with a theme inspired by a Timuquan Indian village. LandMar is scheduled to present its Shipyards plans at today's Jacksonville Economic Development Commission meeting. The pier project is expected to cost $3.5 million.

Christopher Calnan/The Times-Union

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031005/bus_18175976.shtml.

great stuff....I really like that lofts project that was approved too:):)

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

The Adam's Mark hotel is something of a deal magnet, and a new prospect is feeling its pull.

Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group LLC, a San Francisco company that bought New York's Metropolitan Hotel in 2003 and acquired a $100 million Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Md., last year, is working on an Adam's Mark deal -- company representatives met with Mayor John Peyton on Monday and were expected to hold a news conference that day to announce plans for the property.

But details of the deal remain murky, and downtown's largest hotel has seen its share of suitors.

Rumors of its impending sale have bubbled for nearly a year -- Marriott International Inc. came close to buying the 966-room property last summer, but the agreement fell through after the city nixed an $8 million incentive package for the purchase.

And upscale hospitality company Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. was poking at the property as recently as December, before the Adam's Mark's owner, St. Louis-based HBE Corp., pulled it back off the market, according to Starwood spokesman Mark Ricci.

Robert Kline, president of Oxford Lodging, said Tuesday that he could not talk about the Adam's Mark.

"Right now we have no comment. We're restricted by confidentiality," said Kline. "We certainly can talk with you at the end of the month."

HBE chairman, president and CEO Fred Kummer was unavailable for comment.

City officials and downtown business leaders have been murmuring about a potential Adam's Mark deal for days.

"It's an investment group that's buying it, and Hyatt would put their flag on it and manage it," said Toney Sleiman, owner of the Adam's Mark's next-door neighbor, The Jacksonville Landing. "Everyone in town is talking about it."

Sleiman said he was interested in purchasing the Adam's Mark last year and that he has "been talking to them all along" about the property. According to Sleiman, the hotel's current asking price is about $100 million.

City Council President Elaine Brown said a news conference about the proposed deal was scheduled, but that the event never materialized.

"I had heard that it is a Hyatt flag and that the deal is done," said Brown. "It was supposed to be announced on Monday."

A Hyatt Corp. spokeswoman did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Local publications The Financial News and Daily Record and The Jacksonville Business Journal posted articles on their Web sites Tuesday afternoon confirming that the deal between HBE, Oxford Lodging and Hyatt was done, citing unnamed sources.

Local developer Charles "Bucky" Clarkson, who once opposed the Adam's Mark's construction because it conflicted with his own plans for a downtown hotel near the Prime Osborn Convention Center, said Oxford is just one of the companies looking at the Adam's Mark.

"I've been aware that there have been ongoing discussions and negotiations, and Oxford is definitely one of the ones involved in the negotiations," said Clarkson. "If it comes to fruition, and it's Hyatt, Marriott, or Westin, it becomes very positive for downtown. It's a very important next step for downtown."

Susie Wiles, a spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said Oxford Lodging's meeting with Peyton was "very cordial," and "just a courtesy visit." She would not elaborate on the details of the meeting or confirm whether the group discussed possible city incentives with the mayor.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._18231469.shtml.

Kings Avenue Station to house restaurants, shops, office-condos

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/031605/65039_400.jpg

Jacksonville developer Michael Balanky said he completed a deal with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to lease 1.5 acres in San Marco to develop the Kings Avenue Station, comprising 70,000 to 150,000 square feet of office and retail space, next to the Kings Avenue parking garage.

Balanky is managing principal of Kings Avenue Redevelopment LLC and also is developing the San Marco Place condominiums near the Southbank, not far from the Kings Avenue project.

"We are talking to a couple of large office tenants," he said. "The nice thing about the site from an office perspective is once you get over four stories, it will be the most visible site from Interstate 95."

Balanky proposes up to an eight-story office building within the project that could be leased to a single tenant. The site also will include restaurants, retail shops and office-condominiums. He expects to announce some tenants in about a month.

He said the ground lease with JTA is for 70 years.

The Ervin Lovett & Miller architecture, planning and design firm designed Kings Avenue Station.

Should Publix Super Markets not locate at a separate site in San Marco being marketed by Wachovia Corp., Balanky said his site could accommodate it.

Karen Brune Mathis/The Times-Union

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._18230743.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031605/bus_18230743.shtml).

Developers have bids ready for site in San Marco

A central piece of San Marco property is in play again for shops, housing, offices and perhaps a long-awaited grocery store.

That prime property, a former target for a Publix-anchored center, sits along Atlantic Boulevard at Hendricks Avenue. SouthTrust Corp. had been marketing the site, but Wachovia Corp. recently bought SouthTrust and is considering possibilities for the land.

Councilman Art Shad said Wachovia issued requests for proposals several weeks ago. Developers were asked to tell Wachovia what they would pay for the land, with a requirement that the property include a Wachovia Bank branch.

Wachovia spokesman Kevin Bezner said Tuesday that the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank company "did request information from companies about how they might develop the property, but we are only at the research stage."

The land makes up about 70 percent of four blocks. "This property is the heart of San Marco. You draw and circle around San Marco and put a star in the middle, and this is it," Shad said.

We hear at least eight developers could be interested, including Jacksonville-based Sleiman Enterprises and Regency Centers, Miami-based American Land Ventures and St. Petersburg-based Sembler Co.

Retail center developer Toney Sleiman, who bought The Jacksonville Landing on the Northbank, referred questions to Wachovia.

Regency Chairman Hap Stein confirmed his company's interest. "I think there's an opportunity to do something special there from a mixed-use standpoint," Stein said, agreeing that "it could be a good location" for a Publix. Regency is a leading developer nationwide of grocery-anchored shopping centers.

Sembler public relations director Amber Overby confirmed that Sembler bid on the property, but cannot discuss the proposal. Sembler developed the Riverside area Publix center.

Sembler formerly had a contract for the San Marco site with SouthTrust, but dropped it about a year ago, citing land costs.

American Land Ventures, which is developing the Strand and Peninsular residential towers on the nearby Southbank riverfront, also confirmed its interest. "We made a pretty sizable investment, and we want to leverage off of that market," said American Land President President Granvil Tracy.

Tracy said his group was considering about 100 residential units, retail shops, a grocery store and the Wachovia branch. He said there were no specific plans for a Publix, although "it may be nice" to have one. "There generally was interest by a number of different grocery chains," he said.

Publix has yet to confirm a San Marco store. "We would love to be in San Marco. If the deal is right, we will be there, but there are no plans at this point because we don't have a signed lease," said spokesman Dwaine Stevens.

Lori Boyer, president of the San Marco Preservation Society, invites developers to pay the group an early visit. "We would hope that any prospective purchaser would come talk to us in advance of developing detailed architectural designs" that require city review and City Council approval. "Often we are able to support the ... application that comes before the council," she said.

Shad did not know the development time frame, but is ready. "We will move as quickly as they would like to because it's an important corner we would like to see developed."

karen.mathisjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4305

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._18230931.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031605/bum_18230931.shtml).

Adam's Mark sale confirmed to West Coast investor group

By CHRISTOPHER CALNAN
The Times-Union

The owner of the downtown Jacksonville Adam's Mark hotel, the city's largest, said Monday he plans to sell it next week to an unnamed West Coast investor group that would probably operate the hotel under the Hyatt name.

Fred Kummer, president of Adam's Mark's parent company, the St. Louis-based HBE Corp., confirmed the sale but declined to reveal details such as the purchase price or the identity of the buyer. A San Francisco-based hotel investment group that met with Mayor John Peyton earlier this month continued to decline comment Monday.

"The hotel will be transferred on the 31st of the month," Kummer said. "I finally deemed that it was in our best interest to sell the hotel. Jacksonville is a tough market because it's such a small city for a large hotel. Maybe it takes more marketing clout than we possess."

Hyatt is negotiating with the buyer for the management contract for the 966-room hotel, Kummer said. But three Hyatt officials didn't return telephone messages seeking comment Monday.

Hyatt operates several brands of hotels with varying levels of quality. Its Park Hyatts and Grand Hyatts are the company's two luxury brands, mostly operating ias smaller hotels. Because of the Adam's Mark's size, it would probably be branded as a Hyatt Regency, said Jeff Weinstein, editor in chief of Hotels magazine.

Hyatt Regencies are middle-market, four-star hotels that compete with Marriott, Hilton and Omni hotels, he said.

John Reyes, president of the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Hyatt would be good for Jacksonville because it's adept at marketing its hotels along with the cities they're located.

"If it is Hyatt, that's going to mean the product would be favorable to Jacksonville," he said. "I know their track record going into major metropolitan areas has been very successful."

Toney Sleiman, commercial real estate developer and owner of The Jacksonville Landing, said last week he was told the asking price for the Adam's Mark was $100 million. Sleiman said he was interested in purchasing the hotel last year.

Earlier this month, Oxford Lodging Advisory & Investment Group LLC met with Peyton, and the company president said he wouldn't talk about the meeting until the end of the month, the same time period Kummer said the deal would be finalized.

The mayor's spokeswoman, Susie Wiles, also declined to provide any details about the meeting. On Monday, Cody Bradshaw, a director of Oxford Lodging, declined comment.

Oxford Lodging bought New York's Metropolitan Hotel in 2003 and acquired a $100 million Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Md., last year.

HBE opened the Jacksonville Adam's Mark in 2001. The hotel was the NFL's headquarters for last month's Super Bowl XXXIX.

In July, after a proposed deal with Marriott International Inc. fell through, Kummer said he never intended to sell the property, but Marriott's offer was too good to dismiss.

Kummer has sold most of his 24 hotels so he can concentrate on his core business of building hospitals. A year ago, he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he planned to sell all his hotels except five: Denver, Dallas, Buffalo, St. Louis and Jacksonville.

Marriott and a private investment group offered to buy the Adam's Mark for $97.1 million if it received an $8 million loan from the city, according to city records. The group and Marriott planned to spend $18.5 million on renovations and related costs, but the city refused the request and the deal fell through.

The Jacksonville Adam's Mark was initially expected to cost $120 million to build. However, city records indicate its owners had invested $130.6 million in the property as of Dec. 31, 2003.

--------------------------------------------------
Global Hyatt Corp.

Global Hyatt is one of the world's top operators of full-service luxury hotels and resorts with more than 200 locations in about 40 countries. Its core hotel brand, Hyatt Regency, offers well-appointed rooms, fine dining, and exceptional service targeted primarily to business travelers and upscale vacationers. The company also operates properties under the names Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt. Its resort destinations offer golfing, spas and other upmarket rest and relaxation activities. Although Global Hyatt was formed in 2004, the Hyatt chain traces its roots back to 1957. The company is owned by the Pritzker family of Chicago.

Source: Global Hyatt Corp.
--------------------------------------------------

christopher.calnanjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4404

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at [url=http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032205/met_18283456.shtml]

These parking garages, now under construction, will add street level retail space in the sports district, as well as eliminate two surface parking areas.

From FTU's "In the Pipeline Section"

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/121603/17050_400.jpg

Site clearing for Sports Complex parking garage, 500 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. between East Duval and East Ashley streets, on 2.61 acres, 89,138 square feet, $49,500; agent is Kris Krismanth, president; engineer is The Haskell Co.; developer is Metropolitan Parking Solutions; for 1,000 parking spaces.

Site clearing for Arena Parking Garage, 999 Adams St. between Lafayette Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, on 0.83 acres, 34,800 square feet, $5,300; agent is Kris Krismanth, president; engineer is The Haskell Co.; developer is Metropolitan Parking Solutions; for 480 parking spaces.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._18319355.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032805/bus_18319355.shtml)

Jasonhouse, man, I think you should keep the sticky's on Jax and Orlando even if they are kind of quiet - you never know when they will get hot and I think they might get hard to find, which would be a shame.

I can't believe all of the development going on the in San Marco area. The
Kings Ave Development sounds like a sweet deal. Hopefully Publix decides to
occupy some space through there. It will definitely be an assest to the area
with all of the resedential being constructed on the South Bank.

The Northbank/Southbank battle will soon be in full swing. Once something is
agreed upon for the Shipyards a real "Downtown" neighborhood will come to
life. I can't wait to see the skyline in five years!!

Look out Tampa, here comes Jax!!!

More family moving to Jax. I've been telling people about the new residential projects downtown and now my cousin and his good friend(my godbrother) are getting an apartment at The Carlington. He's gonna be working at the Main Library just 1 1/2 blocks from his building.

Its really exciting to know that in the near future downtown will be filled with thousands of residents like these. Who live, work and play all in downtown. True "Urban Pioneers" as the advertisements say!

Springing back in Springfield

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/040705/68020_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/040705/68051_400.jpg

Local developer planning $8 million retail, condo complex in historic area


By RYAN GEDDES, The Times-Union

San Marco-based real estate developer Cesery Cos. is planning a new $8 million retail and condominium complex in Springfield, at the corner of Main and 3rd streets, on a site that's now home to a used car lot.

Co-owners Barbara and Bill Cesery said they have the half-block site under contract and are planning a four-story development featuring about 40 condos, 7,500 square feet of retail space and about 70 parking spaces.

"Rather than waiting to find a building, we decided to create our own building," said Barbara Cesery, in an interview at the family's offices on San Marco Boulevard.

Cesery Cos. has been active in San Marco in recent years, developing the block of storefronts that is home to upscale restaurant Bistro Aix and renovating a nearby school last year into a for-lease residential project called Lofts San Marco.

The brother and sister also manage property in Arlington, where their father, William Cesery, was a pioneering developer in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Ceserys said a move into Springfield is a logical next step for the company because of its location convenient to downtown and its historic architecture.

"It's going to be the next desirable place to live," said Bill Cesery.

But he admits he was not always a believer in the old neighborhood's charms. Thanks to pioneering infill developers and rock-bottom interest rates, Springfield has been springing back after decades of decay.

The Lofts at Third & Main, as they have been tentatively named, would sell from about $250 to $275 per square foot.
Special to the Times-Union

Once known for crime and blight, the neighborhood's tight grid of streets is now crowded with construction vehicles. Small-time remodelers painstakingly retouch paint on Queen Anne fixer-uppers next door to colorful craftsman knockoffs created by ground-up developers like SRG Homes & Neighborhoods.

On a Wednesday morning tour around Springfield with Mack Bissette, SRG's CEO, the construction activity is intense and neighborhood-wide. The company has built 30 historically-inspired homes in Springfield and has 21 more under construction. Driving up and down Springfield's streets, Bissette points out a handful of sites in Springfield where developers like the Ceserys are planning commercial or multifamily projects to both complement and take advantage of the residential growth.

"They're putting about $1 million into that one," says Bissette, pointing out a halfway-finished building on the corner of Laura and 4th streets.

The site will eventually be home to the offices of Meeks, Ross, Paulk & Assoc. LLC, an accounting firm making a move into a mostly residential area of Springfield.

A few blocks to the northwest, Bissette rolls by the future site of Symbiosis Investments' $17 million retail, office and residential loft complex on three corners of 8th and Pearl streets, just down the street from Shands Jacksonville.

But of all the new mixed-use developments in Springfield, Cesery's would be closest to downtown, and that proximity is what the company would be offering, said Bissette.

"What they are selling is that view," said Bissette.

Although the site's immediate vicinity is populated by a gas station, a vacant lot and a tired-looking storefront, Jacksonville's skyline looms to its south.

And the Lofts at Third & Main, as the Ceserys have tentatively named them, will rise 45 feet from the ground, giving residents a good look over their neighbors' heads at the city beyond.

