Must Read from around the web
Jobless rates for Jacksonville remains high in October
jacksonville.com - Jacksonville's unemployment rate fell slightly from 10.8 percent in September to 10.7 percent in October, the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation reported today. But the jobless rate in the Jacksonville…
Is A Wild Card Enough?
urbanjacksonville.info - Despite the balmy temperature at kick-off, the Jaguars' Week 10 game against the New York Jets definitely had the feel of December football.
Touchdown Jacksonville has big plans for Jaguars' Dec. 17 game
jacksonville.com - Since the new Touchdown Jacksonville was announced Nov. 4, the group of Jacksonville businesspeople have begun work to spur Jaguars ticket sales.
Florida lawmakers weigh end of stimulus money
jacksonville.com - As lawmakers grapple with a shortfall for the coming fiscal year that could total as much as $2.7 billion, there's another financial headache looming on the horizon.
Saft Confirms Location for Lithium-Ion Battery Factory in Jacksonville, Florida
pr-canada.net - Following receipt of a $95 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and successful negotiations between Saft, the state of Florida, and…
Stimulus, SunRail at forefront of TPO
jaxdailyrecord.com - For board members of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, discussion surrounding a second helping of stimulus dollars isn't quite yet complete.
Duval Jail population is up despite fewer arrests
jacksonville.com - Official explanations for that paradox range from too much bail to too few plea bargains, but the bottom line is the jail population is 24 percent over its rated capacity…
Daniels calls for change to Jacksonville council term limits
jacksonville.com - Lad Daniels said it wasn't until the end of his first four-year term on the Jacksonville City Council that he finally hit his stride. By then, though, he was on…
New senator: McCain backs Mayport carrier
jacksonville.bizjournals.com - Sen. John McCain is pushing for Jacksonville to get an aircraft carrier at Naval Station Mayport, Florida Sen. George LeMieux told Jacksonville business leaders Friday.
Times-Union parent turns a profit in 3Q
jacksonville.bizjournals.com - Morris Publishing Group LLC pulled out of multimillion-dollar net losses in the first half of 2009 to a net income of $711,000 in the third quarter.
RSS
reednavy
August 14, 2008, 06:57:50 AMBerkman Plaza 2, construction fail at it's finest. I bet they have abandoned it by now. It's getting rediculous, but still love the lonely tower crane.
stjohnsguy
August 14, 2008, 07:08:12 AMIs the Shipyards project dead? I hope so....Would be better used as a Development similar to Bayside in Miami or The Southstreet Seaport in NYC.(See their websites)Get the jail out of there too and bring that area on the River to LIFE. Can only dream
gatorback
August 14, 2008, 07:30:47 AMThanks for the update. Are there no parking lots under construction downtown?
thelakelander
August 14, 2008, 07:51:55 AMWe already have a Rouse Marketplace like Bayside and South Street. Its the Jacksonville Landing. As for the Shipyards, its indefinately delayed, but I believe that's Landmar's property now.
Traveller
August 14, 2008, 08:11:07 AMAlthough not technically downtown, the first Ortega Landing condominium building is coming along nicely.
http://www.ortegalanding.com/photos.htm
TREE4309
August 14, 2008, 08:32:48 AMAnybody have additional info on the project at 20 W. Adams? Is that condos for sale or apartments or offices? Storefronts downstairs? Do they have a website?
Developing101
August 14, 2008, 08:35:26 AMThe Shipyards is still alive, they are just waiting for the right time to pull the trigger. Phase I was the residential tower - which might be another 3-6 years off depending on the condo markets. Phase II will probably happen first, which will be retail on the first floor and I believe 7 floors of commercial offices.
Parking - the Kings Street Station is a huge parking garage that is probably 6 months away from completion (although who will actually use it???).
Berkman - Lord only knows that this developer will never finish the job. Would you buy a condo from a contractor who cut corners and omitted a structural beam causing a fatal collapse? They need to be charged to demolish the half tower and sell the land to a developer that would do something good for the city. In all reality, this will be an eyesoar on the city for another 10 years to come. Keep your eye out for Choate...
Developing101
August 14, 2008, 08:41:33 AMTREE - 20 West Adams has been under construction for 4 years. The general contractor (Kimmick) has been sued by all of his subcontractors for nonpayment. Don't expect that project to be completed for years to come... I believe it was intended as condos, but it will probably be apartments when it finally is completed.
