12:08 PM EST Share City lawmakers held a side policy debate on when to budget and allocate award money from the Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Four City Council committees voted 7-0 this week to advance a $3 million historic preservation grant for Augustine Development Group LLC’s proposed $30 million renovations to Downtown’s Independent Life Building for a final vote.
The Jan. 20 support by the Finance and Rules committees advances Ordinance 2020-0707 to the Council. The legislation includes city-backed financing for Augustine Development subsidiary PEP10 LLC’s plans for a 135-unit apartment development at the historic 19-story tower.
The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health Committee and Safety and Transportation, Energy and Utilities Committees approved the legislation Jan. 19.
Laura Street Trio developer SouthEast Development Group LLC released its latest designs for a two-phase redevelopment of the Downtown property.
The renderings and site plan for the estimated $70.4 million first phase of the project likely will go before the Downtown Development Review Board for conceptual review in March, Southern Group lobbyist and SouthEast Development representative Matt Brockelman said Jan. 21.
The designs show the restored former Florida Life, Bisbee and Marble Bank buildings at 51 W. Forsyth St. Those historic structures comprise the Trio.
Southeast Managing Director Steve Atkins plans a 145-room Marriott hotel with a full-service restaurant and bar, a 4,000-square-foot boutique grocery store and an additional 4,000 square feet of retail space at the Trio.
10:10 PM EST Share The $450 million mixed-use project will next face a final vote for the Jacksonville Jaguars-led deal Jan. 12.
A City Council Committee of the Whole voted 15-4 to advance a $245.3 million taxpayer-backed incentives package for Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s proposed Lot J entertainment and retail venue west of TIAA Bank Field.
The Council’s action Jan. 7 sets up a final vote next week on the $450 million development that is a partnership between the city, Khan company Gecko Investments LLC and Baltimore, Maryland-based The Cordish Companies.
The final vote for the Lot J incentives.
Council members Matt Carlucci, Al Ferraro, Danny Becton and President Tommy Hazouri voted against the bill.
04:28 PM EST Share The District 7 City Council member was joined Dec. 30 by representatives, pastors and business leaders in support the $450 million project that has been facing opposition.
City Council member Reggie Gaffney, joined by faith and business leaders in Jacksonville’s black community, voiced support Dec. 30 for Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s $450 million Lot J project near TIAA Bank Field, a deal that has stirred opposition.
In a news conference at City Hall, Gaffney framed Khan’s entertainment, retail and residential proposal as an opportunity to create jobs for minority-run small businesses and residents in the Eastside neighborhood adjacent to Lot J and the stadium.
07:30 PM EST Share The 19-0 vote caps a yearlong effort to shield the utility from sale attempts and increase transparency.
The Jacksonville City Council finalized broad changes Dec. 8 to JEA Article 21 in the city charter.
The Council’s 19-0 vote approves rewrites to eight charter sections, adding protection from attempts to sell the city-owned utility and increasing transparency in the JEA’s procurement process, executive contracts and board appointments.
Council member Michael Boylan
Council member Michael Boylan led the Article 21 rewrite with city Deputy General Counsel Lawsikia Hodges over a year. He chaired workshops that started in November 2019 as public pressure mounted against an attempt to sell JEA.