New life for Berkman II? Owners seeking Commercial CBD Rezone

[remc86007]

They could chip in some money, but I don't see that happening if there is any chance that a private investor would do it anyway. I think most people that could help push it forward are waiting to see what materializes at the shipyards first.

[thelakelander]

Money would be needed in the form of incentives to help finish it up, or to raze it.  If it were a real priority, council could find funds to do either.  The problem with this method is spending millions on Berkman means that's money being taken away from other public needs.

[Jim]

If the west end residential district of Khan's Shipyards project proves successful, Berkman Plaza II may regenerate enough interest to not require city council involvement.

[downtownbrown]

^ I'm glad I'm not the only dreamer...

[KenFSU]

If the west end residential district of Khan's Shipyards project proves successful, Berkman Plaza II may regenerate enough interest to not require city council involvement.

Ennis mentioned that the start of the Shipyards was contingent on the razing over the highway ramps separating the sports complex from the river.

I know Lamping has also stated in the past that the Shipyards project would also be contingent on a solution for Berkman II.

With the speed in which the Jaguars want to get to work (groundbreaking early next year), I could see Iguana fronting some of these costs (and perhaps other infrastructure costs), to be repaid by the city over time.

The Jaguars' proposal calls for Khan to buy the Shipyards property at fair market value. With the city perpetually strapped for cash, I wonder if any type of barter is possible (e.g. we give them he land, they pay for riverwalk extensions, and/or construction of the new park and/or partial ramp removal, etc.).

[Jim]

If the west end residential district of Khan's Shipyards project proves successful, Berkman Plaza II may regenerate enough interest to not require city council involvement.

Ennis mentioned that the start of the Shipyards was contingent on the razing over the highway ramps separating the sports complex from the river.

I know Lamping has also stated in the past that the Shipyards project would also be contingent on a solution for Berkman II.

With the speed in which the Jaguars want to get to work (groundbreaking early next year), I could see Iguana fronting some of these costs (and perhaps other infrastructure costs), to be repaid by the city over time.

The Jaguars' proposal calls for Khan to buy the Shipyards property at fair market value. With the city perpetually strapped for cash, I wonder if any type of barter is possible (e.g. we give them he land, they pay for riverwalk extensions, and/or construction of the new park and/or partial ramp removal, etc.).

What about Iguana buying or taking over Berkman Plaza II itself?

[thelakelander]

The city isn't in control of the bridge. That's a FDOT structure. I suspect the process of them demolishing it deals with much more than just being fronted the money.

[RattlerGator]

The city may -- in essence -- be in control of the bridge. And the "may" revolves around the devolution of power from DC, to Tallahassee, to Florida counties and municipalities. It's just a guess on my part (I know you love these, Ennis) but one governmental acronym may do the trick: TIFIA.

The President just announced this little nugget I do believe as a key program to implement some of his key infrastructure principles:

Expand the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program. TIFIA helps finance surface transportation projects through direct loans, loan guarantees, and lines of credit. One dollar of TIFIA subsidy leverages roughly $40 in project value. If the amount of TIFIA subsidy was increased to $1 billion annually for 10 years, that could leverage up to $140 billion in credit assistance, and approximately $424 billion in total investment. In addition, the Administration supports the expansion of TIFIA eligibility.

Hmmmm. Sounds like a Public-Private-Partnership (P3) is coming to downtown Jacksonville real soon.

[Tacachale]

[thelakelander]

LMAO!

[RattlerGator]

I'm laughing right with you. And remembering all the laughs about the impossibility of this President getting elected. And the current obsessing about obviously bogus "sources say" Russia, Russia, Russia.

But hey, y'all are the experts.

Density, density, density -- right?

[Jim]

I've finally figured out what covfefe means.



It's Trump's plan to take down the Hart Bridge Expressway.

[vicupstate]

Maybe they could sell chucks of the ramps to pay for the demolition.  It would be like owning a piece of the Berlin Wall. 

[FlaBoy]

Let's get the Laura St. Trio going first, like actual construction that I can see, then we will see if the state will allocate some money to tearing down the expressway. To me, the Berkman will figure itself out down the line. I think figuring out the convention center issue should be first when it comes to city money.

[heights unknown]

I agree whole heartedly FLABOY I agree. Let's get the new downtown residents and tourists going in the "TRIO" and then worry about the Hart Bridge expressway later. Make that FIRST and FOREMOST.