Via the Daily Record! Latitude 30 downtown? Letter of Intent Signed!

[duvaldude08]

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=537630

The old space ship finally has a tenant! 

Latitude 30 signs letter of intent to lease The Library
09/28/2012
by David Chapman, Staff Writer

Latitude Global Inc., a Jacksonville-based entertainment company, has signed a letter of intent to lease the 120,000-square-foot former Haydon Burns Library, now known as The Library, at 122 N. Ocean St.

“We would bring a Latitude 30 Downtown,” said Philip Alia, Latitude chief marketing officer, who confirmed the agreement Friday.

It would include 12 bowling lanes, a sports theater and meeting rooms, among other features, he said, as well as the corporate headquarters.

Broker and contractor Bill Cesery said Thursday a potential tenant would lease the entire space but he would not elaborate.

“It would be exciting for Downtown,” he said.

Alia said the letter of intent was signed last week and provides a 90-day window for Latitude officials to determine whether to enter a purchase-and-sale agreement.

Alia said engineers and consultants are reviewing the structure to determine build-out costs, feasibility and other factors to determine the cost of the project. That cost will be presented Latitude’s board for a decision.

The company’s CEO, founder and chairman Brent Brown, President Gregory Garson and John Alexon are those listed as board members on the company’s management section of its website.

Alia expects to hear from the engineers and consultants within 60 days.

Latitude would incorporate three facets of its business into the three 35,000-square-foot floors, he said.

The first floor will incorporate an entertainment venue similar to other Latitude locations, such as Latitude 30 on Philips Highway.

It would include 12 bowling lanes, a sports theater and meeting rooms, among other features, he said.

It would not include a games room because fewer children are expected to visit a Downtown venue, he said. The company hasn’t determined if a movie theater, which is other locations feature, will open Downtown.

Additionally, Alia said the first floor would feature a restaurant, the 360 Grill, on the southeast corner of the building facing Ocean and East Forsyth streets, with a sightline of The Florida Theatre. It would also a patio and stage area.

Combined, the entertainment areas would need about 60-75 employees, he said.

The second floor would become the company’s headquarters, which are currently housed in the Brownstone Building at 6022 San Jose Blvd., near University Boulevard.

Alia said the corporate office has 30 employees but is anticipated to grow to about 50 by the first quarter of next year.

He said company executives initially looked at the building for its headquarters but during the visit they determined an entertainment venue was also a possibility.

They see their clientele as Downtown workers and the growing number of residents as well as visitors.

“We want to grow with the Downtown area,” Alia said.

The third floor, along with the first floor, would be used for company training, such as management and point-of-sales systems and equipment, he said.

He said project costs will be determined by the engineers and consultants. Parking will also be determined, although he said was a “minor concern” at this point. He said nearby surface lots could provide space.

Alia said the company would seek financial incentives for a potential move Downtown if plans proceed.

“Absolutely. We will explore any and all funding opportunities,” he said.

He also said several cities have approached the company about moving its headquarters out of town, but Alia said he the plan is to remain committed to the Jacksonville community.

“We want to stay. We want to be a part of the Jacksonville skyline,” he said.

That skyline addition would also potentially be the company’s signature globe on top of the library building, but much of the historic nature of the building would likely be retained and is one reason company officials are attracted to it, Alia said.

“This fits our mission statement to a T,” he said. “It’s a historic, iconic building.”

Alia said Latitude will open three more locations, in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Chicago, by the end of the year. That will push its employee count to about 800 people.

Two other locations are lined up, but he could not provide to provide details, he said.


dchapman@baileypub.com

356-2466
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[fsujax]

Dang it DD you beat me to it! haha. this could be huge for downtown.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Dang it DD you beat me to it! haha. this could be huge for downtown.

Parking would be a bitch!

[fsujax]

plenty of free on street parking all weekend and during the week after 5pm.

[duvaldude08]

Dang it DD you beat me to it! haha. this could be huge for downtown.

Parking would be a bitch!

That goes back to perception. There are plenty of off street parking in that area, not to mention surface lots.

[If_I_Loved_you]

plenty of free on street parking all weekend and during the week after 5pm.

True but you do have other business that need the parking also?

[duvaldude08]

I would so go if it were downtown. The southside location is too far way from me now since I moved to the westside. And I hate the other location because of all those children. So no acarde means this will definately be an adult spot. I wonder if brown is going to push for them to include the movie theater, since that fits his vision.

[funwithteeth]

Finally, I can go cosmic bowling without leaving the urban core.

[duvaldude08]

plenty of free on street parking all weekend and during the week after 5pm.

True but you do have other business that need the parking also?

There are many businesses open at night in that area. You have LIT and burrio bar. The only time a see parking issues is when there is something at the Florida Thearte. And Im sure they will have Valet at this location also. That would help.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Look at Latitude 30 off of Phillips highway it was an old Toys R Us with a lot of great parking on site. Latitude 30 in the downtown area of Jacksonville would need the same area of parking. Don't forget the Florida Theatre uses a lot of that parking during shows.

[thelakelander]

It would be nice to have them downtown.  There's more than enough parking spaces to accommodate them if you're willing to walk more than a block.  Besides, walking more than a block helps generate foot traffic needed to fill in other empty spaces in the area (like the old 11 East Starbucks).  It also will help you burn the calories from your meal at 360.

[duvaldude08]

We really need something like this. Things like this is what is going to revitalize our downtown. ALong with more companies and local business relocated. WE have to do it. We can no longer wait on city hall to come up with another "master plan". I really hopes this goes through. Sounds like its solid.

[fsujax]

There are plenty of garages in close proximity that sit empty at night and on the weekend. maybe they can work something out with those garage owners.

[CityLife]

Awesome news for DT!

And shut up about parking Debbie Downer. Not an issue at all for businesses that operate after 5PM and weekends.

Celebrate the win for downtown and let the players involved solve any issues.

[fsquid]

The one on the SS is always packed, no reason this one wouldn't