Khan interested in developing shipyards

[Know Growth]

Who was the Original Author of this thread?

[thelakelander]

^^See page one of this thread:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,18672.0.html

Here's a link to Kahn's latest thoughts on the Shipyards property:

Shad Khan: Shipyards proposal expected within weeks

Friday, July 25, 5:35 PM EDT
By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Friday he expects to make a proposal to the city in the next couple of weeks to redevelop the Shipyards, the vacant riverfront acreage near EverBank Field considered a prime Northbank redevelopment site.

"We've got it queued up. I am really excited," Khan said Friday after a news conference to announce that EverBank and the Jaguars have agreed to EverBank's naming-rights extension on the stadium.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543503

[ProjectMaximus]

Khan said after the news conference that Jacksonville is attracting economic development. At the conference, he said a prospect that could bring 4,000 jobs to Jacksonville visited the city Thursday. He would not identify the prospect.

"People are discovering Jacksonville," he said.

When we hear speculation like this we (or at least I) tend to take a "believe it when I see it" approach. Except when it comes from Khan, I do kinda believe it right away. Feeling very hopeful about this one!

[tufsu1]

^ Keep in mind that Khan is also the primary funder behind the Laura Street Trio and the Barnett Bank building...still waiting on those projects.

[edjax]

^^But as I recall didn't he just help finance the purchase of the properties by Atkins?  Which has happened.  As I recall he was not going to be developing the properties.

He facilities getting the ownership of the property into local hands and it would appear that the local guy after much fanfare seems to be falling short once again. Maybe that is why he sees a need for a different approach on the Shipyard project. Which aligns with his comments a while back about locals with money not having any vision.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

^ Keep in mind that Khan is also the primary funder behind the Laura Street Trio and the Barnett Bank building...still waiting on those projects.

Then we also have to keep in mind that he's only backing the projects in funding only.

When you think about the recent projects that he's stamped his name to:

Buying the Jags
Locker Room / Weight Room Upgrades
Complete Office Remodel
Speaker Upgrades at the stadium
Multiple fan experience upgrades at the stadium
Public funding assisted Stadium Upgrades (Scoreboards / pool)
Purchasing the Fulham
Attempting to build a direct line market from Europe to Jacksonville

All of those things he did with the Khan stamp on them and was / is out front with those projects.  They happened quickly.  They were all high-quality.  They are all progressive / unique in their own markets.  The fact that he plans to develop the shipyards using that same approach, I would expect it sooner rather than later and probably with more 'progress' built in than we're even debating at the moment.

[tufsu1]

agreed...but in his case I think his plan is to be the master developer....which means he won't necessarily be developing any of the individual projects on the property.

believe me, I'm fully confident that Khan can build whatever he wants pretty quickly....just not completely sold that he will.

[duvaldude08]

^ Keep in mind that Khan is also the primary funder behind the Laura Street Trio and the Barnett Bank building...still waiting on those projects.

Well he funded the loan to purchase the properties. Everything else is pretty much in the hand of the developers. But I am very confident that whatever they propose for the shipyards will happen. Khan usually does his homework and has all his ducks in a row. I doubt he would propose something with no meat behind it.

[ProjectMaximus]

^ Keep in mind that Khan is also the primary funder behind the Laura Street Trio and the Barnett Bank building...still waiting on those projects.

I did have it in mind when I was typing that post, but all I remember is that he would finance the purchase...which he did.

[Noone]

I wonder if this "event" is part of an effort to refocus attention on the Shipyards.  Perhaps.   Ben are you going to be part of this?  Get out there and support "Intuition Ale Works"

There was another event scheduled for the Shipyards leading up to TPC that got rained out.  Sports and Entertainment have looked at ways to activate the property with large events.  It's not really a site that you can do something small with as there are specific site considerations associated with holding events there.

The shipyards would be a great temporary event space, however as I have found out the hard way... the site itself presents some unique limitations from a risk perspective.  Jason Fisher (of Content Design) and myself talked to several people about decking out the space temporarily with shipping container storefronts, sort of like Brooklyn Flea (you can google that).  Although it was always met with a 'great idea', no one has wanted to put in the work to help make that vision a reality.  Unfortunately, you do need help with things from time to time no matter how resourceful you are.  This is one of those things you would need help with.

I believe the Berkman Plaza is still mired in lawsuits due to the collapse of the garage which resulted in the death of a worker.

What complicates that further is that all of those companies have gone belly up.

Meanwhile, the City still holds bond debt on the property.

Several parties have approached the City with creative ways to carve out at least a part of the property (sort of like the Columbus Commons model posted about extensively on MJ), but the City hasn't been really looking to get creative apparently.  Khan's proposal included a tremendous handout from the City.  From what I understand of that deal, I don't think that it would be a great deal for taxpayers on the surface. 

The Shipyards is part of this new yet to be voted on CRA/DIA zone. 4.8 miles is Waterfront according to a CRA consultant and that zone is from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge. What this entire city, region, and the Governor of Florida need to be aware of is the picking of the winners and losers when establishing the economic opportunity that should exist for everyone on our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new super duper highly restricted CRA/ DIA zone.

Let's all remember the 4/2/14 Noticed meeting by Dist. 14 city councilman Jim Love and then acting Chair of Waterways Don Redman Dist. 4 about new docking Rules and PENALTIES. Does this need to be looked at in this new CRA/DIA zone? YES! Again picking and choosing the winners and losers. 2014-305 is active legislation that the DIA Board could offer a resolution on that can be converted to an amendment that can be carried by District 5 Jacksonville city council member Lori Boyer who is also the city council DIA liaison. Will They? The CEO, councilwoman Boyer and some DIA board members are aware of this. DIA Board meeting 3 days out. Will any media be there? Will CRA draft be part of the agenda. I have yet to have an email back from CEO Aundra Wallace on my concerns and he will have been on the job one year Aug. 19

Also when developing the Shipyards we have to have in the conversation the recent illegal unauthorized purchase of water taxis by the Executive branch that circumvented the legislative branch. 2014-412. Not good. Again picking and choosing the winners and losers.

Opportunity for Who?

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
it will Embrace Us

Restore the Public Trust

[JayBird]

Pretty sure this is what StephenDare has been referring to for the last month, and will probably get its own MJ forum post shortly. JBJ just released four pictures of a tentative plan provided to Khan for the Shipyards property. I'm impressed.

http://m.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/07/28/exclusive-a-first-look-at-possible-jaguar-plans.html?ana=twt&r=full

[JayBird]

[Jason]

Hmmmm....   some interesting ideas there but the apparently VERY preliminary renderings are lacking.  Curious to hear more on this one.

[thelakelander]

Interesting. However, Stephen is referring to another project.

[thelakelander]

Btw, Kahn's project looks like DC's National Harbor development mixed with Jags practice football facilities.