05:10 AM EST Share When it comes to progress in Northeast Florida in the new year, these are the places that will be driving headlines
North Core
Four developers JWB Real Estate Capital, Augustine Development Group, ACE JAX LLC and Jim and Ellen Wiss have announced $116.1 million of investments in the historic area they’ve collectively branded the North Core.
The North Core is bordered by State, Broad, Church and Main streets.
Apartments for the North Core
JWB, led by president Alex Sifakis, plans to invest $11.4 million to redevelop the Federal Reserve and Baptist Convention buildings.
The Wisses acquired from First Baptist Church nearly a full city block that they intend to redevelop.
Herald Democrat
For the city of Denison, 2020 has been unlike any other that the city has seen. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes it brought with it including a shutdown of many businesses in many ways there is nothing to compare it to.
However, as the year comes to an end, city leaders are ultimately describing 2020 as a year of change for not only Denison but the region, state and country. We ve had a lot of change due to the COVID-19 impact, Interim City Manager Bobby Atteberry said. We ve gone places we ve never gone before or considered going before. We had a city that was effectively shut down for six week to business when it just started. It affected personnel, revenues and while we tried to maintain a budget and keep things going.
WITH a pandemic still lingering, Christmas lovers throughout the area have been more heavy-handed with the holiday decorations than ever before. And for the 30th year, my list of Grand Holiday Displays will prove it.
Below you will find manyâbut certainly not allâof the most highly decorated, brightly lighted and outright delightful displays in our area. Theyâve all been nominated by readers and verified by this columnist.
If you go out looking, youâll see countless decorated houses, and thatâs a good thing for those who love touring through the night to see fun Christmas displays, but the ones on this list are exceptional, and worth the extra mile.
Herald Democrat
For the past two years, the city of Sherman has looked south for future growth in the city. With the development of a new high school, entertainment and other large-scale developments, the FM 1417 corridor has positioned itself to be the epicenter of that growth.
Now, the city is turning its gaze north along that same corridor.
The Sherman Planning and Zoning Commission approved early plans this week for Heritage Ranch, a new 440-acre Planned Development along the intersection of FM 1417 and U.S. Highway 82. The new development is expected to bring with it a combination of residential, commercial and entertainment options.