Although Cesery Cos. did not have an estimate of the project's total cost, they said the units would sell from about $250 to $275 per square foot. The second-floor condos would be smaller flats and the two top floors would be two-story townhouses, the Ceserys said.

The company is still working to get approval from the city for Lofts at Third & Main, but it has already had successful meetings with Springfield Preservation And Revitalization Council and other community groups, Bill Cesery said.

"We are moving forward, and we anticipate starting to sell these by fall and to start construction by the end of the year."

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040705/bus_18415120.shtml

Ok, now I like to think I am keeping up, but THREE 35-story OFFICE towers? What? Miami is not even building that . . .

Bid Date: December 2005 Est. Start Date: January 2006

Description:
New construction and site work for a mixed-use community in Jacksonville. Schematic plans are calling for three, 35-story office buildings, 1,500 condominium units in two 28- and 30-story towers, a nine-story, 200-room hotel, a 28,000-square-foot grocery store, and 90,000 square feet of retail.

Construction is expected to commence in January 2006. Interested parties should direct inquiries to the developer.
http://www.bidclerk.com/projects/projectDetail.jsp?projectID=b80026e8-dc41-4f37-bce5-a849391edad5

this is san marco riverwalk
6. San Marco Riverwalk Hotel (9 stories/200 rooms) - const. starts spring 2005
7. San Marco Riverwalk condo tower (28 stories) - late 2005 groundbreaking
8. San Marco Riverwalk condo tower (30 stories) - Jan 2007 groundbreaking
9. San Marco Riverwalk condo tower (35 stories) - Jan 2006 groundbreaking
10. San Marco Riverwalk condo (35 stories) - 2011
11. San Marco Riverwalk condo (35 stories) - 2011



Last modified Tue., August 24, 2004 - 02:23 AM
Originally created Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Huge development in Southbank's plans

$500 million project includes 3 35-story towers,
hotel, park

By M.C. MOEWE
The Times-Union

A $500 million project proposed for Jacksonville's
Southbank calls for the construction of six buildings
-- including three 35-story towers -- bringing 1,500 residential units, a public riverfront park, retail shops and a 28,000-square-foot grocery store, the developer said.

"This is really a city within a city," said Steve
Pardo, a principal owner in Riverwalk Hotels, LLC, who
said he submitted his project plans for San Marco
Riverwalk for city approval Monday. "It will provide
all the public and private amenities for those who
live there residentially."

Plans call for the eventual demolition of the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, the Chart House restaurant and about 2,000 square feet of office buildings standing on the 17-acre site at Riverplace Boulevard and Prudential Drive. "We intend to operate the hotel through 2010 and beyond depending on market conditions," Pardo said adding he plans to do a multimillion-dollar renovation to the 21-year-old hotel.

The office buildings will be torn down after the Super
Bowl in February, Pardo said. His company is
negotiating with the 20-year-old Chart House to open
in one of three planned restaurant sites.

It takes an average of 115 days for the approval
process. Pardo said he is tentatively scheduled to
submit his plans to the city's Design Review Committee
on Sept. 30. The project's three construction phases
are expected to take seven to 10 years to complete.

The Miami-based company plans to submit a proposal
that will ask the city for an as yet-undetermined
amount of incentives for the public-accessible area of
the development, Pardo said. Those areas include a
park, 45,000 square feet in retail shops, the three restaurants, the hotel and a marina that can accommodate up to 300 boats.

Jill Leavy, with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, said her office has not received that proposal.

Although his company will go ahead with the
residential development regardless, the city support
is crucial for the public accessible areas, Pardo
said. "In order to have the public amenities such as
the park and grocery store and the retail, we will
need to have the support of the city," he said.

If all goes smoothly, his company will begin
construction in spring 2005 on a nine-story hotel with
200 rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space,
Pardo said. "We have not finalized the franchise but
it will be a four-star hotel," he said.

The boutique-style grocery store will be located on
the ground floor of the 28-story tower in 2007 or
2008, he said.

Construction on the first of three 35-story
condominium towers would begin January 2006, Pardo
said.

"The Southbank is going to change," said Suzanne
Jenkins, the city councilwoman whose district includes
the area. "Now it's very suburban. Everything is going
to go up. It's going to have a much more urban feel as
you go toward the river."

Although she hasn't seen the plans, Jenkins said she's
hopeful that the project is a good fit for that area.
"If it's designed well it would be," she said. "It
makes sense to have your most dense area in or near
downtown. That's more bang for your buck. We already
have the roads built there. We have sidewalks, sewer
and water."

While the construction schedule would depend on market conditions, Pardo said his company plans to begin building a second residential tower in January 2007, located riverfront near Riverplace Boulevard. The final two towers that will require the demolition of the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel won't begin until the other structures are built.

The towers will sit on top of parking garages which
will be hidden by town houses to create a small-town
feel, Pardo said. The retail shops will be on the
riverfront. "It'll be boutique shops, which will
create an extension of San Marco," he said. "The
street will be lit to create a quaint, picturesque
atmosphere."

The city was recently entangled over another
riverfront project, The Shipyards, a proposed $860
million residential and commercial development on the Northbank. Announced in 2001, the project received $35.6 million in public incentives. But recently the city said developer Trilegacy Group LLC misspent the money and forced it to give up control of the project.

A new developer has until December to decide whether
to take over that development or the city will take
control.

Mayor's Office spokeswoman Susan Wiles said she had
heard of the Southbank project but was reluctant to
discuss it.

Yep, nobody around here is building 35 story office towers. The tallest office tower getting ready to go up is a 13 story tower, by Riverside Partners, LLC on the northside of Fidelity National Financial's headquarters. All other major office projects, at this point, are ranging from 8 to 12 stories. The old JEA tower addition, will be 31 stories, but it will be a mix of condos and office space.

Lakelander, when will construction begin on the JEA tower addition? I think I saw a rendering of it and it should be a nice looking building. Also, any idea on the total height in feet it should be?

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._18493841.shtml

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/041605/69349_400.jpg

By RYAN GEDDES, The Times-Union

Main Branch LLC wants to convert the 40-year-old building into retail, loft office and residential space that would retain the building's iconic 1960's look and feel. The developers would build 20 condominiums on top of the building, which the group's architects say was originally built to accommodate additional stories.

Main Branch comprises downtown property owner Robert van Winkle; developer and downtown consultant Tony Allegretti; Brooklyn Arts & Design Center founder Mark Rinaman; architects Melody and Bill Bishop; and Jack Shad, co-developer of the Five Points Theater project in Riverside.

Melody Bishop worked with the Haydon Burns Library's original architect, Taylor Hardwick, and designed the recently-opened Riverwalk extension.

Shad said the group believes it can develop the property without city incentives.

"Downtown is reaching the point where the market can take over," said Shad.

The group envisions a restaurant and nightclub on the ground floor of the building's south side, along Forsyth Street, and is talking with small grocery store operators about a market or bakery on the north side of the building, said Rinaman.

The library, 122 N. Ocean St., is the city's main branch and will be surplus property when the new Main Library opens in September. In March, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission issued a request for proposals for the 110,000 square-foot property, which is worth $4.5 million, according to an appraisal commissioned by the city last year. That figure includes both the building and the property it sits on.

In January, San Marco-based Peterbrooke Chocolatier expressed interest in purchasing the site for a new headquarters and interactive manufacturing facility, but Michael Clapsaddle, chief of buying and administration for the city, said no companies have submitted bids yet.

The city will accept sealed bids on the property until May 4, and would make a decision by June 3.

from southeast.construction.com

Joint Venture Will Combine Condo with Marina in Jacksonville

Hines of Jacksonville announced that design has begun on a joint venture with the South Shore Group to develop a high-rise condominium in downtown Jacksonville. The Riverpoint project, estimated at $100 million, will offer 300 units, a 120-slip marina and an extension to the Southbank Riverwalk. Ground breaking is expected in early 2006.


Ocean Side Development Under Construction at Jacksonville Beach

The Stellar Group of Jacksonville has started construction of The Tower, a seven-story, 54,200-sq.-ft condominium complex to be known as Serena Point. The two-phase project will consist of units priced from $700,000 to $900,000. Completion is scheduled for summer 2006.

Jacksonville Adds to Booming Business Construction

W.G. Pitts Co. of Jacksonville was selected for preconstruction services and management of Hampton Professional Park in Jacksonville. The 43,000-sq.-ft. condominium-style office park will consist of three buildings designed by Powers Design Architects and will be located only minutes from the new St. Johns Town Center.

What happened to Aquatechnica or whatever they're called? Are they still on board to design Riverpointe?

^ Yes, they are still the architects. That's the good news. The bad news is that it will only be 40 stories.

^^Boy am I shocked. Dropped down to 40 floors (so far). I knew this would happen. Am I psychic or what? Can't wait to see 'ol Arkitinknotechno's design for this (ha!). Lemme guess: It'll be a boxy rectangle with blue or green, or blue-green, glass, accented with white concrete (for that "beachy" feel), and neon accents. And, if we're lucky, it'll maybe scratch 400'. And I don't wanna hear no lip, cause ya'll know I'm right.

^I'm still waiting for a rendering. Since the first tower is proposed to have 300 units and the footprint can't possibly be that big, I doubt it drops below 40 floors.

^^Boy am I shocked. Dropped down to 40 floors (so far). I knew this would happen. Am I psychic or what? Can't wait to see 'ol Arkitinknotechno's design for this (ha!). Lemme guess: It'll be a boxy rectangle with blue or green, or blue-green, glass, accented with white concrete (for that "beachy" feel), and neon accents. And, if we're lucky, it'll maybe scratch 400'. And I don't wanna hear no lip, cause ya'll know I'm right.



why are you such a hater,you could atleast wait for the damn renderings,but don't expect to see much because this is only a100 million dollar project which doesn't get you anything

40 floors? Hell, I'll take 30 floors at that site, because a year ago, no one ever figured a highrise building could even fit on it, let alone, be built without asking for city incentives.

And I guess one could also argue that $100 mil goes farther in Jax than in Miami. So it could still be a spectacular building.

It should be nice...Lok at that Beaut St Pete is getting, which is only 34 stories, but will own the skyline.

They have designed some of Miami's best buildings and I'm excited that Jax is getting this project. I'm sure this is gonna be an awesome building and an enhancement to the skyline.

More importantly, it's bringing residents downtown.. This project along with Peninsula and all the other Southbank projects will bring alot more people and density to downtown, which really needs it.

There are 9-10 20+ story buildings planned just for the SouthBank.

By Melissa Ross
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Five companies are now vying to buy the old Haydon Burns Library at 122 Ocean Street in downtown Jacksonville, with everything from condos to chocolate being proposed for the site.

Generating perhaps the most buzz is Peterbrooke Chocolatier. Peterbrooke wants to renovate the existing building into a sweet downtown attraction, complete with cafe, chocolate factory, even a "Candy College," where students could study confection making. An old auditorium would be transformed into a "Chocolate Cinema," showing movies about -- what else -- chocolate.

Peterbrooke founder Phyllis Lockwood Geiger, who named the company after her two children, Peter and Brooke, says the bid is modeled on European chocolate factories that draw visitors from around the world.

"Downtown will never be the same once we get started, and we're very excited," said her son, CEO Peter Behringer.

But Peterbrooke has competition. Four other companies also submitted bids for the library site, which is valued at $4.5 million.

The Atkins Group wants to tear down the building and construct condos, retail shops and a movie theater.

The Main Branch LLC also has a plan for mixed use on the site, as does the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund. Vestcor was the fifth bidder.

"If we succeed we want to take downtown to new heights," said the Fire and Pension Fund's John Keane.

"We have a strong proposal and hope it's accepted," said Steve Atkins. His company offered $5 million for the property.

Keane says his bid came to $6.5 million. Peterbrooke's is $4.5 million, with the future economic impact of a chocolate attraction estimated at $78 million.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission will evaluate the bids based not only on purchase price, but also financial capital, the quality and experience of the developers, the economic impact analysis submitted, and the construction schedule.

An announcement of the winning bidder is expected by June 3rd, with the City Council then voting on the JEDC's decision.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=36645

why are you such a hater,you could atleast wait for the damn renderings,but don't expect to see much because this is only a100 million dollar project which doesn't get you anything


Gee, that's the first time I've ever been called a "hater". Guess it takes one to know one, huh Mad Hatter?

In defense of myself, though, I guess I was disappointed in the height reduction. I was stoked about Jax getting a new tallest, and now it won't happen. I don't think any skyscraper enthusiast actually enjoys seeing a tall proposal for their city reduced in height. And if I can't let out a little hot air about that here, where can I? Arquitecktonica is a good architecture firm, and I have seen many of there projects that I have liked. I'm just not a fan of their skyscrapers (I'll say it again: Too boxy). I'm sure whatever goes in at the Aetna place will look nice, and it'll give the SB a huge boost. But, I got my hopes up with the first proposal. I guess I expected too much.

^ I feel your pain. I was dissappointed too.

Top bid for JEA site: $40.6 million

Some surprised by high offer for property

By RYAN GEDDES, The Times-Union


A Jacksonville Beach company has emerged as the high bidder on JEA's piece of prime riverfront real estate, but the runners-up aren't giving in yet.

Cowford Riverfront LLC is offering $40.6 million for JEA's 25-acre Southside Generating Station site downtown, about 12 percent higher than its closest competitor.

Toll Brothers Inc., a Fortune-500 company and luxury residential builder, bid $36.4 million for the property.

"We hope that the JEA board will look into the suitors' background and expertise as well as the overall dollars being offered on the table," said Greg Brown, land acquisition manager for Toll Brothers' North Florida division.

At the Tuesday afternoon bid opening at JEA's downtown headquarters, Cowford's high offering price raised eyebrows and elicited surprised comments from some of the 20 spectators, many of whom were fellow bidders.

Cowford officials declined to comment on their bid or talk to the Times-Union about their company. But Douglas W. McNeill, who is listed as the group's principal member in its bid documents, is president of Case Pomeroy Properties Inc., a subsidiary of New York-based Case Pomeroy & Co. Inc., which invests in and develops residential and commercial real estate. Cowford and Case share a Marsh Landing Parkway office address.

Florida Division of Corporations online records show Cowford Riverfront LLC was created Thursday, and no officers are listed.

Third-place bidder Falcon Group offered JEA $22.7 million for the Southside Generating Station, about 44 percent lower than Cowford's bid. But Falcon, an affiliate of Coral Springs-based Transeastern Homes, also offered to build a 12.6-acre public Riverwalk as part of its bid package, which it estimates would cost about $4.8 million.

The other bidders and their offers are: Jacksonville Land Co., $18.1 million; Cherokee Investment Partners, $18 million; FLO-RICO Southside Associates, $16.5 million; and LandMar Group LLC, $15.6 million.

LandMar Group recently received City Council approval to take over development of the Shipyards project, across the St. Johns River from the JEA site.

The Southside Generating Station is on the Southbank, east of the Duval County Public Schools headquarters building, along the St. Johns River.

JEA put the property up for sale in February, the second time it has marketed the former power plant site. The utility tried to sell the parcel in 2003 but could not come to terms with local real estate firms Haskell Co. and St. Joe Co., who both made a series of offers for the land.

In its most recent bid request, JEA states that "bids will be evaluated on the basis of the highest offered price by a responsive bidder."

Bob Renaud, director of business development and public affairs for Haskell Co., said he was "absolutely stunned" when the $40.6 million was read aloud at the bid opening. Haskell did not bid on the property or represent one that did, but the company has expressed interest in doing design or construction work for the site's eventual developer.

