Gateway Jax wants to turn FBC Homer Dome into apartments, grocery

[thelakelander]

Documents filed with a Downtown Investment Authority committee agenda indicate that the former First Baptist Church main auditorium Downtown, now called NoCo Center and the venue for “Beyond Van Gogh” and other exhibits, would be replaced by a 16-story apartment building with a full-service grocery store as part of the Gateway Jax development.

According to the resolution, the grocery space would be part of Gateway’s Block N7 at 119 W. Beaver St. The resolution indicates Gateway plans to redevelop the property into a 16-story building including 250 multifamily units, a structure parking garage with about 400 spaces, and 38,000 square feet of retail space.

The retail space would include 31,500 square feet for “a leading, full-service grocery store.”

For more info: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/dec/06/gateway-jax-wants-to-turn-former-first-baptist-auditorium-into-apartments-grocery/

[heights unknown]

Good. This Church (and its buildings), by the turn of the century, had become a money-making cash cow fiasco to say the least (in all due respect of course to God Almighty). In the early 90's, while I was still in the U.S. Navy (nearing retirement), I came into some hard times, and, had been tithing to 1st Baptist for a while. I went to them for help and reminded them of my donating and helping them via tithing. They, in a cynical and cold tone said "no, we can't help you; sorry." I eventually got the help I needed and went on my way; but I cancelled my tithing to that Church. And...I was not even a member. But that has nothing to do with the possible upcoming razing of this once "Main Auditorium." Some would say that is "sacrilege," in a way. Well, the building is not being used or no more acknowledged as a Church or "God's place of worship" anymore. Funny how things turn out when you claim to be of God, and behind the scenes you are not doing His work correctly or righteously. Lastly, it appears that since that time, the Church Staff, and the Church as a whole have turned things around, trimmed the over fat, and back in the right direction.

[Ken_FSU]

Hopefully this is the resulting of the continuation/deepening of discussions with Publix.

Would just be massive for Gateway Jax if they can close that deal.

Funny to contrast all the Jags big talk about "urban pioneering" and "creating a brand new neighborhood" with the Lot J stick frames and $250 million public ask vs. the progress and momentum that Gateway Jax continues to quietly and confidently amass with this project.

[thelakelander]

The simple thing is that there are people involved with Gateway that have done these types of projects before in first tier markets. Most of the DT Jax projects that fail may have someone with money involved, but not necessarily the right type of development experience.

[heights unknown]

Hopefully this is the resulting of the continuation/deepening of discussions with Publix.

Would just be massive for Gateway Jax if they can close that deal.

Funny to contrast all the Jags big talk about "urban pioneering" and "creating a brand new neighborhood" with the Lot J stick frames and $250 million public ask vs. the progress and momentum that Gateway Jax continues to quietly and confidently amass with this project.

And on the dead and/or other end (north end) of downtown where hardly nothing is and/or was happening hardly at all; focus has been and still is on the riverbank...the south end of the northbank downtown. All talk from Khad Shan. Oh, excuuuuse me...Shad Khan.

[urban_]

This is incredible news. They're actively transforming the nature of the city, for the better. I'm super excited to see this progress.

[Tacachale]

As bummed out as I am that we're missing the opportunity to convert the building into a Simpsons-themed live music venue to capitalize on the Homerdome name, this is even better.