TREE4309
August 14, 2008, 08:45:51 AMThanks...I knew it had been a slow-moving project, but I have seen some activity on it in recent months. Sounds like it's ending up like so many other residential projects downtown have been lately...
Captain Zissou
August 14, 2008, 08:47:01 AMJust a guess, but I believe this is sarcasm. Thanks for the insights anyway, 101.
Kings Avenue Station has definitely slowed, but it could just be that the work has shifted to the interior more than the exterior. I think this forum is aching for some new material, at least I am. Bring on Bay Street Station, Brooklyn Park, Hallmark, St Johns, Shipyards... San Marco Riverfront District anyone? Back in the day it used to be a new proposal every week. I'd be happy to just see Prado Walk go vertical.
For those oldschool metjax readers, whatever happened to Bishopgate??
Developing101
August 14, 2008, 08:55:53 AMBring on Bay Street Station, Brooklyn Park, Hallmark, St Johns, Shipyards... Hell yeah!!! I sure hope these happen. That would be the best thing for the city and especially downtown.
Has Bay Stree Station started design yet? Are they using a local architect or hiring out of Atlanta, Miami, or NY like every other huge project?
HerschelStRes
August 14, 2008, 09:16:51 AMWhats up with the Prado walk? where is that located and what's it going to be used for?
ALSO whats with the artist walk under the bridge on Riverside Ave? Looks interesting..
hiddentrack
August 14, 2008, 10:17:46 AMIt's actually a great location. The hotels will be perfect for any out-of-towners attending Jaguars, Florida-Georgia, or Gator Bowl games since they'll have a hotel directly adjacent to one of JTA's game day shuttle locations. It also works well for anyone in town on business that will need to spend their days downtown since they'll have the Skyway at their doorstep. And let's not forget the AirJTA service which also has a stop at Kings Avenue Station.
Captain Zissou
August 14, 2008, 10:25:08 AMI would also say Kings Ave is within walking distance of two water taxi stops, making it a great game day place to stay.
Captain Zissou
August 14, 2008, 11:12:45 AMThe more i look at that picture on the front page, the more I think the DuPont building is one pretty structure. They also have done two different lighting schemes at night. Last week they lit the glass pyramid at the top, and on Tuesday they had uplighting on all of the columns on the top floor. If they combine the two it will make for an impressive display, despite its small size.
Basstacular
August 14, 2008, 12:08:07 PMWow, Reed and 101, talk about doom and gloom. Being that I am someone who has said for the last two updates that this project is going forward, and looking at your posts you two really have no faith. This project is going forward and will begin construction in the near future. In actuality, the project has not been abandoned and the developer is working night and day to get it started. The project has not lost a single contract as well. I am not making this information up. I receive this information because I am actively involved in this project and I cannot wait till construction resumes in the near future and see what you have to say.
Here is an easy way to look at things. If the developer had intentions to abandon this project, why in the world would he have paid a third party (CTS) to come in and demolish the rest of the garage and remove the debris. That was not OSHA who did that, that was a company hired and paid for by the developer to do that. How do you know new contracts have not been wrote since the accident? I know what has happened to the existing contracts, new contracts and the level of interest in the project since the accident and believe me when I tell you, that I am encouraged and excited for construction to resume.
Also 101, according to OSHA, the garage contractor SPS made a mistake in pouring to much concrete and not following the engineers plans.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=16211
Please try and keep the faith, even if it is only a small amount.
reednavy
August 14, 2008, 02:09:42 PMI have some faith, but damn, finish already. I've grown fond of the tower crane forever there, and will no be happy to see it go. At least we'll have one right beside I-95 for the hospital expansion. I just wish JAX would've caught the high rise wave earlier, then we'd have an even better skyline. I will say this, glad the St. James wasn't built, very ugly, good ridence.
Basstacular
August 14, 2008, 02:26:35 PMGood to hear total faith is not lost. I know it is frustrating for many, look at me, I am professionally and personally invested in this project (buyer). I am frustrated as well, but know with absolute certainty it will go froward and be finished. This developer is one of the most repectable men I have been associated with and this has been his number one priority since the accident happened.
