First Baptist Ready To Sell Nine Blocks of Downtown Jax

[Charles Hunter]

You hear the term "catalytic" a lot in terms of big-ticket developments like the Shipyards and the District, but this is the real deal right here.

Nine blocks becoming available, perhaps at once, in the most strategically important corridor in downtown Jacksonville.

I hope First Baptist and JEA are talking, as the JEA tower could be an amazing complimentary redevelopment for whatever happens with FBC.

I wonder if Atkins would be interested in modifying his old JEA plan to include some of the FBC property:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/atkins-wants-more-urban-core-development

I'd agree. This is truly a once in a generational thing that's coming open - 8 blocks in the core of downtown doesn't happen often. While I honestly don't think the mayor is going to be that focused on it (let him play with his Lot J), this could be WAY more impactful.

If done right.

The Mayor not focusing on this may be a good thing for the potential development of these blocks.

[Kiva]

The Mayor not focusing on this may be a good thing for the potential development of these blocks.

Exactly!

[JaGoaT]

My prayers have been answered. We need FBC out of downtown completely but this will do for now

[Kerry]

No one is going to build anything that would require this much parking.

[marcuscnelson]

My prayers have been answered. We need FBC out of downtown completely but this will do for now

Easy, tiger.

No one is going to build anything that would require this much parking.

Never say never, and even if you're right, nothing wrong with having it available. It might mean we can build on some surface lots.

[thelakelander]

No one is going to build anything that would require this much parking.

I believe there are a ton of possibilities worth being explored. Here are a few off the top of my head:



1. JTA plans to sell off the land around Rosa Park skyway station for TOD when the JRTC opens in LaVilla. Such a development could be constructed without building parking on those blocks by acquiring and using an existing FBC garage (like Block #8).

2. In the past, FSCJ has talked about desiring to make the downtown campus more a traditional college campus. They've also discussed acquiring downtown buildings and retrofitting them for the college's use. The dormitory in 20 West Adams is an example. That smaller auditorium and adjacent classroom building (Block #6 on the map) may make some sense for a college program, as opposed to them building a new STEM building. Those garages would also mean that infill development could occur on the surface lots surrounding their existing property.

3. If they close or relocate their academy (Block #3), without a doubt, that block will likely get snatched up by a local college or put to use as a charter school. Whatever the case, they'll need parking which is what (Block #4) could provide.

4. Blocks #10 and #7 are surface lots for the most part. There's also a single story 1990s era warehouse on Block 10. With one of those garages (Block #9 or #8), one could get way with infill on the south side of Beaver and utilize an existing garage for on-site parking.

[jaxlongtimer]

The best use of these blocks would appear to be as a joint use for educational purposes by UNF, JU and/or FSCJ.  UNF and JU could build dorms, rooms for visiting "executive MBA-type" or short term certification programs and classrooms on the vacant land around these properties and/or by re-purposing some of the more conventional buildings.

With an influx of students they could utilize the garages for parking AND add retail to the first floor of the garages leading to the remaking of Beaver Street as a vibrant "college town" pedestrian friendly town-center-style retail arcade.

FSCJ really could use one of the two available auditoriums for a large theater building as all they have for a 50,000+ student body is the paltry 500 seat Wilson theater on the south campus.  That isn't any bigger than many high school auditoriums and they have to use a gym for any larger gatherings.

First Baptist also has a first class (at least at one time) TV/multimedia production facility that would be ideal for in-house and internet-based educational programs.  They also had at one time recital/practice rooms for piano and other musical endeavors that, if still around, could support a very robust performing arts school program.

Some of the vacant blocks could be used as green space for students to enjoy a campus-style gathering/center point.

The colleges, DIA, the City and the State need to waste no time figuring out how to make this into the major urban educational campus everyone says downtown needs to thrive.  Being so far back from the river and adjacent to FSCJ and the Rosa Parks station further enhances its highest and best use for higher education.

With Lot J, the Shipyards, the former City Hall/Courthouse site, Berkman Plaza II, the Landing, JEA's current building, the former Greyhound station, the District and LaVilla, there would appear to be a near glut of better positioned real estate for more conventional development such as offices, residential, nightlife and entertainment.

My 2 cents  !

[heights unknown]

Ten skyscrapers on each block ranging in height from 550 feet to 1,100 feet. Just kidding and playing guys, y'all know I'm a tall and super tall skyscraper fanatic. What I would like to see happen to these city blocks is for them to NOT become green open empty grass fields, parking lots, or undeveloped land that just sits long after we are all pushing up daisies!

[Ken_FSU]

What I would like to see happen to these city blocks is for them to NOT become green open empty grass fields, parking lots, or undeveloped land that just sits long after we are all pushing up daisies!

I'm with you!

Best case scenario is that they sell for immediate reuse.

Worst case scenario is that they sell to an investor on long-term speculation.

[Kerry]

I'm expecting the For Sale sign to be up for a very long time.

[Steve]

I'm expecting the For Sale sign to be up for a very long time.

FBC's for Sale signs? I believe the opposite. Once they are officially listed, I think they'll sell somewhat quickly. FBC is cash hungry; this is the equivalent of the person selling their house because they lost their job.

Now, could they sell it to someone that sits on it? Obviously that could happen.

[vicupstate]

The article in today's T-U seems to suggest the church is not 'cash hungry' or planning to put up For Sale signs tomorrow. I imagine they will save some money immediately by stopping any maintenance anywhere except the block they plan to keep.

There is no guarantee that these parcels flip and immediately see redevelopment.       

[Ken_FSU]

^The Daily Record article makes it sound significantly more urgent, saying the church is in "cardiac arrest" and "bleeding money from its pores."

Made it sound like a sale might happen quickly, as soon as Q4.

jaxdailyrecord.com/article/first-baptist-church-in-cardiac-arrest--to-downsize-its-downtown-campus

[Steve]

The article in today's T-U seems to suggest the church is not 'cash hungry' or planning to put up For Sale signs tomorrow. I imagine they will save some money immediately by stopping any maintenance anywhere except the block they plan to keep.

There is no guarantee that these parcels flip and immediately see redevelopment.       

From what I'm nearing (both from the Daily Record article and from them directly) is that they're already spending money they don't have.

I didn't say they'd be redeveloped immediately, but I think a sale by 2020Q1 is not unlikely.

[Kerry]

For those that think a quick sale and eminent redevelopment is in the cards, what is it about downtown Jax in the last 40 years that gives you this optimism?

From a practical stand point, if you had the money why would you even consider these properties when there is an ample supply of properties with much better locations.  The only frontage on State St (the primary thoroughfare) are 3 parking garages and a giant blank wall, and even if you did put something in you are still located in homeless central.

Finally, I don't think FSCJ would be any more interested in these properties than I am.  They are already sitting on more acres of parking than they are classroom space by a factor of 5, and any student parking here would have to cross both State and Unions streets which would become pedestrian kill zones.

Of course, I could be totally wrong.