Two appraisals commissioned by JEA in 2004 showed the property was worth between $27 million and $29 million. But those appraisals included about 10 acres of riverfront land that the Mayor's office later asked JEA to set aside for park space.

"I'm glad to hear that people thought the land was worth more than we had on the appraisal," said JEA board chairman J.D. Collins. "I was confident downtown land on the river would command a pretty high price."

JEA spokesman Ron Whittington said all bids must be verified by the Office of General Counsel before JEA considers them official.

The winning bid must be approved by JEA's board of directors, which meets June 21.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/051805/bus_18766773.shtml

Here's a quote from a forumer at UP, who's involved with the Toll Brothers $36.5 million bid, about their plans for the site, if chosen.

I work for Toll Brothers the 11th largest builder in the nation based on sales $. They purchased Richard Dostie Homes here in 03. Toll is based in Philadelphia and has recently jumped full force into infill. They purchased the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards and are currently developing that prime urban tract. Last year we purchased a company named Manhattan Building Company to handle the urban side of our business which is vastly different than the suburban developments Toll is known for in the northeast. One other large project that we recently undertook is the old Maxwell plant in Hoboken, NJ that overlooks Manhatten, that project would be the closest to what we could do on the JEA site.

One thing Toll does understand is density. Our plans were extremely preliminary, however it would have included a brownstone product (similar to Product being built on the former Philadelphia Naval Yard), 2 to 3 highrises 20 to 25 stories, and an urban old world retail sector...retail with residential above in 3,4, or 5 story buildings with varying facades to look like they had been there. The highrise design was still up in the air to fit in.

Toll is mostly known for luxury suburban homes, but our sr mgmt will build 'housing where ever people want to live.' Visit tollbrothers.com to see info about the Naval Square, Maxwell Place on the Hudson. Go to "Find a Home" and choose "Community Type" = Urban Living.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/052705/75092_300.jpg


By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

The city's Design Review Committee had an imposing list of proposed downtown development projects to review at its monthly meeting Thursday, even after three items were deferred.

The committee, a branch of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, signs off on new building designs downtown and ensures all new or renovated projects comply with the area's zoning.

Among the concepts the authority approved Thursday: LandMar Group LLC's proposed Riverwalk extension at the Shipyards, which includes a 680-foot-long public pier and a series of historically-themed parks; Metropolitan Parking Solutions' Downtown Parking Garage near the site of the proposed Duval County Courthouse; Fidelity National Financial's three-story private guest lodge; and a proposed Easton Sanderson & Co. apartment, retail and office condominium project.

The Fidelity project received final approval, and the others were approved conceptually -- the authority will need to review them again before the developers can proceed with construction.

Easton, Sanderson & Co., Sofar Properties Inc. and the Farah & Farah law firm announced a nine-floor office building and apartment project at 323 Duval St. in December, but the group's makeup and its development plans have changed.

Easton, Sanderson principal Sam Easton said his company is leading the development effort and that Eddie Farah and Chuck Farah are still partners. Sofar Properties has dissolved, but member Ray Solomon is still involved, said Easton.

The proposed project, at the corner of Duval and Pearl Streets, now comprises 12 stories of office condominiums, a 456-space parking garage and 52 apartment units that would later be converted to residential condos. Easton plans to develop the residential units at the Ambassador Hotel, a property he owns that is adjacent to the proposed office building site. The project will cost about $50 million, Easton estimated.

The site is a block away from both the Federal Courthouse and the proposed Duval County Courthouse. Mayor John Peyton halted the county courthouse development process last year amid concerns about cost overruns.

Easton is hesitant to go forward until that issue is resolved. "I'm not anxious to pull the trigger until I hear the courthouse is going there," he said.

The authority deferred a vote on Fidelity National Financial's proposed pedestrian crosswalk, which would be built over Riverside Avenue to connect its new parking garage with its Riverside campus, and Vestcor Cos.' request for an exemption from the city's requirement that new downtown parking garages have a retail component. The authority was also set to discuss a sign on Vestcor's Carling apartment building downtown. That issue was also deferred.

All three issues are scheduled to be discussed at the authority's June meeting.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/052705/bus_18846795.shtml.

I stumbled upon a document with this rendering of the proposed Laura Street Trio project on it at work today. It looks like they plan to construct some type of glass tower, elevator shaft or atrium to connect the Florida Life and Bisbee Buildings. Hopefully something will be built in the vacant lots surrounding the buildings too.

http://img238.echo.cx/img238/4354/lauratrio1gf.jpg

7 story historic Jones Furniture building to house law offices (http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2005/06/06/story4.html)

Liz Flaisig
Staff Writer

DOWNTOWN -- It was built to capture the furniture business after a 1901 fire destroyed much of Downtown Jacksonville.

Now, the former Standard Furniture Co. building on North Hogan Street is being transformed into an office complex for attorneys who frequent the 2-year-old U.S. Federal Courthouse a few blocks away.

The North Hogan Street property, also known by its later name of the Jones Brothers Furniture building, is owned by O.U.R. Properties Inc., a private investment group that owns several Downtown lots and buildings, and whose members include local businessman Chris Hionides.

Though Hionides did not return phone calls seeking comment on the seven-story structure's redevelopment into an office building, architect Steven Hutchins said he has designed the renovation of the Spanish Revival-style commercial structure with law offices in mind.

To Hutchins, updating the Jacksonville landmark structure for modern use while preserving its historic features is a unique task.

"The building was designed with a particular use and time frame in mind," said Hutchins, owner of Jacksonville-based Steven Hutchins Architects Inc. "When we become involved, we have to do the research and figure out what the original architect's objectives were and what they were trying to accomplish. Then, our objective is to restore to the greatest extent possible what it was before, while making decisions that close the gap to a contemporary design for a different use."

Striking the balance between old and new, in the case of this 1926 structure, means restoring significant features such as the exterior tan and dark brick face that sits on the building's concrete frame, Hutchins said.

The prism glass above the street-level entrance from its 1954 renovation will also be refurbished and the roll door built to bring furniture in and out replaced, he said.

Other exterior architectural features Hutchins deemed worth preserving include the seventh-floor windows with wrought-iron balconies and spiral columns and a decorative wrought-iron staircase visible from the inside lobby.

Hutchins is also designing the 5,000-square-foot office spaces on the second through seventh floors, which Hionides hopes to lease to attorneys.

Hutchins' wife, Vibha, is subcontracted to design the 2,000-square-foot lobby.

Because the space formerly served as a furniture showroom and loading bay, Vibha Hutchins said she has chosen materials that will make it "feel like a throwback to the grand lobbies" of the past and a contemporary place that can accommodate an intimate meeting or midsize group.

That means keeping the inside ground-floor area open, using a rich color pattern and employing modern muted lighting techniques.

The couple expects their respective designs to be completed and out for bid in the next two months, with an eight- to nine-month construction period,Steven Hutchins said.

Hutchins' last job for Hionides was designing a portion of the East Bay Street block. He has redeveloped more than 20 historic structures in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

lflaisig@bizjournals.com | 265-2227

This proposal is starting to sound pretty good. The city will select a developer for the site on June 18th.

Quote by Jacksonvillian at UP

Some additional information was released yesterday in a planning meeting I attended regarding the Ocean Square development proposal for the Haydon Burns Library RFP.

Ocean Square would consist of approximately 220,000 total square feet, made up of 70 condo units ranging from 1500 square feet to 3300 square feet. Pricing would range from 239k and up to 1M for penthouses. Condo amenities would include a private club with riverviews and a outdoor terrace at the third floor.

As for the retail elements, there is a total of 17500 square feet of retail "store" space that would be most likely a large national book seller or music/media outlet (Barnes & Noble, Borders, Virgin, or Tower Records) however the developer indicated that they were still open to the possibility of a boutique market/grocery vendor if the market demand remained following the southbank introduction of Publix, etc.

In addition to the retail, there would another 10,000 square feet of restaurant & movie theater. The restaurant would an upscale/nightclub-like environment that is connected to the outdoor plaza that is slightly elevated, but still accessable from street levels fronting Forsyth and Ocean Streets. The theater would be modeled after a classic "movie palace" with a modern twist, the interior would be three stories high with a massive screen.. possibly Imax compatible??, 600 seats with integrated tables for orders from the restaurant and bar. Apparently the restaurant and movie theater combo is a done deal!

Here's the best part for you high-rise lovers, 175 feet high of living space and 190 total feet to the top of the structure. That's 10 feet shy of 11E next door. Apparently the original rendering was a bust as far a color, scale & design elements... the facade of the building is modeled after a chicago-style design utilizing a blended color brick and limestone cladding, architectural freizes and high-performance glass... none of that mediterranean look the original rendering hinted at. A new rendering is in the works and may be released before the decision on the 17th of June.

As for parking, its mostly underground garage, but there would be some surface parking and service area off-street between the building and the 11E garage just west of the site.


I don't know about anybody else... but this all sounds great to me!!

Jvillian

I read this post ^^ the other day and am very happy this see this happening. Great news!! :)

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/061705/78360_400.jpg
existing Haydon Burns Library

http://img83.echo.cx/img83/2916/oceansquare10pb.jpg
a rendering of the Atkins Group proposal

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

The Downtown Committee has picked three of the five proposals for the redevelopment of the Haydon Burns Library site and is sending them to the city's Competitive Sealed Proposal Evaluation Committee for further examination.

--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------

Atkins Group Inc., Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Main Branch LLC received the highest scores, but the committee decided the scores were so close that CSPEC should conduct interviews with company representatives to make a final decision.

Out of a possible 100 points, Atkins Group scored 68.18 points, Peterbrooke Chocolatier scored 62.71 points and Main Branch scored 56.54 points. The other two bidders, Police & Fire Pension Fund and Vestcor Cos., received 20.71 points and 50.17 points, respectively.

The city has scheduled a tentative date of July 8 for the CSPEC interview sessions.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission requested bids on the library in March. The 1960s building becomes available when the city opens the new Main Library on Hemming Plaza later this year.

Read more about the next phase of the library bid process in tomorrow's Times-Union.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061705/bus_business.shtml.

Riverside apartments targeted for demolition, condos
Stewart Verney

A local developer plans to buy a riverfront apartment complex in Riverside, tear down the buildings and construct condominiums and townhouses.

Midland Development Group, which is developing the 1661 Riverside project near Five Points, hosted a town hall-style meeting Wednesday to discuss its plans for the Riviera Parkway complex on St. Johns Avenue. Midland officials were not available for comment.

The 14-building complex is valued at $4.4 million by the Duval County Property Appraiser's Office. At the meeting, arranged by Midland and Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), Midland officials said they have a contract on the property but have not yet bought it.

Bonnie Grissett, president of RAP, said Midland officials outlined a plan that includes a six-story building on the riverfront flanked by two four-story buildings. Grissett said some RAP members are unhappy with the six-story building idea, but Grissett likes the fact that the buildings will have some space between them.

The existing Riviera Parkway buildings have been renovated and altered sufficiently in the past that they are not worth preserving as historical structures, Grissett said.

"They're non-contributing structures because of the changes they've made [over the years]," she said.

Grissett said Midland officials came to RAP to get the community's input before completing their plans.

"Of all the developers I've ever worked with, I'd rather work with them," Grissett said. "They're not used car salesmen."

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2005/06/20/daily20.html

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/061705/78360_400.jpg
existing Haydon Burns Library

http://img83.echo.cx/img83/2916/oceansquare10pb.jpg
a rendering of the Atkins Group proposal

By RYAN GEDDES
The Times-Union

The Downtown Committee has picked three of the five proposals for the redevelopment of the Haydon Burns Library site and is sending them to the city's Competitive Sealed Proposal Evaluation Committee for further examination.

--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------

Atkins Group Inc., Peterbrooke Chocolatier and Main Branch LLC received the highest scores, but the committee decided the scores were so close that CSPEC should conduct interviews with company representatives to make a final decision.

Out of a possible 100 points, Atkins Group scored 68.18 points, Peterbrooke Chocolatier scored 62.71 points and Main Branch scored 56.54 points. The other two bidders, Police & Fire Pension Fund and Vestcor Cos., received 20.71 points and 50.17 points, respectively.

The city has scheduled a tentative date of July 8 for the CSPEC interview sessions.

The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission requested bids on the library in March. The 1960s building becomes available when the city opens the new Main Library on Hemming Plaza later this year.

Read more about the next phase of the library bid process in tomorrow's Times-Union.

ryan.geddesjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/061705/bus_business.shtml.

Atkins Group proposal chosen as winner! No chocolate downtown.
Full story at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/070905/met_19200309.shtml :)

It's not that I dislike '60s architecture. Much of it I really like, both from an artistic standpoint, but also from a sentimental standpoint, as well. However, I just don't like the Burns Library at all. I've tried to appreciate it architecturally, but I just can't. I think its an ugly monstrosity. Hopefully the Ocean Square plan will be chosen. It'll improve the appearance of that area so much, in my opinion.

Also, I drove thru Jax the other day and saw that the new condo (either the Strand or the Peninsula, I forget which) going up and was surprised to see it was up to about the 6th or 7th floor already. Can't wait to see other the other proposed highrises for the downtown area going up. I'm very curious to see what the new rendering of the new Aetna condo project will look like. Hope its good, but I'm not getting my hopes up this time.

Aetna condo project

Is that what the Riverside project is? Or is that project dead, and would it still be 750 ft.? BTW, The front page of this thread could really use an update. :) :)

Lots of great stuff though. Surfside condos reminds me of the Meridian in Tampa.

It's not that I dislike '60s architecture. Much of it I really like, both from an artistic standpoint, but also from a sentimental standpoint, as well. However, I just don't like the Burns Library at all. I've tried to appreciate it architecturally, but I just can't. I think its an ugly monstrosity. Hopefully the Ocean Square plan will be chosen. It'll improve the appearance of that area so much, in my opinion.

Well you can kiss the Haydon Burns goodbye. The Ocean Square (Atkins) proposal was chosen and they plan to start, just as soon as the new library opens this November.

Also, I drove thru Jax the other day and saw that the new condo (either the Strand or the Peninsula, I forget which) going up and was surprised to see it was up to about the 6th or 7th floor already. Can't wait to see other the other proposed highrises for the downtown area going up. I'm very curious to see what the new rendering of the new Aetna condo project will look like. Hope its good, but I'm not getting my hopes up this time.

Construction on The Strand (28 stories) is up to the 9th floor, while foundation work is underway next door on The Peninsula (37 stories). San Marco Place (21 stories), across the street, is now up to the 2nd floor.

Is that what the Riverside project is? Or is that project dead, and would it still be 750 ft.? BTW, The front page of this thread could really use an update.

I assume you must be talking about the 48 story Riverpointe twins? This project is still alive and well. However, its being phased and a new developer (Hines out of Texas) and Architect have been bought in. I assume we'll be hearing more about this project in the next couple of months, since construction is planned for early 2006.

Construction on The Strand (28 stories) is up to the 9th floor, while foundation work is underway next door on The Peninsula (37 stories). San Marco Place (21 stories), across the street, is now up to the 2nd floor.



I assume you must be talking about the 48 story Riverpointe twins? This project is still alive and well. However, its being phased and a new developer (Hines out of Texas) and Architect have been bought in. I assume we'll be hearing more about this project in the next couple of months, since construction is planned for early 2006.

Thank you Lakelander, its a shame they have to redesign it. I really liked those buildings. O well. Its also neat that Strand, Peninsula, and San Marco Place are all next to each other. Great density. :)

Riverpointe is being redesigned by Architectonica, a well known firm out of Miami. They may lose the spires, but there's a good chance that they will come out much better.