Basstacular
August 14, 2008, 02:31:32 PMIn regard to the Shipyards, I was dealing with a developer who has told me that his company will be taking over that land from LandMar and he had plans to go vertical with commercial space directly next to BP2. He said he was in negotiations with LandMar to purchase the majority of their property and make it his priority to get that land developed ASAP. He almost seemed to good to be true for Downtown advocates and then I was able to verify his legitimacy through his attorney. I do not know specifics and hope to hear something about it in the near future.
thelakelander
August 14, 2008, 03:20:33 PMBishopsgate went up in smoke. The developer could not pull it off.
fhrathore
August 14, 2008, 05:11:53 PMwhat is this artisit mall on the northside?
obie1
August 14, 2008, 07:38:14 PMThe library project is exciting. they are smart to keep the public and arts involved while it moves forward, builds up a heap of good karma.
simms3
August 15, 2008, 10:55:28 AMthe city reclaimed the land from landmar, this is from a guy in commercial real estate at cbrichardellis.
02roadking
August 15, 2008, 11:14:08 AMtoday's Daily Record:
• More good news. LandMar has been informed there are no mechanics liens on the Shipyards property. The lien search was done by Chicago Title Insurance Company. LandMar is currently working on the bulkhead and Northbank Riverwalk extension phase of the multi-use development project.
Lunican
August 15, 2008, 11:47:17 AMHere is a photo of the Shipyards taken July 11, 2008.
Enlarge
brainstormer
August 15, 2008, 06:48:55 PMIn my opinion the vacant blocks between Berkman Plaza 1 and the sports complex area are a huge part of why Downtown feels so disconnected. The coffee plant is kind of an ugly hindrance, but if the riverfront was developed from BP 1 to Metro Park, it would do a lot for connecting our downtown with the huge crowds of the sports complex area. The skyway extension or streetcar line would also help. Like someone else said in an earlier post, I can't wait for the ground breaking of another huge project. The shipyards would be great.
apvbguy
August 16, 2008, 05:29:14 PMsome random thoughts from reading the various posts
Move the jail, JSO, and don't build a new court house directly downtown, these facilties hamper the area and should be located in some fringe area. the skyway should be extended to the sports complex, that is a no brainer!
the skyway going out there would be a help by allowing people to park near d/t go to a game and then go out d/t after a game, anything that makes it easier for people to go d/t will help.
The more building the better, regardless of how pretty or not you think a building project is more people living and working downtown will create the critical mass needed to sustain progress for the area.
I know this conflicts with my first statement but Jails, cops and bail bond shops are not good for the area while residents and businesses are what will be the lifeblood of the area. Another blight is the bus station which should be relocated to the train station area.
more later
JeffreyS
August 16, 2008, 05:35:33 PMI think the Maxwell House is pretty cool. Business is important to a vibrant downtown.
avonjax
August 16, 2008, 10:02:10 PMWhat's the word on Novare? Are they still planning to build here?
thelakelander
August 16, 2008, 10:28:04 PMNothing new. They announced their projects in Houston and Phoenix over a year ago. I assume with the market change, whatever they had planned for Jax is on hold. Of course, I'd love to be wrong.
Developing101
August 18, 2008, 06:54:51 AMBestacular - I stand corrected.
I did not mean to blame the developer for the Berkman dillemma. The only blame on the developer is that he hired Choate as his general contractor. I believe what you say is true and I think that developer is trying everything possible to get it moving again. The very tough thing to overcome is the fact that Choate built the current tower structure - and who knows if they were cutting corners on the rest of the building? As much as I would LOVE to live at that location, there is no way I would risk buying a condo that was built by Choate.
I truly hope that Berkman II does get finished quickly and people live there. This will spur on more development and nightlife to the area. I hope the Shipyards gets underway soon to do the same...?
Gatorziggy
August 18, 2008, 10:50:22 AMWith the Shipyards driving a piling through the JEA main power connection going under the river from the old South bank generating station and a price tag in the millions to replace. I wonder who is going to pay for that now? Landmar or the City?
Charles Hunter
August 20, 2008, 06:12:16 AMAlong Forest Street, just west of I-95 there's lots of heavy equipment working on some property there. Is this part of the McCoys ash clean-up? Anybody know?
reednavy
September 08, 2008, 08:49:19 PMWhat is going on with MODIS?
The signage isn't lit, plus GO JAGUARS isn't mid way up the tower? I know part of the M on the south facade and O on the north facade are missing, but wtf?