Author Topic: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown  (Read 15343 times)

Noone

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #30 on: October 03, 2013, 11:07:42 PM »
Why is it that downtown infill projects require so much permitting, zoning considerations and what seems to be a tug of war style fight that usually takes years to resolve? And most of the time too much time goes by and the financing falls trough, killing the project.

But if a project is purposed in the burbs, it's finished and completely built before anyone even knows it was ever planed?

Excellent questions.

Another reason is corporate welfare. We have a new DIA and can you believe that if you are patient enough you just wait until the next round of taxpayer money is made available. The most recent example occurred at the 7/24/13 DIA Board meeting and before the 8/19/13 start of the new CEO of the DIA Aundra Wallace.

Imagine participating and hearing people not on the agenda then being recognized and asking for $25,000 for a piece of taxpayer money that has been made available by Mayor Brown.
Now imagine that at a DIA Board meeting a document is released at the end of a marathon meeting and it's an Authorization to Negotiate and Engage on Various Downtown Projects and it's from OED (Office of Economic Development) Surprise! The DIA Board approves it. That $25,000 has now turned into $250,000. This has to be positive.


imagine attending a completely different local Govt. meeting that has to do with this new highly restricted DIA zone and the point of contention is the future economic opportunity that will occur on our St. johns River our American heritage River a FEDERAL, FEDERAL, FEDERAL, Initiative and hearing that only one vendor will be the recipient of economic opportunity. The Public Trust just totally crushed.

Couple this with the new guy from Visit Jacksonville CEO Paul Astleford just on the job for 10 months identifying 32 organizations that are hindering Tourism and everyone should be saying "RICO" The man nails it.

But back to the thread. Affordable elderly apartments and Aundra Wallace was touching on this more than once at meetings that I attended and FEDERAL money that is probably available for section 8 housing in addition to other urban DIA housing options should continue to the infill residency that will assist in making fixed streetcar rail a reality in Downtown Jacksonville.

Is there a DIA meeting of any kind tomorrow? Anyone.



Charles Hunter

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #31 on: October 04, 2013, 06:49:18 AM »
Too bad we cant get these people doing this project to spend that money on the old courthouse maybe...so much empty space waiting for an idea

Yeah an old asbestos having, mold laden unadorned building would have been great....

Don't forget the rats reported to be living there ...

vicupstate

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #32 on: October 04, 2013, 08:30:22 AM »
Why is it that downtown infill projects require so much permitting, zoning considerations and what seems to be a tug of war style fight that usually takes years to resolve? And most of the time too much time goes by and the financing falls trough, killing the project.

But if a project is purposed in the burbs, it's finished and completely built before anyone even knows it was ever planed?

While I agree with the points Lake and others have made in response to this, one other issue is getting financing in the private sector is probably much easier for a suburban project than an urban one, especially in Jacksonville.  There is a lot more perceived risk with doing something DT, especially if it isn't new construction.   That is why the reliance on federal tax credits and programs is so common.
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CityLife

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #33 on: October 04, 2013, 09:01:32 AM »
Development projects that don't require a public hearing are approved by staff, typically after review from multiple departments. This happens after initial meetings with developers and their engineers, lawyers, architects, planners, etc. Followed by a formal review of the project, where there may be lengthy back and forth. I've been involved with projects that don't require a public hearing, but take significantly longer to get approved than a routine PUD due to their complexity.

If a development doesn't require a rezoning or doesn't fall within an overlay like Riverside/Springfield/Downtown, there is not opportunity for public involvement in the process, nor should there be if a development meets codes. The extra layer of review in those places is to ensure that projects are held to a higher standard and to be able to involve the public in the process.

Say what you will about the DDRB or historic preservation boards, but the Family Dollar at State and Newnan should be evidence enough that they are needed. Whether or not they are functioning properly and streamlined for ease of development is a whole different discussion.

thelakelander

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #34 on: October 04, 2013, 09:49:13 AM »
Great example. That Family Dollar and McDonald's went up pretty quick.
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Noone

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #35 on: October 04, 2013, 12:55:04 PM »
DIA meeting today at 4pm. 1st floor city hall open to the public. Anyone going? Free Parking for everyone. Its the Downtown Experience subcommittee meeting of the DIA and is everyone excited about the new Waterway signage that is pre Aundra Wallace? The total crushing of the Public Trust. Have a call in to Don Redman and Scott Wilson.

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JackDiablo

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Re: Residential Midrise Proposed for Downtown
« Reply #36 on: December 26, 2013, 02:14:39 PM »
We need more (affordable) places for young people to live Downtown. Period.

jaxjaguar

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #37 on: December 26, 2013, 03:04:53 PM »
What ever happened with this project and the Ambassador hotel project?

JayBird

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #38 on: December 26, 2013, 04:53:34 PM »
^ it was only a proposal, the developer hasn't purchased the ambassador property yet. I believe they are waiting on city funding.
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jaxjaguar

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Re: Affordable Elderly Apartments proposed for downtown
« Reply #39 on: December 26, 2013, 04:59:00 PM »
sigh... I was really hoping these projects would be breaking ground this coming year... Guess that area will be dead and vacant another 5-10 years :(

duvaldude08

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Re: Residential Midrise Proposed for Downtown
« Reply #40 on: January 14, 2014, 04:55:21 PM »
Whats going on with this?
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