Its nice coming up I-95 and seeing the 3 cranes of The Strand and San Marco Place front the skyline. It should get better once the 6 tower (35,35,35,30,28 & 9) San Marco Riverwalk development next door to The Peninsula gets underway later this year. The proposed 8 story Kings Avenue Station and the St. Johns Center phase III (strand is I and Peninsula is II) projects will wrap up the urbanization of that section of the Southbank.

Once I get some free time, I'll also go back and revise the project list. There's a lot more to add to it now.

how come the new design hasn't been released

I assume its because they haven't finished designing or presenting it to the city's planning department yet. After all, the original concept was only announced about a year ago. These things take time.

Since they aim to start construction very late 2005, or very early 2006, I would expect we'll see a rendering fairly soon.

Anyway, I'm greatly encouraged by the very recent spasm of activity on the Northbank - Ocean Square chosen, courthouse action plan, Berkman II, et.al.

Now we just need some forward motion on Shipyards, JEA Tower, the Landing, Transportation hub/Convention center and other smaller projects.

From what I hear, the JEA Tower is wrapped up in a lawsuit and the transporation hub is years away from happening. Out of your list, the Landing will most likely be the first project to get underway later this year, if the city wraps up the deal.

As far as the Northbank goes, this year seems to be the year of the smaller mid and low-rise projects. Churchwell Lofts, the new Library, 20 West Lofts, Hudson Books, Ed Ball building and the Jones Furniture building projects should all get underway or be completed in the upcoming months.

That Atkins Group proposal depicted above isn't much of a highrise, and is clearly conservative in style, but I like the way it looks for some reason.

Now that they've won the RFP, hopefully they'll consider increasing the project's scope. I assume that their initial attempt was not to overpower the historic Lynch Building (11 East Forsyth lofts) next door. The design is okay, but personally I'd like to see it get a little more flashy and contemporary, as well as taller. After all, this thing is supposed to have a movie theater in at the base. How about adding something like an electronic screen or something?

Thanx for all the updates Lakelander. Jax is finally getting some major new additions to it's skyline after, what, 15 years? And PRAISE JESUS! That Hayden Burns Library is going to bite the dust, with something that's actually attractive going up in its place! YAY!!!!!!!

From what I hear, the JEA Tower is wrapped up in a lawsuit and the transporation hub is years away from happening. Out of your list, the Landing will most likely be the first project to get underway later this year, if the city wraps up the deal.

As far as the Northbank goes, this year seems to be the year of the smaller mid and low-rise projects. Churchwell Lofts, the new Library, 20 West Lofts, Hudson Books, Ed Ball building and the Jones Furniture building projects should all get underway or be completed in the upcoming months.

How are those smaller projects coming along by the way?? The one I'm most familiar with is Lerner Lofts because I have kin who is thinking of leasing there and I understand that has been underconstruction for awhile. What about The Carlington right across the street, how far along are they? There was an old Barnett Bank building not far from there where they were gonna restore and lease luxury apartments but I haven't heard any commotion about that. And I haven't heard anything from the Bank Trio buildings since everybody was raving about how they were falling apart and something had to happen right then and there but then nothing did :bash: ..

When or if all those projects get done it'll be an awesome addition to that area. All of these projects are smack in the middle of the CBD, and will bring more residential density. Think of it: Lerner Lofts, The Carlington, Barnett Bank, Bank Trio, W.A. Knight ( which is done... Right?) all in two square blocks of the CBD.
:banana2: :pepper: :righton:

How are those smaller projects coming along by the way?? The one I'm most familiar with is Lerner Lofts because I have kin who is thinking of leasing there and I understand that has been underconstruction for awhile. What about The Carlington right across the street, how far along are they? There was an old Barnett Bank building not far from there where they were gonna restore and lease luxury apartments but I haven't heard any commotion about that. And I haven't heard anything from the Bank Trio buildings since everybody was raving about how they were falling apart and something had to happen right then and there but then nothing did :bash: ..

When or if all those projects get done it'll be an awesome addition to that area. All of these projects are smack in the middle of the CBD, and will bring more residential density. Think of it: Lerner Lofts, The Carlington, Barnett Bank, Bank Trio, W.A. Knight ( which is done... Right?) all in two square blocks of the CBD.
:banana2: :pepper: :righton:

Here's an update on the projects planned for that three block stretch of Adams Street.

The Barnett
Developers are still waiting for the city to sit down and discuss financial incentives to help cover the cost of renovating the 80 year old, 19 story tower into 125 lofts with street retail.

The Carling
From what I understand, this 13 story, 99 unit loft project should be completed in the next week or so, if it isn't already.

Laura Trio
The Fund has hired KBJ architects to do the design work on the two historic office buildings and the 2 story bank building on the corner of Laura and Forsyth. In the meantime, the Fund has pumped the years old lake of standing water out of the basements and patched the holes in the roofs. Hoefully we'll see some construction get underway by the end of the year.

Furchgott's Building
Currently being renovated into a book store on the first level with book storage for their online book company on the upper 4 floors.

20 West
Apparently the developer ran into financing problems, but has everything worked out now, so the conversion of the 7 story building into lofts should be getting underway soon.

Ed Ball Building
The city has purchased the massive 10 or 11 story building and will moving its offices from the City Hall Annex, on Bay Street to the building and the old 7 story Haverty's building on Laura Street later this year and early next year.

Main Library
Actually a block of Adams, but its almost complete. It should open by October or November.

County Courthouse
Mayor Peyton is supposed to announce his new plans for the courthouse in the next couple of days. There are some massive projects waiting in the wings, if we can get the courthouse off of the ground.

10 story Jax Telecom Building to be converted into apartments

116 unit - "The Metropolitan" already has started construction

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2005/08/01/daily30.html

Shipper's terminal project could bring city 5,000 jobs


Dames Point facility could make city 1 of top 10 container ports in nation


By TIMOTHY J. GIBBONS and CHRISTOPHER CALNAN, The Times-Union


Japan-based shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd. will build a $200 million terminal at Dames Point, the Jacksonville Port Authority and the shipper announced Monday, an undertaking that could bring upward of 5,000 jobs, double the port's capacity and eventually make Jacksonville one of the top 10 container ports in the country.


Ground should be broken next July for the first phase of the terminal, which will include two 1,200-foot berths and six cranes that can handle the largest cargo ships in operation. The company will begin with 158 acres at Dames Point, and can eventually expand to more than 200 acres of port authority land, including the cruise terminal, should it ever be vacated. Carnival Cruise Lines has an agreement to lease the berth at the cruise terminal until October, and is currently negotiating a new agreement.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/071905/met_19275754.shtml

^^terrific news!

Great news for Jax.

The four southeast ports have really made great strides in the last ten years.

3 more 30 stories towers proposed along riverfront

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/090205/89159_400.jpg

News of new development seems to have died down over the last couple of months, but this is big news. :)

Quote from article by Alison Trinidad
Riverfront Development Group LLC of St. Augustine pitched a conceptual plan to the downtown Development Review Committee Wednesday to turn about 22 acres of grimy, industrial property into a posh marina district of restaurants, stores, offices and condos.

Construction of the project -- tentatively called St. Johns Point -- is estimated to cost $234 million.

According to the proposal, the neighborhood would include three 30-story towers with 810 condominium units; 107,000 square feet of offices; and 107,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants spread out in a riverfront plaza. Plans also include a 150-slip marina and a parking garage.

Project 'a good catalyst' for area (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090205/bus_19660385.shtml)

I can't wait to see more info on this one!

Where, exactly will these condos be? I hope they keep the color scheme shown in the rendering and don't make them white or beige.

across the street from Alltel Stadium. The lot is on Bay Street and bounded by Metropolitan Park (west), St. Johns River (south) and the Hart Bridge Expressway (north & east).

Urban updates: Big projects starting to get underway! :cheers:

13 story office tower ready to break ground
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022505/62568_400.jpg
Site clearing for Riverside Avenue Partners building and parking garage, 495 Riverside Ave. between Rosselle and Forest streets, 1.96 acres, $85,000; agent is Fred Parvey, Fidelity National Financial; owner is Riverside Avenue Partners LLC; engineer is England-Thims & Miller Inc.

Developer purchases property for lofts
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/040705/68051_400.jpg
The Lofts on Main LLC purchased property at 1303 Main St. from Dennis Simpson for $640,000.

Massive Shipyards project ready to open sales center
Renovations at Shipyards for additional management offices in previously permitted double-wide trailer, 950 E. Bay St. between Catherine and North Georgia Street, 2,092 square feet, $73,875; contractor is Worsham Construction Co.; agent is Bob Furlong, project manager; owner is Landmar Group/North Bank Development Co.; architect is Lane Architecture.

Metropolitan Condos, construction underway
Demolition at Jax Telcom Center of interior partitions on third, sixth and seventh floors, 421 W. Church St. between Clay and Pearl streets, 50,000 square feet, $55,000; contractor is River City Contractors Inc.; agent is Hal Horton, managing partner; owner is Jax Partners LLC.

3 more 30 stories towers proposed along riverfront

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/090205/89159_400.jpg

News of new development seems to have died down over the last couple of months, but this is big news. :)



Project 'a good catalyst' for area (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/090205/bus_19660385.shtml)

Wow, Jacksonville is doing really well for itself. :)

Thank God almighty, it's a miracle!

I finally got off my sorry ass and updated this thread's initial post with a great updated master list compiled by Lakelander. It is current as of August. Sorry for the massive delay, but I had ALOT of things going on for a good while there that kept me from doing much of anything to the boards, and the PM's he sent me got lost in the massive pile of PMs I get... But I'm back now.

when is arquitectonica or hines going to get off there ass and release the renderings

Who knows? As I found out this summer (and even now), it takes time to push a project through the various city planning, zoning & permitting departments. It also takes time to develop architectural plans, when various city officials want edits made. Since it was announced that Arquitectonica would take over for KBJ and a new tower would be designed, I wouldn't expect to see any renderings until late this year or early next.

yea i'm just so used to us somehow finding renderings months in advance of the project getting approved or released...and arquitectonica used to update there site regularly but not anymore.

^There is an SSPer who is interning with them, if I recall... I will try to see who it is, and if he really did so, and still is.

well jason while your at it ask him about the herald development and also the omni redevelopment

I'm just going to try and find him and get his ass over here to help out, if possible. :)

St. Johns Pointe project, now to include 4 towers (36,33,30 & 15 stories)

Last month, the DRC asked the developers of St. Johns Point to go back to the drawing board. Now they have return with a larger project that will include 4 towers (36,33,30 & 15 stories), 840 residential units, 115,000sf of office space, 107,000sf of retail space and a 150 slip marina. Controlling interests have also been taken over by a national developer, out of metro Detroit, called Crosswinds Communities, who have already purchased the land from Alexander Trust for more than $40 million. The project's engineers predict that construction will begin in summer 2007 and be complete by summer 2009.

Btw, the article mentions that committee members also conditionally approved plans for the 118 unit Metropolitan Apartment Homes and conceptually approved plans for Lee and Cates Corporate Headquarters, both of which, will include office and retail space.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._19909892.shtml

210ft condo tower proposed for suburban Julington Creek

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/093005/93859_400.jpg

A 104 unit, 14 story condo tower and marina has been proposed for a site off of San Jose Blvd at Julington Creek. Of course, local residents aren't happy about this.

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.ph...=new_post&f=123

St. Johns Pointe project, now to include 4 towers (36,33,30 & 15 stories)

Last month, the DRC asked the developers of St. Johns Point to go back to the drawing board. Now they have return with a larger project that will include 4 towers (36,33,30 & 15 stories), 840 residential units, 115,000sf of office space, 107,000sf of retail space and a 150 slip marina. Controlling interests have also been taken over by a national developer, out of metro Detroit, called Crosswinds Communities, who have already purchased the land from Alexander Trust for more than $40 million. The project's engineers predict that construction will begin in summer 2007 and be complete by summer 2009.

Btw, the article mentions that committee members also conditionally approved plans for the 118 unit Metropolitan Apartment Homes and conceptually approved plans for Lee and Cates Corporate Headquarters, both of which, will include office and retail space.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._19909892.shtml

Mixrd feelings - glad to see the project emlarged and on solid footing.

Bummer about the what, 18 month delay now ?

The project was first announced only a month ago. Since then, they've completely revised the entire project. I would assume they still have to draw up the architectural/engineering plans, apply for rezoning, get design DDA approval and city permitting, in addition to pre-selling at least half of the 840 residential units for financing. Since this year is almost over, summer 2007 to start construction on a project this massive sounds about right.

The project was first announced only a month ago. Since then, they've completely revised the entire project. I would assume they still have to draw up the architectural/engineering plans, apply for rezoning, get design DDA approval and city permitting, in addition to pre-selling at least half of the 840 residential units for financing. Since this year is almost over, summer 2007 to start construction on a project this massive sounds about right.

You know, I was confusing this project with the (San Marco Riverwalk ?) project on the Southbank, also a multi-tower project slated to begin much sooner. :)

Aren't there 3 major multi-tower projects percolating on the southbank? (I think one is u/c, without looking at the list)... That's great, though it will be a little bit odd if the southbank skyline rivals or even surpasses the DT proper skyline.

The Penninsula and The Strand (37 & 26st) u/c

San Marco Place (21st) u/c

Riverpointe (40st ?) announced...should hear something on this very soon

And i think San Marco Riverwalk has five towers ranging to 35st.

There are 4 multi-tower projects under construction or proposed for the Southbank

1. St. Johns Center (3 towers at 38,28 & 13 stories)
2. Riverpointe (2 towers at 40 stories each)
3. San Marco Riverwalk (1,500 units/6 towers at 35,35,35,30,28 & 9 stories)
4. Southside Generation Station (1,000 units/ no. of towers currently unknown)

Southbank projects currently under construction: (3 towers)

1.St. Johns Center:
a. The Peninsula - 38 stories
b. The Strand - 28 stories

2. San Marco Place - 21 stories

Breaking ground in spring/summer 2006

1. Riverpointe 1: 40 stories (renderings still haven't been released)
2. San Marco Riverwalk: 35 stories (first of 6 towers: 35,35,35,30,28,9 stories)
3. Kings Avenue Station: 8 stories (first downtown skyway TOD, by Jax transporation authority)

Pension Fund buys Center Theater lot for parking gargage
by J. Brooks Terry

Staff Writer

The Police and Fire Pension Fund is quickly becoming a major stakeholder in the downtown real estate market. The Fund, which already owns its headquarters on Adams Street as well as the land underneath three of the area’s oldest buildings, paid $1 million last month for the empty lot that for 87 years lay under the Center Theatre.

Fund administrator John Keane said plans are in the works to construct a parking garage there that would complement work to refurbish the currently dilapidated Bisbee, Marble Bank and Florida Life buildings.

Whether or not the proposed 700-space garage would have a first floor retail component remains unknown, he said.

Earlier this month Ron Barton, executive director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, said it might be time to reconsider making developers include retail options.

“We’ll wait to see what comes of that before we decide what we’ll do on the first floor,” Keane said. “But either way our plans for that site fit perfectly with our goals to bring those buildings back to life. If we could accomplish both at the same time, that would be nice.”

The buildings, also commonly referred to as the Laura Trio, were turned over to the Police and Fire Pension Fund by the City last year. Keane said about $150,000 has so far been spent on project architectural firm KBJ and also to make the buildings water-tight.

Realco Recycling, which has an $800,000 contract with the Fund, will be responsible for removing all hazardous materials including asbestos, lead paint and toxic mold in each of the buildings. The company is also being tasked with removing old furniture, fixtures and rotted plaster.

