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.
aaapolito
September 09, 2009, 07:02:03 AMI hope that the project happens. Additionally, I hope that the project it part of a series of projects in the area. This project will not be able to survive on its own.
Hurricane
September 09, 2009, 07:50:16 AMSo, is it just an exterior renovation? I'm guessing the interior is in terrible shape... I figured they would be gutting the interior and bringing the building up to code?
civil42806
September 09, 2009, 07:54:50 AMlast time I was in there was in 1995 getting my uncle out of there. It was in terrible condition then, can't imagine what its like now. The project looks good and hope its a success.
JeffreyS
September 09, 2009, 07:58:12 AMThe plan indicates they intend to lease 50 1 and 2 bedroom apartments along with ground level business tenants. This is just their exterior zoning request.
hanjin1
September 09, 2009, 09:08:11 AMIs the small store next to the Ambassador, that is planned to be torn down for the courtyard, historic? If so, I would rather they try to keep it if possible. Looks like it could be a nice sandwich shop or something.
thelakelander
September 09, 2009, 09:17:17 AMThat's an old image. That building was torn down years ago.
hanjin1
September 09, 2009, 09:22:55 AMoh ok
heights unknown
September 09, 2009, 09:46:18 AMIt's about time. I guess the building of the Courthouse is going to spur other development in that area and corridor of downtown. Hope the old Independent Life/JEA Bulding's proposed development is revived as well.
Heights Unknown
TheProfessor
September 09, 2009, 09:47:12 AMExciting news!
Joe
September 09, 2009, 10:08:50 AMI wish them the best of luck. There have been plans to renovate the ambassador for over ten years. Hopefully these people will be the ones to do it.
The Metropolitan and Citiplace prove that there is a market for market-rate apartment units in that sector of downtown. It would be great to see one more option.
Overstreet
September 09, 2009, 10:19:11 AMThey have 46 off street parking spaces for 50 units. That will be a problem to over come. Most folks will want their own space whether they use it or not.
I suspect this is still in the preliminary stages.
There will be some interior demo to convert old apartments to lofts. A building that old will probably have asbestos unless it was previously remediated.
Captain Zissou
September 09, 2009, 10:20:43 AMPlanning to redevelop it for over ten years?? Sounds like they were waiting on the courthouse. As was mentioned earlier, I hope the courthouse spurs those pending projects to get out of the ground.
Can't wait for this month's construction update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joe
September 09, 2009, 10:36:31 AMI don't think this one had much to do with the courthouse. There had been at least two plans that fell through by 2002-2003. I think it was because they didn't receive enough development subsidies. Remember, until about 2005, no one was attempting to do large scale downtown residential projects without massive government subsidy.
GideonGlib
September 09, 2009, 11:00:55 AMI hope this comes to fruition. Speaking of downtown residential development projects, what is going on with the old Barnett Bank Building? They put in the new windows and now it just seems to be sitting there.
buckethead
September 09, 2009, 11:04:13 AMI have walked by the building many times, and it is one that I would certaily be interested in refurbishing if I had the resources. It's good to know someone is willing to try.
I need to stop fantasizing and take action. Construction is my business, and historic architecture has always fascinated me. Making the old and unloved regain its former glory, while adding modern functionality is a passion I have long neglected.
I made money contributing to sprawl, because it was easier. Time to focus on what is right. Keeping historicals alive while enhancing urban renewal.
sorry about the confessional... shhh!
buckethead
September 09, 2009, 11:06:52 AMAm I wrong to see that as a steal? Could we form a PAC, Non Profit, Co-Op, or other such entity and gain public loans/funding for downtown renewal?
904Scars
September 09, 2009, 11:11:17 AMThe Ambassador though very rough on the inside probably has the some of the best architectural potential of our aged buildings downtown. Im very excited about this one. Im going to cross my fingers and hope that Jax has enought sense to get something like this done in decent amount of time.
hanjin1
September 09, 2009, 11:18:14 AMAm I wrong to see that as a steal? Could we form a PAC, Non Profit, Co-Op, or other such entity and gain public loans/funding for downtown renewal?
That would be a cool idea. Start the metrojax nonprofit for downtown revival. something like the savannah historic foundation
braeburn
September 09, 2009, 11:28:24 AMFabulous... this is a block away from my condos
904Scars
September 09, 2009, 12:03:03 PMI wanna help! I'll quit my job and start tomorrow! HAHA
Wacca Pilatka
September 09, 2009, 12:10:58 PM904Scars,
That is a fantastic photo in your avatar.
vicupstate
September 09, 2009, 12:18:49 PMThat is a fantastic photo in your avatar.
Indeed. Can we see a bigger version. You could make that an icon for the city.
JoeMerchant
September 09, 2009, 12:42:30 PMI need to stop fantasizing and take action. Construction is my business, and historic architecture has always fascinated me. Making the old and unloved regain its former glory, while adding modern functionality is a passion I have long neglected.
I made money contributing to sprawl, because it was easier. Time to focus on what is right. Keeping historicals alive while enhancing urban renewal.
sorry about the confessional... shhh!
We need to have a "like" button like facebook incorporates for post like this one.
904Scars
September 09, 2009, 01:04:53 PMhope this works I had to do it on my phone. Work blocks photobucket.
vicupstate
September 09, 2009, 02:34:37 PMThanks.
It's such a shame we don't build things with the kind of detail that the St. James building has anymore.
Coolyfett
September 13, 2009, 08:26:18 PMLooks cool