The Ford on Bay

[Kerry]

I dig the name, and like the plan.

Looking forward to seeing what comes back.

What plan?

[thelakelander]

There is no plan. I seriously don't know why this is getting as much press as it is. It's a RFP. At this point, for all we know, all the responses could be rejected just like they were with the convention center RFP for the same exact site.

[jaxlongtimer]

I don't care for the name. I don't know why an RFP would be used to name it as anything. Leave that to the eventual owner. I wouldn't be surprised if they did.  Knowing the city's legal history, it is probably an infringement on Ford Motor Company.

You may be on to something here.  I believe Ford was in the driver's seat (no pun intended) when they owned Jaguar and threatened to sue/sued the Jaguars for trademark infringement on their original logo.  Once again, we have a "Ford" vs. "Jaguar" in Jax.

[Kerry]

How did the DIA get to $1 billion in current downtown construction?  They must have counted I-95 construction and several projects that haven't started yet.

[thelakelander]

^Bingo. The devil is always in the details. The list included I-95 construction, the demolition of City Hall Annex/Courthouse, and a host of other questionable things. Here are a few:

Northbank Riverwalk bulkhead repair, wayfinding signage - $5.65 million
Acosta Bridge LED Lighting - $2.6 million
Coastline Drive - $31 million
I-95 Overland Bridge - $227 million
I-10/I-95 Interchange Improvements/Fuller Warren Bridge expansion - $128 million
Courthouse/City Hall Annex demolition - $7.95 million

Full list here (page 6): http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/Libraries/PDF_Libraries/2018-2019_State_of_DTJax_Interactive.sflb.ashx

[Steve]

There is no plan. I seriously don't know why this is getting as much press as it is. It's a RFP. At this point, for all we know, all the responses could be rejected just like they were with the convention center RFP for the same exact site.

Agreed. I feel like people are focused on the RFP Branding. I personally don't care that they branded it (or what the branding is). It's not like the developer is somehow obligated to keep the RFP Branding.

Like I said, the RFP is fine given the immovable objects Curry has placed on it (buildings already demolished, can't do a convention center).

I'm glad to see they actually issued the thing, but at this stage it's like celebrating (or being upset for that matter) building a house, but all I've actually done is invite all my friends over to tell them, "I'm actually going to do it." Ok fine.......but let me know when I can come over, watch a Super Bowl and mess up your living room.

[FlaBoy]

There is no plan. I seriously don't know why this is getting as much press as it is. It's a RFP. At this point, for all we know, all the responses could be rejected just like they were with the convention center RFP for the same exact site.

I think it is good at least that Boyer has provided a vision that this MUST be retail focused for restaurants/bars. Hopefully, someone bites.

[thelakelander]

^I'd have to go back and look at the zoning, land use and design guideline policies already on the books to confirm but I thought a certain percentage of ground floor retail space was already required with DT development? We're just pretty good at granting exceptions during the design process. So some of this may be being regurgitated from stuff already on the books. Enforcement will be key, assuming a viable project materializes.

[Captain Zissou]

Doro District is listed as $9M UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  What is the $30M cathedral residences renovation that is apparently under construction?

And Vystar is putting $80M into that building?  Does that include purchase price?

Laura Trio $44M under construction.... that's a real stretch.

Small potatoes, but I don't think Ron is putting $800k into 225 Laura unless that includes purchase price.

[Steve]

Doro District is listed as $9M UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  What is the $30M cathedral residences renovation that is apparently under construction?

And Vystar is putting $80M into that building?  Does that include purchase price?

Laura Trio $44M under construction.... that's a real stretch.

Small potatoes, but I don't think Ron is putting $800k into 225 Laura unless that includes purchase price.

Generally yes, the cost of the building purchase is included.

I agree that Doro shouldn't be included, nor the Cathedral residences since Vestcor JUST closed on the building a week ago.

VyStar I'm actually fine with since they did buy a building and are actively doing work.

IMO, Laura Trio should be included for what they've already bought and I'm okay with the full cost of the Barnett renovations, as it seems HIGHLY unlikely they'd just stop today on it.

But I do agree with your point. To include FDOT improvements on I-95 and I-10 is akin to including Jaguar Free Agent Signings as a Downtown Investment.

[itsfantastic1]

Doro District is listed as $9M UNDER CONSTRUCTION.  What is the $30M cathedral residences renovation that is apparently under construction?

And Vystar is putting $80M into that building?  Does that include purchase price?

Laura Trio $44M under construction.... that's a real stretch.

Small potatoes, but I don't think Ron is putting $800k into 225 Laura unless that includes purchase price.

Generally yes, the cost of the building purchase is included.

I agree that Doro shouldn't be included, nor the Cathedral residences since Vestcor JUST closed on the building a week ago.

VyStar I'm actually fine with since they did buy a building and are actively doing work.

IMO, Laura Trio should be included for what they've already bought and I'm okay with the full cost of the Barnett renovations, as it seems HIGHLY unlikely they'd just stop today on it.

But I do agree with your point. To include FDOT improvements on I-95 and I-10 is akin to including Jaguar Free Agent Signings as a Downtown Investment.

Don't give the Mayor any ideas; otherwise we may soon see the City Council getting involved in Jags personnel discussions.

[thelakelander]

But I do agree with your point. To include FDOT improvements on I-95 and I-10 is akin to including Jaguar Free Agent Signings as a Downtown Investment.

Without picking into the numbers too much, those two FDOT projects alone (Overland and Fuller Warren Bridge) are 36% of the billion. But $1 billion sounds a lot better than $645 million.

[tufsu1]

What is the $30M cathedral residences renovation that is apparently under construction?

This is not for the proposed Vestcor project. The existing senior citizen residential towers are being refurbished.

[Captain Zissou]

What is the $30M cathedral residences renovation that is apparently under construction?

This is not for the proposed Vestcor project. The existing senior citizen residential towers are being refurbished.

Yeah I saw Vestcor's project listed as "proposed".  $30M to refurbish senior housing listed as downtown development?  I'm surprised the buildouts of all office space wasn't also thrown into the total. 

[Kerry]

Including purcase price is disingenuous because the building already existed.  The only way counting that would make sense is if there was an equal disinvestment from the previous owner.