Fund assistant administrator Richard Cohee said in August that Realco should be finished within 120 days.

“By the end of this year or the beginning of next year we expect all three should be ready for rebuild,” he said,

That deadline could coincide with a previously agreed upon deadline with the City. Last year, the City Council stipulated that at the end of the year the Fund must present a clearly defined redevelopment plan. That plan would include a work schedule, a proposed future use and a financing option.

Cohee and Keane said that the cost of bringing the buildings up to code would be upwards of $19 million.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=43797

Ex-Barnett Bank building sold for $4.95 million
Orlando developer plans to buy up to 9 Northbank buildings

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/ussmanatee/DSCN3522.jpg
Barnett Bank is the large old tower in background


Orlando developer Cameron Kuhn bought the former 18 story Barnett Bank building, 112 W. Adams St., Friday from 112 West Adams LP for $4.95 million, according to a news release.

The purchase is part of a larger downtown development plan that Kuhn is expected to present to city planners later this month.

Kuhn, who bought the SunTrust Tower at 76 S. Laura St. in late September for $37.5 million, said he plans to renovate the historic 18-story office building into a mix of residential and business uses. The building has been vacant for almost two years, he said. Details about the project are unclear, but Kuhn said the renovation will need financial help from the city.

In 2003, LB Jax Development LLC proposed to convert the building into hotel rooms, loft apartments, a bank branch office and a five-star restaurant. That project, then estimated to cost $25 million, has fallen through. Representatives from LB Jax could not be reached Friday evening for comment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kuhn buys 23 story tower & adjacent vacant lot

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/092705/93373_300.jpg

quote from an Orlando Sentinel Article
Developer Cameron Kuhn, whose downtown Orlando projects include the giant Premiere Trade Plaza, has bought the 23-story SunTrust Tower in downtown Jacksonville for $37 million as part of an expansion move.

"This is the first one,'' Kuhn said Tuesday. "I have several others under contract."

The developer said he may buy as many as nine buildings in downtown Jacksonville for office and residential condos and retail development.

He has renamed the property River Watch at City Centre. Capital Partners Inc., an Orlando-based investment company, sold the tower.

Kuhn said downtown Jacksonville, like Orlando, is undergoing great change. "We want to be part of that," he said.

Vacant E.H. Thompson Building to renovated into lofts

The long vacant E.H. Thompson Building, on the corner of Main & Orange Streets, will be renovated into a 25 unit loft project with street retail. The lofts will range from 850-1100sf and be priced at $300-$400k. The building's 60's era stucco facade will be taken down to restored to its original 1912 brick facade.

http://urbanjacksonville.blogspot.com/

original facade
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc17942.jpg

This is all very exciting news! The old Barnett building is too pretty and historic to just sit empty. It's very smart of Kuhn to be buying up all of this property downtown while its still cheap. Hopefully he has big plans and is successful with whatever he does with the property, and maintains the historical integrity of the older buildings he purchases.

well now that I've lost my moderator status over at UP, I guess I can feed information to this thread on a more regular basis. :)

Condos, retail part of Avondale plan
17 story tower/216 residential units proposed

This must be the project that was mentioned as a rumor on here a couple of weeks ago. Michael Balanky and a New York developer are teaming together for a project called St. Johns Village Center. Estimated to cost $200 million the project will involve tearing down an existing 17 story tower and strip shopping center and replacing it with a new 17 story tower, 20,000sf of retail with lofts above, boat slips on Fishweir Creek and total of 216 condos. Construction is at least a year away.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._20094517.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/102205/bus_20094517.shtml)

Don't worry Lake, you've replaced mod status with admin status....just not at UP :okay:


So much news to cach up on, I'm not even sure where to begin.


Biggest issues are the Courthouse fiasco is finally being dealth with. Peyton is scrapping everything and starting over.
http://e-mpire.com/urban/index.php?showtopic=76


Main Library Grand Opening
http://e-mpire.com/urban/index.php?showtopic=56


Landing Redevelopment
http://e-mpire.com/urban/index.php?showtopic=21


St. Johns Village Center, old Commander Apartments site redevelopment
http://e-mpire.com/urban/index.php?showtopic=60

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022505/62568_400.jpg

By ALISON TRINIDAD
The Times-Union

Construction of the13-story Riverside Avenue Partners office building has begun at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Forest Street.

Cost of construction is estimated at $28 million, according to a city building permit paid for on Nov. 1.

The project, which received approval from the city's downtown Design Review Committee in February, will total 518,474 square feet. Plans show 227,000 square feet of office and retail space, and about 600 parking spaces.

Offices will be on the top eight floors of the building, with storefronts on the ground floor. Parking is spread across five levels below the offices and in another five-story garage attached to the building.

The roughly 2 acre site is just north of the 18-acre Fidelity National Financial campus, where construction of a new eight-story office building also is under way. Fred Parvey, who handles corporate real estate and construction for Fidelity, said the company hopes to begin moving its employees into that second office building by May 2006.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._20275828.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111205/bus_20275828.shtml)

The new library freakin rocks!!!

I was there on the Grand Opening Day and for all the guided tour and all that stuff and its awesome. It has a New York sophistication or Chicago fancy type of ambience to it. Everyone I talked to could'nt help but say the same thing; "It's so not Jacksonville". It was more of a testament to the progress Jacksonville has made than an insult (most of these people were Jacksonvillians dating back to the days of toll booths and "the smell"), trust me; you'll probably say the same thing.

And with JMOMA right next to it, and City Hall and Federal Courthouse already there and the potential City Hall annex moving there, Jacksonville is really taking advantage of a real hub..

On another note, those Lerner lofts are really taking a long time, they must be working on something really special there. Is there any retail gonna be at the Lerner Lofts? We first heard something about The Loop Pizza and Grill opening one there but that was so long ago... It's good to see Carlington is up and running, it looks great. I saw the retail spaces in the front had coming soon signs with the specific businesses on there, that's great to see their rushing to get retail in there. One dissapointment is the parking lot. It was suppossed to have retail bays in the front according to the new City Council regulations, the city was totally gypped on that one. What a waste of prime property. And its right next to another huge ugly parking lot!!

On another note, those Lerner lofts are really taking a long time, they must be working on something really special there. Is there any retail gonna be at the Lerner Lofts? We first heard something about The Loop Pizza and Grill opening one there but that was so long ago...

As far as I know, The Loop is still supposed to take the entire bottom floor. However, it seems like the developer maybe having financing problems. I wouldn't be suprised if this is one of the 9 or so buildings that developer Cameron Kuhn is supposed to be taking over.

It's good to see Carlington is up and running, it looks great. I saw the retail spaces in the front had coming soon signs with the specific businesses on there, that's great to see their rushing to get retail in there. One dissapointment is the parking lot. It was suppossed to have retail bays in the front according to the new City Council regulations, the city was totally gypped on that one. What a waste of prime property. And its right next to another huge ugly parking lot!!

The Carling's parking garage is designed for street level retail, but they've been allowed to use it for parking until the market grows to accomodate street retail on a secondary street, such as Monroe St.

There is a fire at the old Barnett Bank building, the one Cameron Kuhn of Orlando fame recently purchased. I wonder how bad it will affect his redevelopment efforts and timeline.. or maybe if it will help it?? :naughty:

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/112805/104377_300.jpg

Evidently, construction, or the interior demolition phase, has already begun. There's a good chance this fire had something to do with it. Hopefully it didn't harm the building's structure.

Old Barnett building catches fire; renovation plans still on track

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/072501/met_historicbuildi_960.jpg
The Barnett Tower

A historic Downtown building recently bought by an Orlando developer caught fire Monday morning, but the renovation of the old Barnett Bank building should remain on schedule.

About 60 Jacksonville firefighters responded to the fire at 118 W. Adams St.

The building was bought in October for $4.95 million by Kuhn Development, an Orlando development company led by CEO Cameron Kuhn. The 18-story building was built in the 1920s.

Kuhn plans to spend about $16 million to renovate the property and convert it into lofts and first-floor office condominiums.

Workers began renovating the building earlier this month and still plan to complete the project in 14 months.

In an email message, Kuhn said the fire probably caused almost no damage.

"Being that we are gutting the entire building it will have zero impact," Kuhn said.

The two-alarm fire started on the 14th floor of the building as workers were removing asbestos from the building as part of its renovation, according to The Business Journal's news partner, Fox 30 News.

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jackso.../28/daily5.html (http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2005/11/28/daily5.html)

That's good to hear.

Well, it's been a busy week for downtown.. Here's more news.

- A new club is opening at the Landing. The club, called Deep Blue, will open next month in the space above what used to be The South End Brewery. It is described as "walking into a lava lamp"

- Atkins terminated their plans for the old Haydon Burns library. The city is ready to begin negotations with Peterbrooke Chocalitier, whose bid won second place back in May. From soundbites and quotes, it sounds like Peterbrooke will have to assess where they stand production wise because it appears they have streamlined their manufacturing to replace the need for a large manufacturing center.

I'll try to post both articles later on if I can, its just that I don't have a subscription to the Florida Times-Union site.. Another note: the ACC Championship is this weekend at Alltell Stadium so downtown looks to be packed. It'll be interesting to see if the whole thing goes smooth because Jax has the ACC championship for two years and an option to extend it longer. I'm hoping to make it up there for the Gator Bowl if Miami gets invited. Should be fun. :cheers:

It's good the Landing is getting a club. When the Landing was first built, it tried to be retail, but it seems now that the best use for it is as an entertainment center.

It's good the Landing is getting a club. When the Landing was first built, it tried to be retail, but it seems now that the best use for it is as an entertainment center.
I love the landing.Hooters and the just whole thing is great.

Deep Blue will be the third club (Twisted Martini & ImprovJax are the other two) to open at the Landing, since the Super Bowl. With the new restuarants and clubs coming in, the Landing is definately well on its way to becoming an entertainment center (similar to Channelside), then a traditional retail marketplace, which is a good thing imo. Due to its size, and limited parking, its not going to be able to go head-to-head with larger suburban malls for the same chain stores. However, it can stand out as a place of its own, by adding enhancing the dining and nightlife sector in downtown.

Laura Trio now a duo
by Bradley Parsons

Staff Writer

For the moment, the Laura Street Trio has been reduced to a duo.

The City has marketed the dilapidated historic buildings on the corner of Forsyth and Laura streets — the Marble Bank, Florida Life and Bisbee buildings — as a package redevelopment deal. But the current developer, the Police and Fire Pension Fund, now plans to focus its efforts on the Marble Bank and Bisbee buildings, leaving the Florida Life Building for later.

Fund administrator John Keane said splitting the projects up is necessary because the Florida Life Building’s condition is the worst of the three. Setting that building aside will speed the redevelopment of the Marble Bank and Bisbee buildings. If the Fund’s redevelopment plans are approved by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the City Council, Keane predicts those buildings could be on the market as mixed-use residences by the end of 2006.

But if the Florida Life Building will be left out of the redevelopment act, Keane said the Fund wants the building to at least look the part.

The building is safe and secure, said Keane. Its exterior will be cleaned up and outfitted with windows so it will blend in with its renovated neighbors.

“We’re going to put windows in and make it look visually like an occupied building as opposed to a skeleton, which is what it looks like now,” said Keane.

The Trio originally was slated for renovation into office condominiums by Signet Development. Those plans lagged, however, and the City shifted its focus downtown from office to residential development. The Fund then acquired the buildings in 2004 in exchange for a $3 million credit on the City’s annual Pension Fund contribution.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=44121

St. Johns Phase III now the Vu

40 stories and 190 units.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/viperempire/VU1.jpg


http://metro.e-mpire.com/index.php?showtopic=168

Another tower proposed. This one will be 19 stories and sit, just south of I-95 in Riverside/Five Points.

The Residences of Bishopgate
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/viperempire/bishopgate.jpg

Height: 19 stories
Estimated Costs: $70 million
Presales: begin second quarter 2006
Groundbreaking: Fall 2006

http://metro.e-mpire.com/index.php?showtopic=181

they need to demolish the landing and start over from scratch, great location, great view.....but the actual structure inside and out is ugly, dilapidated, and isn't open enough to actually take advantage of its natural and man-made surroundings. Just there for business for a week, and everyone seemed to enjoy the view from the omni and the weather(most of these people were from the NE, it was still cold for me;..and overcast) but one thing we all noticed is that downtown jax is severely lacking any type of amenities that most of us were expecting, including a limited selection of restaurants, no pharmacies in downtown(landing one closed), no grocery store, and no real entertainment other than hotel bars and a few here and there.....

the lobster tank/former grabbing game machine to the right after entering near starbucks is just plain tacky.

It seems like the city is totally primed for a large entertainment complex like channelside or baywalk....

^Yes downtown Jax is very similar to downtown Tampa. Two spots with loads of potential and projects in the works and underway, but still not there yet. As for downtown Northbank, most of the bars/restaurants are along the Adams Street/Hemming Plaza corridor, which is about 4 blocks north off the Landing, and there's already a Winn-Dixie at the corner of Union & Liberty Streets. There are plans for an 8 story retail/office building (Kings Avenue Station) on the Southbank that has been rumored to include a Whole Foods. Depending on the Haydon Burns RFP, there could also be a smaller urban oriented specialty market in the heart of the Northbank, in a year or two.

As for the Landing, it will be torn down (the center portion) and then expanded from the current 140,000sf complex to 1.2 million sf of retail, condo space and a hotel. The developer has already begin relocating and vacanting certain spots inside the center, in anticipation for the reconstruction. A deal was just worked out between the Landing's new owner and the city, so construction should start later in 2006. When complete, the central courtyard will open up to Laura Street, instead of the enclosed mall area that sits there today. The construction of RiverWatch, a 33 story hotel/retail/condo tower (on the vacant lot across the street from the Landing) will also begin in 2006.

So things are definately in the works, but you'll have to wait a year or two, for the construction to be completed.

A model of the expanded Landing complex
http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com/vision/images/image13.jpg
http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com/vision/v1.php

Lake -

Care to guess at the 'even bigger plans' that Kuhn has in mind for DT Jax ?

Can't remember where I read it.

He also paid $4.95 million for the former Barnett Bank building at 112 W. Adams St., which he wants to convert into office space and apartments. He said Tuesday that he also has contracts for the Life of the South and the Dyal-Upchurch buildings. He has his eyes on more and hints at a large one, nodding over his shoulder at the landscape of towers behind him.

This was from an interview with Kuhn earlier this week. He's already stated that he was going to buy up to 9 or 10 buildings and property, all within a 5 minute walk of each other. To date, he's purchased the Suntrust Tower (now office condos), The Barnett Tower (u/c live/work lofts), vacant lot (planned 33 story hotel), Life of South and Dyal Upchurch Buildings. That makes 5 purchases, with about 5 more to go. I assume that he's intending to purchase another nearby large tower or a surface parking lot, with plans for another mixed use highrise.

100 condos, with starting prices as low as $135k planned

By JOE LIGHT
The Times-Union

Mike Langton wants to breathe new life into a rundown downtown motel. He and his company, LB Jax Development LLC, plan to renovate the old Park View Inn and turn it into 100 condominiums.

But unlike most of the residential projects downtown, Langton's building promises to fill a void in the downtown market -- workforce housing. If the developer has his way, the condos will go for between $135,000 and $165,000.

Langton's plans fit what the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton says will be a focus by the JEDC in the new year: Although the commission has incentivized developers to create downtown housing -- any downtown housing -- in the past, now, the commission says it plans to target non-luxury housing projects.

