Deciphering JEA's Search: What's Best For Downtown?

[Jagsdrew]

And oh, my pick would be the Adams Street location, with about 10 stories of parking garage with 20 to 25 stories or more of office space for employees and other leasing to other businesses.

JEA has expressed their needs and has mentioned that they want their own building. This is for securit purposes first and foremost as well as they would like to own the building or lease to own.

JEA would be reckless if they built a 20+ story building.

[thelakelander]

Yeah, the current 19-story building is more space than they need. I don't believe anyone expected 200,000 square feet of space to add up to +30 stories. At best, you get what Progress Energy constructed in downtown St. Petersburg a decade ago:



If you want height, that's the Adams Street proposal because it's a one-block site in the actual downtown core. At worst, you get a low-rise, suburban office box in the parking lot of TIAA Bank Field.

[thelakelander]

JEA Board Hears From Developers Pitching Proposals For A New Tower

The JEA Board of Directors heard pitches Tuesday from three potential developers for the public utility's planned move into new headquarters.


Chase Properties is proposing an eight story tower near the Kings Avenue Skyway station in San Marco.

The Ryan Companies has submitted proposals for three different towers – of which only one would be built.

The Ryan proposals would result in one of the following being built:

A six story building in the urban core, near the current 55-year-old JEA tower on Adam's Street.
A tower north of the Duval County Courthouse or a tower west of the courthouse.

The third bid from the Cordish Companies - and backed by Jaguars owner Shad Khan - would put JEA at Lot J next to TIAA Bank Field.

Full article: http://news.wjct.org/post/jea-board-hears-developers-pitching-proposals-new-tower

[Steve]

Unless the fix is in, or Cordish gives free rent, there is no logical reason to pick Lot J. I don't love the Kings Ave proposal but I'd be content with it (to be clear, I think it's an awesome proposal for someone not already downtown). Either of the Ryan proposals west of Hemming Park are fat and away the best for downtown (not seeing the economics of any of them).

[Kerry]

If JEA doesn't pick Lot J do the Jags leave Jax?

[Charles Hunter]

Unless the fix is in, or Cordish gives free rent, there is no logical reason to pick Lot J. I don't love the Kings Ave proposal but I'd be content with it (to be clear, I think it's an awesome proposal for someone not already downtown). Either of the Ryan proposals west of Hemming Park are fat and away the best for downtown (not seeing the economics of any of them).

I think it will be quite the opposite, with the City paying for the infrastructure and remediation at Lot J, as they will for any development at Lot J. It will be the most expensive site, by far.

[thelakelander]

Yeah. Whatever is developed at Lot J will be heavily subsidized. Taxpayers are already on the hook for $50 million to remove the Hart Bridge ramps.  I just get the feeling that if JEA goes to Lot J, it's possible that's the only thing that gets built anytime soon. A decade down the road, a new population will be asking what idiot built JEA's service center in the middle of TIAA Bank Field's parking lot.

[marcuscnelson]

If JEA doesn't pick Lot J do the Jags leave Jax?

Is this a hostage situation? Do we need to call a negotiator to stand outside TIAA Bank Field?

[Jagsdrew]

If JEA doesn't pick Lot J do the Jags leave Jax?

I don't think JEA makes or breaks their plans. I think they have courted other companies so I wouldn't be surprised if word gets out about another company potentially filling that space.

[KenFSU]

^Agreed. Cordish and the Jags have been discussing this development for a long time, and it was never predicated specifically on JEA or any other single company. Lamping mentioned today that they are talking to several companies, not just JEA,. I definitely think we see the Jags press forward on the office space, Live! Arena, hotel (likely Live! or Loews branded), and residential regardless of what happens with this RFP. I think we're YEARS from seeing any real action on the Shipyards or Met Park though.

I'm getting the vibe that it's going to come down to Ryan and Lot J. Even though Balanky probably gave the strongest presentation today, I don't think the Southbank has the support from the board to make it a serious contender.

[KenFSU]

If you want height, that's the Adams Street proposal because it's a one-block site in the actual downtown core. At worst, you get a low-rise, suburban office box in the parking lot of TIAA Bank Field.

Town Center Two is actually 10% bigger than the proposed JEA building.

[thelakelander]

I'm kind of shocked after all the visionary talk and renderings over the last five years, the JEA proposal ended being a cheap suburban box at Lot J. That doesn't match the dream that's been sold. It was a tower last year:



Now look at it...



Will the same happen with the other placeholder building sites?

That's some big time value engineering.

[marcuscnelson]

I'm kind of shocked after all the visionary talk and renderings over the last five years, the JEA proposal ended being a cheap suburban box at Lot J. That doesn't match the dream that's been sold. It was a tower last year:

Now look at it...



Will the same happen with the other placeholder building sites?

That's some big time value engineering.

But... look! The top of the parking garage is different now! And there are extra generic placeholder apartments now! Please let us put this generic short box for a utility company next to an entertainment venue that's supposed to anchor an entertainment center!

Jokes aside, geez... at least Silverleaf and Nocatee are honest about actually building more bland suburban sprawl.

[Jagsdrew]

^Agreed. Cordish and the Jags have been discussing this development for a long time, and it was never predicated specifically on JEA or any other single company. Lamping mentioned today that they are talking to several companies, not just JEA,. I definitely think we see the Jags press forward on the office space, Live! Arena, hotel (likely Live! or Loews branded), and residential regardless of what happens with this RFP. I think we're YEARS from seeing any real action on the Shipyards or Met Park though.

I'm getting the vibe that it's going to come down to Ryan and Lot J. Even though Balanky probably gave the strongest presentation today, I don't think the Southbank has the support from the board to make it a serious contender.

Agreed on Balanky as I was impressed with his presentation.  Lamping did say he wants to secure an anchor tenant before building the entertainment portion but like you said, YEARS away.
Question to think about: Would an anchor want to be around all that entertainment but more importantly all the construction mess of new development around their building and the demolition of the Hart Bridge ramps? Feel that it might frustrate employees and especially customers as road and bus routes will be ever changing.

[thelakelander]

^I could see the special event parking and associated detours driving employees and customers crazy. JEA's use isn't one that's compatible with an entertainment district.