Midrise Infill Downtown Project Moving Forward

[UNFurbanist]

This project is being built with federal tax credits. I'm not sure the program that makes this project feasible is applicable to regular DT housing.

Yeah, that makes sense. Hopefully this and the recent Brooklyn boom will encourage more general housing and mixed use projects in the area. Isn't there also another affordable housing complex planned for the lot in front of the convention center?

[thelakelander]

^Yes, there was a proposal by Vestcor. I'm not sure if they were successful at getting whatever tax credits they were after.

[brainstormer]

I think the reduced parking spaces is fine. A lot of seniors get around without having a car. This project is also only two blocks from a Skyway station, which is all the more reason to refurbish and extend the Skyway into Brooklyn. Perhaps this will encourage other development to occur around the courthouse and planned Transportation Center.

[mtraininjax]

I can't believe the hypocrisy here, just a neighborhood over there are a bunch out here on MJ crying about old buildings being torn down for progress, yet here, an historic building is being town down and there is no jumping up and down, no thought about "Hey, the entire lot across the street is empty, already torn down, look at a deal there", no nothing.

So tear down an entire neighborhood gets the attention, but a building here and there? Sounds like the Springfield delegation here. So worn down by a building here or there, no one really cares about the integrity of a building here or there.

By these rights and standard, what is left in LaVilla deserves to be demolished if there is a good plan for it. SMH!

[Tacachale]

I can't believe the hypocrisy here, just a neighborhood over there are a bunch out here on MJ crying about old buildings being torn down for progress, yet here, an historic building is being town down and there is no jumping up and down, no thought about "Hey, the entire lot across the street is empty, already torn down, look at a deal there", no nothing.

So tear down an entire neighborhood gets the attention, but a building here and there? Sounds like the Springfield delegation here. So worn down by a building here or there, no one really cares about the integrity of a building here or there.

By these rights and standard, what is left in LaVilla deserves to be demolished if there is a good plan for it. SMH!

[mtraininjax]

All right you building huggers, get right out there, especially Tacachale. You can stop the wave of historic building tear downs, or .......not, lol.

Progress...wrapped in a bulldozer....just what LaVilla needs more of....

[Tacachale]

[Ocklawaha]

Dear mtraininjax

Go home and immediately carry every photo album, every ash tray from the casino, every sea shell from the Key's, every article you've picked up along the road of life except your clothing, food and furnishings... except of course those furnishings you got from mom and dad, or sister. Haul all of this junk to the curb and burn it, it's meaningless to me, its meaningless to Stephen, its meaningless to Tacachale, so what the hell? Do this and report back to us about the wanton destruction of our historic fabric and then I'll take you seriously.

OCK

[vicupstate]

Progress...wrapped in a bulldozer....just what LaVilla needs more of....

Yeah, it's done wonders for LaVilla for 20 years now.

Given the other choices in any direction, I assume this was the only parcels that they could get at a reasonable price.  I'm not happy the building is being demolished, but it is essentially a brick box with any architectural elements already gone. My fear is the demo will occur but the new construction won't.  That would suck. Assuming that doesn't happen at least there's an upside with this demolition. That was NOT the case with Elena Flats and 99% of the Springfield or DT demolitions that have occurred recently.   

[Tacachale]

Progress...wrapped in a bulldozer....just what LaVilla needs more of....

Yeah, it's done wonders for LaVilla for 20 years now.

Given the other choices in any direction, I assume this was the only parcels that they could get at a reasonable price.  I'm not happy the building is being demolished, but it is essentially a brick box with any architectural elements already gone. My fear is the demo will occur but the new construction won't.  That would suck. Assuming that doesn't happen at least there's an upside with this demolition. That was NOT the case with Elena Flats and 99% of the Springfield or DT demolitions that have occurred recently.   

Pretty much my feelings as well. It sucks to see the building go, but I expect that will happen whether it's due to this project or not. The bigger problem would be if they demolish it and then don't complete the project, which means no one else can use it and it could stay vacant for many years.

[Bativac]

My fear is the demo will occur but the new construction won't.  That would suck. Assuming that doesn't happen at least there's an upside with this demolition. That was NOT the case with Elena Flats and 99% of the Springfield or DT demolitions that have occurred recently.

That's what usually happens and my guess, based on this being downtown Jacksonville, is that's exactly what will happen in this case. Hope not! But based on how things tend to go in downtown Jax.............

[thelakelander]

Public funds are paying the majority of the construction cost for this one. It's more likely to happen then more high profile projects like Healthy Town and the Trio.

[thelakelander]

This project was given the green light to proceed from the DDRB:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2015/12/houston-street-project-given-final-green-light.html

The developer asked for three deviations from city code, all of which were approved. The deviations were:

1. To not have to widen Houston Street (a narrow 19th century street) to current city standards.

2. To allow the building's height to exceed the current city cap of 60 feet.

3. To build a parking garage with only 53 spaces as opposed to the 139 city code call for.

This $18.6 million project has been approved for $15.8 million in tax credits from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546549

Under the terms, the project must be completed within 24 months, meaning construction will most likely be starting soon.

[Steve]

This project was given the green light to proceed from the DDRB:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2015/12/houston-street-project-given-final-green-light.html

The developer asked for three deviations from city code, all of which were approved. The deviations were:

1. To not have to widen Houston Street (a narrow 19th century street) to current city standards.

2. To allow the building's height to exceed the current city cap of 60 feet.

3. To build a parking garage with only 53 spaces as opposed to the 139 city code call for.

This $18.6 million project has been approved for $15.8 million in tax credits from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546549

Under the terms, the project must be completed within 24 months, meaning construction will most likely be starting soon.

Any insight to the height restriction? Doesn't seem to make sense, especially since LaVilla isn't really a neighborhood like it was historically.

[jaxjaguar]

This structure will be nearly as tall as the courthouse so you'll easily be able to see it from the interstates. It'll also be nice to finally have some infill in a severely neglected / empty area.