Workforce housing targets low-to middle-income households that can't afford to live in the luxury condominiums that typically dominate downtowns. Although the lack of such housing has hit many metropolitan areas in the wake of rocketing real estate prices, the problem is especially acute in Jacksonville. Until recently, Jacksonville residents struggled to find any housing downtown, let alone affordable housing, said Amy Harrell, director of business development for Downtown Vision Inc.

There are currently no workforce housing projects underway downtown, she said.

"The land is so expensive that the only way a developer would normally make money is with luxury housing," she said. "It's cost prohibitive to build affordable housing."

Harrell said that city officials are already looking at ways to incentivize workforce housing in Brooklyn, but that no construction has started.

The Park View Inn would fill that void. It has long been a dangerous eyesore at the corner of Ocean and State Streets, vacant for five years. The abandoned building has suffered several fires and is frequently occupied by the homeless. Langton hopes that a full renovation and the creation of a health club, restaurant, and parking garage will turn that image around.

"I hope it's going to be a fun project," said Langton, who also redeveloped the W.A. Knight building into apartment lofts. "It's a prime opportunity to bridge Springfield and downtown."

The renovated Park View would have 650 square foot and 950 square foot units. Langton estimates that the total project cost will be between $17 and $18 million. Converting the 1960s structure itself will cost about $10.5 million, he said.

For his project, Langton said that his main challenge will be to resolve environmental issues with the city. He said that pollution from Confederate Park is flowing onto his site and corrupting environmental readings.

Although he is excited about the project, without a city subsidy of about $40,000 per unit, Langton would not make a profit, he said.

"If the city wants to help me out on this, I'm willing and ready to do it," he said. "If they don't embrace it, I'm going to have to walk away from the deal."

If he receives that money, Langton said he could complete the conversion in 18 months.

So far, Langton said that he has been unable to find an incentive program that would back his plans, but that could change early next year in the City Council.

Councilwoman Suzanne Jenkins said that she plans to try to work with the Jacksonville Housing Commission to create workforce housing at the beginning of next year.

"It's been a lament for a while," she said. "We really need out-of-college, entry level housing."

Barton said that the JEDC's first challenge was to convince developers that any type of housing -- luxury, workforce, or otherwise -- was marketable downtown. As a result, city officials have approved nearly $60 million in incentives, not including those for the Jacksonville Shipyards project, according to a study completed last year.

At a JEDC meeting earlier this month, however, Barton said that the JEDC should now focus on less expensive downtown housing.

"Consumers are not scared of the urban environment," he said later. "We need to be in a flatout sprint on this issue."

joe.lightjacksonville.com, (904) 359-4689

This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._20608481.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/122005/bus_20608481.shtml).

More Growth Expected for Downtown

By Melissa Ross
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- With City Council poised to vote on a new bid for the downtown courthouse project, and new movement on the Shipyards condos, those invested in downtown's success say momentum is swinging their way.

"I think it's phenomenal the developments that are occuring in downtown Jacksonville today," says Terry Lorince, executive director of Downtown Vision, Inc.

She points out the three new towers going up on the Southbank, along with planned high-rises on the north side of the river as well.

"In the next few months, we'll probably have two or three more towers announced, so we're talking about a lot of residents coming to live downtown."

The prediction? Five thousand downtowners within the next five years.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=50428

Tantalizing - 'two or three more towers announced'. :)

San Marco Riverwalk Revised - 48 story tower and 2,000 units included

The developer of the San Marco Riverwalk Village submitted a revised plan to the Design Review Committee adding 500 units to the project. According to Jose Lobo, one of the project's architects, the highest tower in the newly designed village would be 48 stories and 565 feet tall -- eight stories higher than the original plan.

In total, the project contains five towers of varying heights with 2,000 residential units and 177,800 square feet of retail space.

The developer will ask for conceptual approval of the revised project at the Design Review Committee meeting today.

Joe Light/The Times-Union

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._20914492.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/012606/bus_20914492.shtml)

San Marco Riverwalk Revised - 48 story tower and 2,000 units included



http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._20914492.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/012606/bus_20914492.shtml)

565' ? :eek2:

Isn't this one to break ground sometime his year ?

yes. its already about a year overdue.

Well, I suppose I'm inclined to regard the significant height increase as good news.

Yes its great news. Here's another update:

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/100104/43453_400.jpg
old image

According to the journalist who wrote the article all of the towers have been raised in height. The 5 towers will now be 40, 42 and (3) 48 story highrises. I'm still tring to get verification on if the 9 story hotel is still in play.

This will be a really nice addition. When are they expected to break ground?

Now is this directly east of The Strand and The Penninsula ?

Hard to say since they are already well past due. With this revision and approval happeneing, a date should be known soon.

Yes, it's east of the Strand and Peninsula.


Granted I'm glad they waited as it was ranging from 28 to 35 stories in floor count, to the current design of ranging from 40 to 48 stories (12-13 floors more per tower).

UPDATE:

Projects get Design Review Committee OK


The Design Review Committee provided conceptual or final approval to several major downtown residential projects at its monthly meeting on Thursday.

Both The Vu, a 40-story residential condominium tower with 190 units, and The St. John Condominium, a 51-story, 300-unit tower, received final approval from the committee.


http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/012706/bus_20926997.shtml

These two big projects just took another step from concept to reality.

This image should help you gather an understanding of the orientation and placement of the towers and development plots. Not exactly perfect but close enough.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/viperempire/southbankprojects.jpg

Viper -

Thanks ! Couldn't have asked for better !

Thanks Viper! I was wondering how the Vu was gonna squeeze in there but now I see.. Looks like there be great density there..

Any news on Berkman Plaza II?

Berkman II is in the marketing phase. They conducted a soil test a couple of weeks ago and submitted a revised parking garage layout to the city. I'd expect that they're somewhere in the permitting stage and will break ground later this year.

Thanks Viper! I was wondering how the Vu was gonna squeeze in there but now I see.. Looks like there be great density there..

That's the location of he building but it's exact orientation is something I'm unsure of. I placed it at that angle simply because it fits well that way though it could theoretically fit in that location facign any angle with just barely enough room.

"For instance, Related is going through the zoning processes now on an approximately 4-million-sq.-ft., mixed-use development in Atlanta's Buckhead area and is looking at a development site in downtown Jacksonville for a mixed-use project with luxury high-rise condos.
"We think Atlanta has a tremendous future growth potential, so it was a place we felt we wanted to be in a large way - not just doing a building, but sort of re-creating what we've done here in South Florida," he said. "That's what our attempt is - to establish a Related Company of Georgia or Atlanta."
We are looking very seriously at a very large development site in downtown Jacksonville on the water - again, a large mixed-use project: high-end, urban condominiums.

http://southeast.construction.com/f.../0602_Cover.asp

Thanks for the info. I'll have to start watching that site myself.

I wonder if any of these are part of the 2-3 towers supposed to be announced this month?

Very interesting info MadHatter - especially the fact that they specified it's on the water. There are so few downtown riverfront sites left, I wonder what it could possibly be. Perhaps they are partnering with the developer of an existing proposed mega-project - The Shipyards or JEA site? Beyond that, there are so few available "large" properties.

- The industrial yards north of the Hart Bridge
- The school board site
- A couple parking lots off Riverside Ave.

Honestly, there's nothing else riverfront that isn't accounted for.

Given the fact there really isn't much riverfront land left, I'd assume they are going to partner or take over the Shipyards, JEA site, San Marco Riverwalk or St. Johns Pointe projects.

Jville is on the cusp of something spectacular. Not to be a prude, but for city with about 700,000 and growing denser every month.....a 20 year planned busway is just PLAIN LAME. Buses are great, but they should spend some dough and go underground or build some light rail or something....not just some bus corridors. I understand its not the richest city in America, but developing 27 train stations would be better in the long run.

Jville is on the cusp of something spectacular. Not to be a prude, but for city with about 700,000 and growing denser every month.....a 20 year planned busway is just PLAIN LAME. Buses are great, but they should spend some dough and go underground or build some light rail or something....not just some bus corridors. I understand its not the richest city in America, but developing 27 train stations would be better in the long run.

The problem is there are some people who just aren't going to skate past that 'should spend some dough' part. ;)

Jville is on the cusp of something spectacular. Not to be a prude, but for city with about 700,000 and growing denser every month.....a 20 year planned busway is just PLAIN LAME. Buses are great, but they should spend some dough and go underground or build some light rail or something....not just some bus corridors. I understand its not the richest city in America, but developing 27 train stations would be better in the long run.
A group of us are trying to put together a package to present to JTA (Jacksonville Trnsportation Authority) on the benefits of cummuter rail. We have plenty of tracks and CSX is headquartered right there in downtown. Hopefully we can make enough of an impact on them to consider it as a viable alternative over BRT.

We may get commuter rail, in addition to the busway, which could be very effective in the long run. Congressman Mica, the man behind Orlando's commuter rail has already begun to push for one connecting Jax to St. Augustine.

Mica says rail link to Jacksonville possible
Demonstration of new luxury railcar planned

By PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustinerecord.com

Visualize yourself jumping onto an air-conditioned, first-class railroad car in St. Augustine, riding to Jacksonville to work, shop, go clubbing or attend a concert.

Then hop the train home that evening, reading or snoozing all the way if you wish.

In an interview Friday at The St. Augustine Record, U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, said a demonstration of the Ultra Dome luxury railcar is planned between the two cities in the next few months.

"This is one of the most cost-effective technologies to move people in regional transit," Mica said.

Colorado Railcar Co., of Evergreen, Colo., said Friday that it had already shipped the car that will be used in the demonstration.

Mica said light rail systems cost $40 million to $60 million per mile. If they are elevated, as they are in Jacksonville, they can cost $100 million per mile. But the proposed system uses existing track and needs only a few parking lots and temporary stations to begin operations. The cost: $3 million to $8 million per mile.

"It's very inexpensive to start up, and very popular," Mica said.

The double-decker Ultra Domes feature four air conditioners per car, domed roofs and viewing windows 6-feet wide and 6-feet tall. They can carry just under 200 passengers and are self-propelled, so no locomotive is needed to push or pull it.

Developed by Tom Rader, founder of Colorado Railcar, the Ultra Dome is advertised as a rival to the luxurious Orient Express. Rader did not return phone calls requesting comment about the company or the demonstration.

But Mica said that about 3,000 of these cars are already being used in Europe and Canada.

"Our commuter rush (to and from Jacksonville) is in the morning and afternoon. There's got to be a better solution than just widening roads. The first is looking at commuter rail," he said.

One of these railcars carries the same number of people as four buses, and buses get stuck in traffic on I-95 just like automobiles, he said.

"We can run as many (railcars) as we want during rush hour," he said.

He said economics is another reason this innovation is important. For every dollar Florida drivers spend on gasoline, 18.4 cents goes to the federal highway trust fund.

"About 80 percent of that money is spent on roads, 20 percent on mass transit," he said. "So as long as we have no mass transit system here, that 20 percent goes to other communities. We get no mass transit allocation".

JTA has also stated that its studying running commuter rail between Amelia Island and St. Augustine. A line of this nature would be far cheaper than light rail and probably more effective, given the city's overall density.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=250765

hopefully this will get the high speed rail in the books again. If they see how this will benefit Jacksonville with easy transportation and less congested highways, the state might realize that a state-wide high speed rail is neccesary for Florida. Just my opinion

I am a proponent for the commuter rail, but not for the high speed rail. The statewide rail is a HUGE commintment on tax payers, and is it really going to pay off? I wouldn't ride it and don't need it so why would I want to help pay for it? Besides, Jax is one of the last stops for the train route, and so we would be getting shorted out.

I am a proponent for the commuter rail, but not for the high speed rail. The statewide rail is a HUGE commintment on tax payers, and is it really going to pay off? I wouldn't ride it and don't need it so why would I want to help pay for it? Besides, Jax is one of the last stops for the train route, and so we would be getting shorted out.
But you don't repezent the other Floridians, do you :)

This gives me an idea for a new thread. "Will you ride the High Speed Rail".

I am a proponent for the commuter rail, but not for the high speed rail. The statewide rail is a HUGE commintment on tax payers, and is it really going to pay off? I wouldn't ride it and don't need it so why would I want to help pay for it? Besides, Jax is one of the last stops for the train route, and so we would be getting shorted out.

....and all the expensive highways...they are not a HUGE commintment on tax payers? Are they paying off?

I support it and would ride it. Imo, its just another method of transportation, like expressways, which actually cost more. If the state doesn't want to pay for it, I believe enough money could be raised through private investment if the state gets out of the way and supports this option.

DRC OKs San Marco Riverwalk Village

Design Review Committee members granted final approval to developers of the San Marco Riverwalk Village, a five-tower condominium project to include 2,000 units and nearly 180,000 square feet of retail space.

Although the committee granted a height deviation that would allow the developer to build the towers up to 59 stories, the developer is still in negotiations with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission for development rights.

Joe Light/The Times-Union

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor..._21191903.shtml (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022406/bus_21191903.shtml)

Wonder if the height deviation implies that the developer has hinted at going that high ?

59 stories would almost surely be taller than BofA !

This makes the second floor count increase so far.

28 - 40
30 - 42
35 - 48 - 59?
35 - 48 - 59?
35 - 48 - 59?

59 floors would be awsome, and it would be at least as tall as Bofa!

On the topic of commuter rails in Jax, if it does happen, I think that a line running to and from G'ville would be a good idea. I've heard about city planners in G'ville discussing it as something that would make sense in the future. And, with as much traffic on 301 as there is, it would make sense for there to be commuter rail even now. I think it could be a catalyst for economic growth to the area as a whole and attract new businesses. North Florida's largest city connected by commuter rail to the town with Florida's largest and most acclaimed university. It would benefit both cities!

St. Johns Village

Here's the latest renderings for the St. Johns Village project. The tower height has been revised to 21 stories, instead of the original 17.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/81/commandersideelevation5hg.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4051/commandersiteplan2ef.jpg

Someone must be spreading miracle grow over all the projects that go through the JEDC and DRC.


So it this brick for the first few floors and then stucco for the rest?

Someone must be spreading miracle grow over all the projects that go through the JEDC and DRC.


And to think -- someone's going through Tampa's projects with a machete.

We have a tiny, yet valuable airport here that must take precedence over (God forbid) ugly, tall, towering projects. We like 'em small I say, small. Yessir -- kinda like r thinkin' in these parts... :poke:

Good for you, Jacksonville. Keep thinking bigger and better. :cheers:

This makes the second floor count increase so far.

28 - 40
30 - 42
35 - 48 - 59?
35 - 48 - 59?
35 - 48 - 59?
That has just been approved. The 59 story towers ill be 650 feet (new city tallest before the 70 story tower is built).


Also final approval for the 51 story St Johns which will now be 582 feet.

From my understanding of San Marco Riverwalk Village, the 40 story tower's height was increased to 59 stories, meaning the others are still 48,48,48 & 42.

That has just been approved. The 59 story towers ill be 650 feet (new city tallest before the 70 story tower is built).


Also final approval for the 51 story St Johns which will now be 582 feet. :eek2:

I'm very impressed with whats being going on in Jacksonville. They look to be moving to solidify their spot as one of the big cities in Florida.

From my understanding of San Marco Riverwalk Village, the 40 story tower's height was increased to 59 stories, meaning the others are still 48,48,48 & 42.
Yeah, I can see that now. Strange to think what was to be the smallest of the 5 in the project is now to be the tallest. I can't wait for some new renders.


Fellas, if our mayor and his staff would get their act together, no telling how much faster these would possibly come to fruition and how many more incredible projects would be on the table.

