Via the Business Journal: Hayden Burns (Library) may get a tenant

[blizz01]

Old downtown library may get a tenant

The former Hayden Burns Public Library in Downtown Jacksonville could soon have a new tenant three years after an investment group acquired the building.

Ringtail Technologies, LLC, a Jacksonville-based wireless internet and telephone provider, is in talks to take the entire second floor of the historic building, company officials said. The building is owned by Main Branch LLC.

Main Branch LLC acquired the former main branch of Jacksonville’s library system at 122 N. Ocean St. in 2007 from the city for $3.25 million. Original plans for the building included a mixed-use development, including an “urban market” grocery store.

But the plans to renovate the former library stalled because of the recession.


Read more: Old downtown library may get a tenant | Jacksonville Business Journal

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2010/11/08/old-downtown-library-to-get-a-tenant.html

[thelakelander]

Hopefully everything will work out for the best, which could create the possibility of finally moving forward with this long delayed project.

[thelakelander]

Here's some more news on this project. Let's make sure these guys don't end up at Cecil Field. Sounds exciting.....

If they move there, the company would take the entire third floor, said Bill Cesery, a developer and one of building's owners.

Younger said Ringtail would open with 50-75 employees doing sales, marketing, administration and programming work. The jobs would be in the $80,000-$100,000 range and could eventually grow to about 300 employees.

The device, about 12 by 5 by 1 inch, would be assembled here with parts made overseas. That assembly, which might be done in the library's basement, could start with 100-150 jobs paying $40,000-$45,000, Younger said. He also said they're considering Cecil Field. With Ringtail for a tenant, Cesery said that would put him in position to apply for a Small Business Administration loan to finance the renovation of the 125,000-square-foot building.

The only definite tenant he has so far is a nightclub planned by partners Matt Richardson and Michael Yokan. Work on the club has already begun, and Richardson said it would be on two levels with bowling, a full-service restaurant and concert space for a crowd of 1,500-2,000.

http://jacksonville.com/business/2010-11-09/story/start-company-pitches-offering-low-cost-wireless-setting-shop-old-library

[blizz01]

The only definite tenant he has so far is a nightclub planned by partners Matt Richardson and Michael Yokan. Work on the club has already begun, and Richardson said it would be on two levels with bowling, a full-service restaurant and concert space for a crowd of 1,500-2,000.

Maybe I've been under a rock lately - are there more details around this?

[Wacca Pilatka]

Yes, I completely missed that bowling/nightclub story too, but it sounds great.

[comncense]

Yes, I completely missed that bowling/nightclub story too, but it sounds great.

That club would be great if it's something like Lucky Strike. I've been to the ones in Vegas and LA and the atmosphere of the place is nice. Somewhat upscale bar + bowling... who would've thought. I didn't know that they already started work on the club space though.

[comncense]

Also, the Jax.com article noted that the potential tenant is also considering Cecil Field. One has to wonder if downtown parking issues play a big part in them making their decision between Downtown and Cecil Field.

[RiversideLoki]

Something incredibly fishy and unsettlingly familiar about that company. Can't put my finger on it. Gonna dig around some.

http://www.ringtailtechnologies.com/

[fieldafm]

Yes, I completely missed that bowling/nightclub story too, but it sounds great.

That club would be great if it's something like Lucky Strike. I've been to the ones in Vegas and LA and the atmosphere of the place is nice. Somewhat upscale bar + bowling... who would've thought. I didn't know that they already started work on the club space though.

I did some work with a group that explored the possibility of bringing a Splittsville franchise to Jax.  Its a really cool concept.  Lattitude 30, which is almost finished will be the same type of deal.

Original plans for the building included a mixed-use development, including an “urban market” grocery store.

With this quote, and the quote in the paper about an urban grocer contacting the Laura Trio group... one has to wonder, is this Laura Street grocer 'City Market'?

Wild Oats had looked at the Jax market years ago, but that was before the real estate bust... and the growth they thought was coming in Jax didnt come to fruition.  Can't believe it would be Wild Oats, and certainly not Trader Joes... so maybe City Market is switching over to the Laura Trio/Capital City group... would make sense with whom the parties that are involved.

[tufsu1]

Wild Oats was bought by Whole Foods a few years ago....and Trader Joe's is nowhere in FL, so I doubt it is them as well.

[Dapperdan]

Is the Library that big to hold both tenants? I don't remember that building appearing to be so big as to hold a bowling alley, concert hall, restaurant, club , maybe a urban market, and a wireless operations on top floor and basement.

[thelakelander]

Its a pretty large building.  It should be able to hold those uses and a little more.

[duvaldude08]

As long as its being used, Im all for it. Its better than another downtown building sitting vacant. If you havent noticed the small scale projects such as this one and 200 riverside just got delayed, but are moving. Unlike the mega pie in the sky dream projects like the St John, Shipyards,etc.

[Ryan Younger]

Something incredibly fishy and unsettlingly familiar about that company. Can't put my finger on it. Gonna dig around some.

http://www.ringtailtechnologies.com/

Anyone that is curious about Ringtail or is in disbelief that we can do what we say we can do.  Please send an email to Ryan@Ringtailtechnologies.com.  I am the CEO and I would be glad to answer any questions you may have regarding our product assuming it's nothing confidential.

Respectfully,
Ryan Younger
CEO / Ringtail Technologies, LLC
http://www.ringtailtechnologies.com

[JeffreyS]

Thanks for posting Ryan. I for one am excited to see that wonderful building put to use.