^^Maybe when Peyton's time is up Delaney will run for a third term. :cheers:

Meanwhile, great news about SMRV and St. Johns!!!! And the towers currently going up on the Southbank are shooting up like weeds. To think, we've gone so long without any new scrapers downtown, all while watching other cities' skylines boom. Now Jax's skyline is going to be booming. Patience is paying off in this case....big time. But, I'm not too surprised. I've always thought that when it comes to economic development, Jax was always more forward thinking than most of Florida's other large cities. It just had to be "discovered", and it's starting to look like it has been. In fact, some of the fastest growing counties in Florida over the next 25 years are projected to be in Jax metro.

On a different note, I saw on the local news the other night that the guy responsible for lighting up Jax's bridges during the Super Bowl has a plan outlined to light up the downtown core (buildings, streets, etc.), as well as installing art and other attractive features. The cost of lighting up each block would primarily be paid for by corporate sponsors. Hope he's successful.

Yes his plan is very interesting. I'd like to see his firm be the first corporate sponser, by moving forward to improve his block, which is featured in these images.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022306/117952_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022306/117953_400.jpg

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/022306/117954_400.jpg

His plan is great. It works like guides between destinations in downtown, just stay on the pretty lighted streets.

It's non invasive on other projects and easily expandable if other corridors increase in activity.

That's terrific. Tampa's little Light Up Downtown show a few weeks ago was cool, but not enough of it was permanent. Putting up some permanent light displays in downtown would really make it an interesting place.

I have a nagging thought. It's been a decade since I lived in Jax, but... all these projects going up on the southbank--does it seem as though the CBD on the northbank is going to remain a ghost town after dark, even with all the new development? Isn't shopping and nightlife going to have to gravitate to the southbank over time? I'm not 100% on where all these projects are going, how many are sure things vice speculative, and so forth, so I may be missing some big projects nearer the CBD on the northbank that will help spread out the population. Are my nervous ramblings unwarranted?

The Southbank gets all the press because that's where the tall new towers are going up, but the Northbank has a very bright future with all of the historic loft rehabs taking place. If everything goes as planned, it will also see a couple of new highrises break ground before the end of the year. In the end you'll Jax will have a downtown featuring a predominately historic urban center on the northbank and a modern southbank scene. Here's some pics of a couple of Northbank construction projects.

Metropolitan Apartments (118 unit conversion project)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/TheMetropolitan.jpg

Laura Trio
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/5103/lauratriobisbeel3pd.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lauratriobisbeel3pd.jpg) http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/961/lauratriofllifel6kq.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lauratriofllifel6kq.jpg)

Laura Trio (Bisbee Building "left" will become office space, while the Florida Life Building "right", will become loft units. Also the old Barnett Bank tower "far right background", is being converted into live/work lofts
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/LauraTrio.jpg

Barnett, up close
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/TheBarnett.jpg

storefronts being renovated at 100 Adams Street
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/100blockAdams.jpg

recently completed loft conversions include the Carling and 11 East Forsyth

The Carling (former Roosevelt Hotel) - 100 loft units
http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/3743/carling8cw.jpg

11 East Forsyth (former Lynch Building) - 127 loft units
http://img348.imageshack.us/img348/1054/11eastl4ai.jpg

Unfortunately we'll probably never see these levels of density again.

downtown - 1960
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/general/n032564.jpg

Northside in 1939, before the age of expressways and urban renewal
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/spottswood/sp00054.jpg

downtown - either the 1930s or 1940s (no parking lots)
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/general/n032574.jpg

Hopefully we won't see the 1960s or 1970s again either
http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/commerce/c800808.jpg

Don't worry Lake, you'll never see those years, times and seasons again. They are a done deal and passe. Look out Florida, Jacksonville is almost awake and back!

HEIGHTS UNKNOWN

Ugh! That pic makes me want to cover my eyes.

Much ado about downtown
Metro Jacksonville Discussion Board starting to get media coverage

by Miranda G. McLeod

Staff Writer

There weren’t too many new ideas introduced at City Council member Suzanne Jenkins’ meeting about downtown Tuesday. It was however, a packed house. Developers Cameron Kuhn and Toney Sleiman were both in attendance, along with Council President Kevin Hyde and Council members Lynette Self and Ronnie Fussell. Mayor John Peyton was at a meeting off Normandy Boulevard for his “Evening with the Mayor” series and no one else from the mayor’s office attended.


• President of TTV Architects Tri Vu proposed wider sidewalks, more public art, more public restrooms and lighting major corridors of downtown, including connecting sectors of downtown with “Cultural Paths.” Much like trolley routes, cultural paths would connect main hot spots of downtown like the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art with the Landing and the Florida Theatre to the River. Vu suggested the plan start on Forsyth, Newnan and Ocean streets, with focus on the Florida Theatre.

• Vu focused on the city’s parks, saying many of them are just public restrooms. “Parks are not designed as urban activity centers,” he said. Vu proposed renovation of Jessie Ball Park on Newnan Street. It would be paid for by citizen and corporate-bought stars that would later decorate the park, celebrating theater. He said the project would cost $700,000, but would be underwritten by the purchase of stars.

• Vu said widening sidewalks wouldn’t take away from the current size of streets and it wouldn’t make traffic any quicker. Getting from point A to point B doesn’t need to happen in six seconds, quipped Vu. “A minute and a half is just fine.”

• Developer Toney Sleiman was noticeably upset with Vu’s comment on downtown parking. Vu contends there is ample parking while Sleiman has been pushing for a garage near the Landing.

• Internet discussion board Metro Jacksonville members said downtown should be no different from other river cities, but ask “Why start over?” The city has presented multiple-plans to revitalize downtown, none of which have been brought to fruition. Metro Jacksonville suggests finishing what was started.

• Jenkins said before her term is over (in less than 18 months), progress will be made downtown.

• Metro Jacksonville believes the City should let the developers do the developing and the city should work to strengthen public and private relationships. “The city is not a developer,” they said. “The government should support, not lead redevelopment. The city’s job is to regulate.”

• “The city has owned riverfront land for 130 years, but haven’t done anything with it,” according to the round-robin group presentation by Metro Jacksonville.

• Pioneers-4-Jax Founder Susann Marino received a lot of applause for her presentation to the crowd. “Make the city’s identifying mark the Landing,” she said. “Our future is now.” She said the city has diluted other proposals and projects to an extreme. “Delirium cannot focus,” she said. Pioneers-4-Jax is an organization of downtown residents and merchants that was formed as a grassroots voice focused on the betterment of what they dub the “Shining City on the River.”

• One speaker directed his comments to the absent mayor. “There’s one man missing tonight — If you want the public’s input, this is where you should be.”

• Picketers held “Recall Peyton” signs during the meeting and in Hemming Plaza after the meeting.

• Jenkins said she would come up with a plan in three months and return for another meeting.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=44693

Much ado about downtown
Metro Jacksonville Discussion Board starting to get media coverage

by Miranda G. McLeod

Staff Writer

There weren’t too many new ideas introduced at City Council member Suzanne Jenkins’ meeting about downtown Tuesday. It was however, a packed house. Developers Cameron Kuhn and Toney Sleiman were both in attendance, along with Council President Kevin Hyde and Council members Lynette Self and Ronnie Fussell. Mayor John Peyton was at a meeting off Normandy Boulevard for his “Evening with the Mayor” series and no one else from the mayor’s office attended.


• President of TTV Architects Tri Vu proposed wider sidewalks, more public art, more public restrooms and lighting major corridors of downtown, including connecting sectors of downtown with “Cultural Paths.” Much like trolley routes, cultural paths would connect main hot spots of downtown like the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art with the Landing and the Florida Theatre to the River. Vu suggested the plan start on Forsyth, Newnan and Ocean streets, with focus on the Florida Theatre.

• Vu focused on the city’s parks, saying many of them are just public restrooms. “Parks are not designed as urban activity centers,” he said. Vu proposed renovation of Jessie Ball Park on Newnan Street. It would be paid for by citizen and corporate-bought stars that would later decorate the park, celebrating theater. He said the project would cost $700,000, but would be underwritten by the purchase of stars.

• Vu said widening sidewalks wouldn’t take away from the current size of streets and it wouldn’t make traffic any quicker. Getting from point A to point B doesn’t need to happen in six seconds, quipped Vu. “A minute and a half is just fine.”

• Developer Toney Sleiman was noticeably upset with Vu’s comment on downtown parking. Vu contends there is ample parking while Sleiman has been pushing for a garage near the Landing.

• Internet discussion board Metro Jacksonville members said downtown should be no different from other river cities, but ask “Why start over?” The city has presented multiple-plans to revitalize downtown, none of which have been brought to fruition. Metro Jacksonville suggests finishing what was started.

• Jenkins said before her term is over (in less than 18 months), progress will be made downtown.

• Metro Jacksonville believes the City should let the developers do the developing and the city should work to strengthen public and private relationships. “The city is not a developer,” they said. “The government should support, not lead redevelopment. The city’s job is to regulate.”

• “The city has owned riverfront land for 130 years, but haven’t done anything with it,” according to the round-robin group presentation by Metro Jacksonville.

• Pioneers-4-Jax Founder Susann Marino received a lot of applause for her presentation to the crowd. “Make the city’s identifying mark the Landing,” she said. “Our future is now.” She said the city has diluted other proposals and projects to an extreme. “Delirium cannot focus,” she said. Pioneers-4-Jax is an organization of downtown residents and merchants that was formed as a grassroots voice focused on the betterment of what they dub the “Shining City on the River.”

• One speaker directed his comments to the absent mayor. “There’s one man missing tonight — If you want the public’s input, this is where you should be.”

• Picketers held “Recall Peyton” signs during the meeting and in Hemming Plaza after the meeting.

• Jenkins said she would come up with a plan in three months and return for another meeting.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=44693

pics from downtown development meeting...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/FullHouse.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/RecallPeyton.jpg

rendering of San Marco Riverwalk Village
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/SanMarcoRiverwalkVillage-plan.jpg

rendering of San Marco River District, next door
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/lakelander/Jacksonville%202006/SanMarcoRiverDistrict-plan.jpg

There appears to have been some very interesting comments made at that meeting. Lakelander, what do you think of some of these opinions expressed at that meeting?

I agree with them. In fact, I presented some of them, on behalf of the Metro Jacksonville Discussion Board. Now its up to the Mayor to finally listen to the public or risk more opposition.

Hello everyone. The St. John Tower currently approved for the southbank is exciting, but is the timeline accurate on ground breaking and completion? I read that construction should begin sometime at the end of 2006; however, I was attending a dinner party the other night and heard some disturbing news regarding the tower. I was told by someone, who knew the sales manager of the project, that construction on the building would not start until a percentage of units were sold. The Hines company has not even started their marketing campaign and a sales office has not been constructed. Do you know when this will occur? From the information I received, it sounds like the project will not be completed until 5+ years out. Please tell me this is not true.

Condo buildings tyically don't break ground until a certain number of units are reserved. With that said, they've probably already started marketing the project to certain affiliates. They also already have billboards up on I-95 and a website. If the downtown market is as strong as it appears to be, it shouldn't take over a year to pre-sell around 150 units. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but the chances of them breaking ground this year still seems pretty sound to me.

I thought at one point there was a permit issued by the city for the construction of a sales trailer at the site maybe a month ago or so.

I don't understand why developers give these projected start dates when they must know very well that they cannot come anywhere close to meeting them. Makes them look incompetent at best, at worst simply dishonest.

The St. John Tower currently approved for the southbank is exciting, but is the timeline accurate on ground breaking and completion? I read that construction should begin sometime at the end of 2006; however, I was attending a dinner party the other night and heard some disturbing news regarding the tower. I was told by someone, who knew the sales manager of the project, that construction on the building would not start until a percentage of units were sold.

It's standard practice for banks to require at least 50% of the units to be pre-sold. However, the developer and other project investors usually buy many pre-sale units themselves. Developers also offer pre-sales to their friends before they officially go on the market. So a condo might already be 20% or 30% pre-sold by the time it even hits the market. This is why some condos - like the Peninsula - reach their pre-sale goals in just a couple of weeks!!

Hines might just be very cocky that The St John will reach their sales goals within a few weeks or months. This would leave Hines with several months to negotiate construction contracts and file permits. So a 2006 start date isn't unreasonable.

However, some projects - like Marina San Pablo - don't hit their sales targets very fast, and can get years behind schedule.

Let's hope that's not the case for this one. I just hope the Miami style architecture is not too extreme for Jacksonville. Personally, I think it's going to add to the skyline, but empty nesters might see different. Let's hope that the young execs and transplants find it desirable so that the units sell quickly.

St. Johns Update

Jacksonville Planning and Development Department review for The St. John, a 51-story condominium, 999 Prudential Drive, on 2.55 acres; owner is Hines Riverpointe Associates LP; engineer is Connelly & Wicker Inc. (No. 616.211)

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/031306/bus_21318709.shtml

I agree with them. In fact, I presented some of them, on behalf of the Metro Jacksonville Discussion Board. Now its up to the Mayor to finally listen to the public or risk more opposition.


What do you think of the parking issue in specific? Vu and Sleiman appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Even back when Rouse owned the Landing, they made a big deal over there not being enough parking and that the city should build more adjacent to the Landing. However, the dynamics in downtown seem to be shifting to a more residential makeup, so adjacent parking may not be as critical to the Landing doing well as some would have us to believe? Agree or disagree?

What is the St. Johns Tower website?

What do you think of the parking issue in specific? Vu and Sleiman appear to be at opposite ends of the spectrum. Even back when Rouse owned the Landing, they made a big deal over there not being enough parking and that the city should build more adjacent to the Landing. However, the dynamics in downtown seem to be shifting to a more residential makeup, so adjacent parking may not be as critical to the Landing doing well as some would have us to believe? Agree or disagree?

The amount of parking for downtown and the Landing are two different topics. There's more than enough spaces for downtown, in general, but for the Landing to succeed as a retail center, its critical for it to have its own connected parking garage. Its critical because national retailers have minimum parking requirements that must be met, for them to open up. Yes, there's spaces in downtown, but there's no gaurantee that they will be available if there's some event going on at the Times Union Center or Florida Theater, for example. Believe or not, they have garages in cities like New Orleans, Chicago, Baltimore and San Diego. The lack of sufficient promised parking is one of the main reasons the center has struggled for the past 20 years and why Rouse bailed. As long as the garage is built with street level retail, and with the developer's own money, I don't see why Mayor Peyton won't let him proceed.

The St Johns website:

http://www.thestjohnjax.com/

http://www.clubparis.net/locations/

Jacksonville is getting one before Las Vegas, New York City, Miami Beach, London and, yes even Paris.

http://www.clubparis.net/locations/

Jacksonville is getting one before Las Vegas, New York City, Miami Beach, London and, yes even Paris.
,,,,,,,, Yay

fyi, insider information.......

The St John Hotel & Residences, originally proposed to be 70 stories/700' high is now 64 floors (I assume the floor heights have increased still busting the 700' level) and plans are expected to be presented to the DRC, next month. The insider is a part of the group who sold the land to the developer and claims to have a set of plans on his desk. However, he's not willing to have them exposed to the public yet.

Very interesting, Lake. Would you care to elaborate on metjax? :)

I believe I already have.

River Watch Tower revised
http://www.jacksonville.com/images/032506/122605_300.jpg

River watch ready to rise

On Thursday, Orlando-based developer Cameron Kuhn released renderings of his River Watch at City Centre tower, a 33-story project that the developer plans will have about 120 condos and 200 hotel rooms. Kuhn hopes to begin construction this July, complete the parking garage 18 months from the start date and finish the tower about 12 months after the garage.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/032506/bus_21448072.shtml

I like it. And I'm guessing at least 350'.

Well, it is not normal Jax. Not sure how it will mesh at that location and seems to lack street action, but that rendering doesn't really allow for much detail

Cameron Kuhn is the developer so any worries of street interaction will be minimal.

It looks like a mix of southbank residential and commercial (think Strand vs Prudential building).

Personally, I like the original design (which we now know was stock) better. However, I'm not to worried about street retail, the entire base will have street level retail, excluding the hotel portion, shown in this latest rendering. Rumor has it that Cheesecake Factory and PF Changs are possible tenants.

I also liked the original design better. I'm also not concerned about street retail given Cameron Kuhn's track record and the fact it has an opportunity to feed off of The Jacksonville Landing's (hopefully by then The "New" Jacksonville Landing) retail area.

But, I'm not a big fan of the design.. and I don't like the hotel component anyway. Jax hotels have had a history of having trouble keeping hotel rooms booked and there just now showing good occupancy numbers as a result of the Super Bowl, and various sporting events, and recovery from the post-9/11 tourism drought. I think 200 is too much and could flood the market. Plus, isn't the focal point for Jax moving people downtown? And right now for new projects in Downtown Jax, the profit is in residential not hotel, right? It'd be tight if it were 270 to 50 instead of 120 residential units to 200 hotel units..

I'm most interested to see how this will affect the Landing redevelopment, too.

From my understanding, the best case scenario is if Riverwatch gets built and Cameron builds an extra massive garage to accomodate not only his development but also Landing patrons. That way Toney Sleiman gets his parking spaces and can start his redevelopment ASAP and the city which, by contract language is required to provide parking for the Landing, doesn't have to take it out of the taxpayer's pocket. From information on the article it appears Cameron is on the same page has Sleiman and the City, which would be great news..

Parking at the Riverwatch project could also free up the Hogan street surface parking lot which would make space for Sleiman's grandiose plans for condo and office and I believe even hotel. But, most of that parking would have to come from the massive garage at the Riverwatch which is what makes it so crucial to the Landing's redevelopment efforts.

A deal between Sleiman, Kuhn and the city was worked out last week. Kuhn's project will begin in 4 months and will include 375 spaces for the Landing, releasing the city from its outstanding parking obligation. In turn, the city will sell Sleiman the east lot at a market rate price. Sleiman, then intends to build a mixed-use project that will include 1,000 spaces for the Landing. Since this garage will take care of the Landing's needs, the Hogan Street view corridor will stay open.

As far as downtown is concerned, residential uses are the focus, but as the CBD revives itself the market will continue to grow for complementing cultural, retail, office and hospitality uses, as well as residential.

As for hotels in downtown, I believe they have been very successful. The only one that really struggled was the 966 unit Adams Mark. However, its had a complete turnaround since Hyatt took over. Better brand name, I guess. With that said, several hotel operators have been looking to build in the downtown market. Just last week, plans were announced for two 110 unit 8 story Hilton hotels (Homewood Suites & Hilton Garden Inn) on the southbank. Construction on that project should break ground some time this summer. The 64 story, St John Hotel & Residences will also include a decent sized luxury hotel, however it won't break ground this year.

Great news ! Now let's just get that courthouse moving and downtown's back in the pink as far as I'm concerned !

I too like the redesign better than the original. I think it fits in better with the existing northbank highrise cluster and I like the geometric, stepped up look. Also, the glass color may be different in the final product, according to rebeldon, but I like the pale color in the rendering personally. I also like the way they have preserved the pocket park in front of the site (currently known as Sister Cities Plaza) and I hope the City will now enhance this park. Finally, I think the little drive through (presumably for the hotel) is a neat feature. I think the project will really compliment the Landing redevelopment and I am looking forward to it.

I am not a fan of the new design; I was looking for something a little more pinnacle like or even rounded to really fit in and set off the density and relate more to the tall towers already in that surrounding area.

Altogether a "good" design, I won't fight or fuss; happy to finally have the redering out and the good news about construction possibly beginning this year.

I think the reason for the axing of the more rounded design is because the space the massive parking lot will require since it must accomodate the parking for the Landing and the Riverwatch.. If you look in the rendering you can see it takes up most of the lot's space, which may also explain why it pokes off the property for a drive thru area (which is kinda neat). I think the original design was sweet but its just not physically possible because of the parking needs, right?

The original rendering was just a stock photo. What you see now is the true original and only design. By not rounding off the building to the corner, they were able to preserve an existing pocket park and the short dead end street (north of the park), looks to have been extended and turned into the hotel's front entrance.

Big Southbank plans

Jorge Perez, founder and CEO of The Related Group of Florida, Steve Pardo, a member of the San Marco Riverwalk Village ownership group and City Council President Kevin Hyde.

by Max Marbut

Staff Writer

Jorge Perez, founder, chairman and CEO of The Related Group of Florida, was in Jacksonville Tuesday to announce a major new mixed-use urban development project for the Southbank.

Perez said the San Marco Riverwalk Village will include four, 48-story towers combining residential and retail plus a fifth building dedicated to restaurants, retail and office space, a marina and a public riverwalk.

“It’s very hard to find opportunities like this,” he said. “Jacksonville is one of the best business cities in Florida. Finding this large piece of land on the water next to one of the most upscale neighborhoods and being able to contribute to both that neighborhood and to the Downtown development is like a dream come true for us.

“Our company specializes in large-scale mixed-used developments that offer us an opportunity to really contribute to changing the urban fiber of a city. We like to do developments that are catalysts for further development of a city. In terms of location, Jacksonville is as cool as you can find.”

Since 1979, The Related Group has built and managed more than 55,000 residential units in Florida. The company’s current development portfolio includes projects valued in excess of $10 billion and in 2005 reported sales of more than $3.2 billion.

The first step, Perez said, will be to build a sales office in the next three months.

“If everything goes well, we could be under construction in a year,” he said.

The project will involve relocating the Chart House when construction of the second building begins and ultimately demolishing the Radisson, but Perez said he doesn’t expect that to happen for at least five years.

He also revealed that he inked an agreement to build a 200-room Courtyard Marriott to replace the Radisson. He expects to break ground on the new Marriott next year.

When asked about rumors that Donald Trump might be involved either as an investor or an owner, Perez replied, “Donald and I have already talked about this. I need to assess whether it’s the type of project that he might contribute some value to. If he does, he could very well become one of our partners here.”

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=44815

^ These guys get things done.

Why can't Tampa or even St. Pete d something like this? Oh yeah, because the city commisioniars suck.

Auchter Construction has another rendering of the Peninsula on their construction website.

http://www.auchter.com/pages%20for%20fireworks/active%20projects/peninsula/peninsula%20building%20rendering.jpg

The following link has construction pics of several highrise developments in Florida that they are currently working on.
http://www.auchter.com/pages%20for%20fireworks/active%20projects/active%20projects.htm

Auchter Construction has another rendering of the Peninsula on their construction website.

http://www.auchter.com/pages%20for%20fireworks/active%20projects/peninsula/peninsula%20building%20rendering.jpg

The following link has construction pics of several highrise developments in Florida that they are currently working on.
http://www.auchter.com/pages%20for%20fireworks/active%20projects/active%20projects.htm
EEEEWWWWW

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/033106/123210_300.jpg

This building was originally proposed to be 70 stories and up to 700ft. Its now 68 stories and 650ft tall. It recieved conceptual approval from the DRC. If every thing goes well, developer Bayard Spector plans to begin sales this year and start construction in about a year on the complex, which would have 469 condo units and a 169 unit hotel. Also the Kimmick Corp., developers of 20 West had a modification approved in their design, since the historic commission denied their plan to add a 7th story to the historic Lerner Shops Building.[/quote]

full story
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/033106/bus_21498352.shtml

I hope this is not the actual design.

I believe so. Its a carbon copy of 50 Biscayne Bay, without the red peppermint sticks.

Wow, so notwithstanding the shushing about this being just a prelimenary CAD design, it really is that boring.

And now I don't even think it'll ber the tallest, will it ? Won't that distinction go the 59st tower in Southbank ?

I like that 68 story bldg. and the Peninsula, but what do I know.

Same height at 650ft. They have only been working on this project for 3 months, so I'd expect it to change for the worse or better, during the upcoming months.

The design is fine with me, however, I wish that they would have left the crown on the roof.

Here's a better pic Viper pulled for Jacksonville.com

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y122/viperempire/StJohnsHotel.jpg

BEfore I comment - is it going to sit a field of grass like that or is there some urban context?

Same architect as the Miami tower?

The only redeeming quality, in my opinion, of the original rendering was the parapet crown which has now been apparently removed. I too think this is a very boring design although it could certainly be worse. Although I know many disagree, I think a more traditional design would look better in Jacksonville. Still, I will take it over nothing. :yes:

I don't know why most of these developers produce renderings with their buildings in the middle of nowhere. Anyway, the site is one block from the new arena, ballpark and Alltel Stadium, about a half mile east of the heart of the Northbank. The Shipyards development is across the street, along with Metropolitan Park and the proposed St. Johns Pointe highrise project. In this Shipyard's model, the tower would sit between the area and the expressway, where 3 lowrise square block buildings is shown. Btw, the architect also designed 50 Biscayne, thus the similarity or outright copy.

http://firstcoastus.com/cowford/galleries/081403_shipyards/images/DSCN6069.jpg

Personally, I like the design of the Riverwatch tower (Kuhn's project). I know a lot of people liked the original stock rendering, but I wasn't overly enthused about it (the design looked a little dated to me.....kinda 80's looking). The new design fits with the surrounding towers better, and it's sleeker and more modern looking.

On the other hand, I don't know what to think of the design of the new NB tower. It's unoffensive, and ok looking in and of itself. However, one would think that any design firm worth its salt wouldn't be sticking to generic, carbon copy designs for all of its major, high profile projects. For such a large presence on Jax's skyline, it doesn't show a lot of creativity or originality. With this being an Atlanta firm, you would think they would at least gussy up the roofline with some spire or crown. But, with Jax being a FL city, I guess they felt the need to continue FL's tradition of flat rooflines. :jk: Anyway, it'll be a noticeable addition to the skyline and I'm glad we're getting it, banal design or no. Hopefully it'll get built and no more of the height will get chopped off.

Also, great news about the Related project on the SB!

that's a cooll looking project.

New office building slated for Riverside Ave.

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/040506/124068_400.jpg

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority last week approved a development plan for a new office and residential building to be built across the street from the Riverside YMCA in Brooklyn.

Developer Hallmark Partners plans to construct "200 Riverside" with 250 residential units, 130,000 square feet of office space, and restaurants and retail space.

Elkins Construction and lawfirm Marks Gray plan to occupy half of the office space.

The JTA owns the land that the project would sit on but will sell the land now that the widening of Riverside Avenue is complete.

The developer plans to start construction by the end of the year and complete it by 2008.

Joe Light/The Times-Union

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/040506/bus_21539518.shtml

I have mixed feelings about this project. On one hand its a great infill project along Riverside Avenue, but I have a sick feeling in my stomach, because the land JTA has agreed to sell them was donated by FDOT for the possible extension of the skyway, along Riverside Avenue. This site sits in the middle of the donated right-of-way thus killing the idea of expanding it down this corridor in the future.

http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/04/10/daily44.html?surround=lfn

Related cancels Jacksonville deal

South Florida Business Journal - 9:20 AM EDT Friday

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The Related Group of Florida has backed out of a partnership deal in a development in Jacksonville's Southbank area.

The Miami-based developer will not be involved in San Marco Riverfront Village, said Stevan Pardo, a partner in Riverwalk Hotels which owns the site.

Pardo said he was told the company would not pursue the partnership on the planned 2,000 unit mixed-use development because it wanted to "monitor market conditions."

The group also wants to see how the city responds to a request for tax increment financing to pay for streets, parks and a riverwalk, Pardo said.

Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Director Ron Barton said the city had not received Pardo's $30 million request for the financing until three days ago.

"If the Related Group pulled out, it's not going to be because of the city or any [tax increment financing] discussion, Barton said.

A representative from the Miami office of the Related Group was unavailable for comment when The Business Journal of Jacksonville, a sister publication to the South Florida Business Journal, tried to contact the company.

The almighty Related is showing some cracks. Every Las Vegas project of theirs bombed. Now this one.

Will we begin to see some Miami cancellations now ?

Jax does not have the high income jobs or the high income retiree transplants to support the number of condos proposed. It's not rocket science. I admire the Related Group for seeing reality and not wishful, pie in the sky, up and coming city dream world some developers live in. Construction costs here are not much less than in Miami, and given equal prices for a condo, most affluent retirees would buy in Miami or further south of Jax, where it is actually warm in the winter.

The almighty Related is showing some cracks. Every Las Vegas project of theirs bombed. Now this one.

Will we begin to see some Miami cancellations now ?


yea there losing there status as the most reliable developer in florida,First icon las vegas, then las ramblas, and now this.

Thank god they really can't cancel anything in miami, well other than 500brickell station or oasis on the bay, both of which im not that big on... Now if they cancelled icon brickell, I would cry.

Ron Barton may be saying the decision to back out was not because of the financing request but that's exactly what Related says the reason is and at this point, I'm willing to accept Relateds' word over City Hall.

Pardo said that the city officials' failure to assure him that they could help offset about $30 million of public improvement expenses for the project undermined a deal.

Munz represents the land owner, Steve Pardo of Riverwalk Hotels LLC.

Pardo partnered with Related to develop the San Marco Riverwalk Village.

Munz says Related pulled out of the project over tax increment financing, or TIF.

Much of the plan included public space, and Related wanted the tax dollars generated from the development to be put toward paying for the public space instead of the city's general revenue fund.

Munz says the city said "no" to TIF.


http://www.firstcoastnews.com/assetpool/images/0641475944_sanmarcovillage.jpg

yea there losing there status as the most reliable developer in florida,First icon las vegas, then las ramblas, and now this.

Thank god they really can't cancel anything in miami, well other than 500brickell station or oasis on the bay, both of which im not that big on... Now if they cancelled icon brickell, I would cry.

If any of their Miami projects were to fail I would put Oasis at the top of the list. Its in a blah location and the asking prices are higher than Plaza on Brickell.

Sorry, I don't blame the city on this. Related looks to be having trouble developing successful projects outside of Miami. Pardo only recently submitted the $30 million TIF plan to the city. This is a $1.5 billion development, negotiating $30 million in TIF financing wouldn't cause someone to walk away this early from the game. As for the prospects of the development, consider it delayed, but not dead. Pardo is the main guy here and he needs an experienced development partner to pull it off. Related was one of the biggest companies in the industry, which gives me the feeling that he must have a waiting list of interested companies looking for a piece of the action.

Nevertheless, we do have a high number of luxury units proposed and its insane to think that all proposals will be built in Jax (or any other city for that matter) as originally planned, especially the phased ones. San Marco Riverwalk's delay will increase the chances of competing mega projects, like the Shipyards, San Marco Riverfront District and St Johns Pointe. In the end, true vibrancy will be achieved with workforce/affordable housing, not luxury condos. That is where this city's focus should be.

I agree. This is clearly one of the few recent cancelled projects that has utterly nothing to do with the city.

It's just simple economics. Construction prices are skyrocketing, and the relatively cheap housing prices in Jax aren't rising at the same rate (though they sure are getting higher).

However, I do think that TIF would be very helpful for this site. Taking a 16 acre super-block and turning it into a 4 block grid with public river access is a worthy cause. I hope the city reconsiders if another developer asks for TIF.