COJ and UF take first major step towards LaVilla campus

[Ken_FSU]

Quorum was broken (by several CMs not showing up, and then one running out once it appeared there'd be quorum after all). So they weren't able to take a vote but they did hold discussion. Disappointing but not surprising. As a result, they'll either have to move the bills at one of the next two scheduled Council meetings (June 10 or June 24j or schedule another committee of the whole and hope enough members show. Sorry, but I can't say much more than that.

Very, very frustrating meeting to watch.

For many reasons.

If NOTHING else gets through to City Council, I hope they listened to bit clarifying that they're not being asked to vote on a redevelopment agreement or a blank check for $20 million. They're simply voting on agreeing to hear out Gateway Jax's proposal in more detail, to vote up or down, in exchange for a discount on the Interline property.

It really is as simple as that.

Patently INSANE that any of them would truly believe that something better is going to magically appear in the next 15 months when we're months away from another RFP on the property.

Just can't help walking away from some of these meetings feeling like either: 1) Either no one takes the time to read anything, or they do, and they just don't understand basic fundamentals of what this vote is, or 2) There's some weird special interest pressuring these people to actively sabotage two great deals (UF & Riverfront Plaza) simultaneously.

[Charles Hunter]

Patently INSANE that any of them would truly believe that something better is going to magically appear in the next 15 months when we're months away from another RFP on the property.

Just can't help walking away from some of these meetings feeling like either: 1) Either no one takes the time to read anything, or they do, and they just don't understand basic fundamentals of what this vote is, or 2) There's some weird special interest pressuring these people to actively sabotage two great deals (UF & Riverfront Plaza) simultaneously.

Both can be true.
The "special interest" seems to be "R" council members, some of whom will run for Mayor vs a "D" Mayor.

[Ken_FSU]

Patently INSANE that any of them would truly believe that something better is going to magically appear in the next 15 months when we're months away from another RFP on the property.

Just can't help walking away from some of these meetings feeling like either: 1) Either no one takes the time to read anything, or they do, and they just don't understand basic fundamentals of what this vote is, or 2) There's some weird special interest pressuring these people to actively sabotage two great deals (UF & Riverfront Plaza) simultaneously.

Both can be true.
The "special interest" seems to be "R" council members, some of whom will run for Mayor vs a "D" Mayor.

This has been readily apparent since the day she took office.

But I just don't understand the angle the R's are going for here.

What's the platform?

"Heroic Republicans shoot down partnering with vested, well-respected developer to prevent Riverfront Plaza from becoming an active, profitable, self-sustaining space?"

Where's the win there for Salem?

It's also such a dangerous gamble, as there is no universe where this space is developed by the next mayoral election, or even permitted, if we punt and RFP it again.

[Charles Hunter]

Sounds like the MAGA Party gameplan - [a] Break Something, [b.] Blame Democrats, [c] Run on being "The Only Ones Who Can Fix It"

I don't think the majority of Jacksonvillians care if downtown development takes place, as long as "their hard-earned tax dollars" aren't spent downtown.

[jaxoNOLE]

It's almost understandable that some Council Members believe they were being asked to approve $20 million in incentives with this vote—especially when both DIA board members speaking in opposition suggested as much. Wohlers even outright claimed the DIA had already voted on the incentives, despite Boyer and board chair Krechowski clearly stating no such vote had occurred.

The argument about the optimal use study feels like a red herring. As Boyer noted, the study was actually prompted by the Cross Regions proposal—not uncertainty about the planned use of the American Lions site. Suggesting that failure to complete a multi-parcel study invalidates the site-specific analysis already done is disingenuous. The site has been studied. It went through a competitive RFP. Criticizing the land swap as "the same [failed] process over and over again"—as board member Cameron Hooper did—ignores the fact that a new RFP and study is literally the same process that was just followed. And as Boyer rightly asked: why re-study a parcel the city already spent millions designing a few years ago?

Meanwhile, Gateway claims to have the project fully underwritten and appears to be further along in due diligence than any hypothetical future RFP recipient would be. Their transparency and professionalism stand in refreshing contrast to the fiasco of the Lot J negotiations.

If the land swap doesn't go through, the likeliest scenario is: a higher-cost outright purchase, a yearlong new study, an RFP for something no better (and possibly worse), and an incentive request that could be larger—and still might not get funded. All while the site sits empty.

CM Miller asserted, "There is nobody on this dais, nobody in the DIA, that I know of, who would allow that to happen." But if that's true, were the Shipyards, Berkman II, Laura Street Trio, and even the Landing left vacant because previous councils and DIAs wanted blight downtown? Of course not. Intent doesn't matter if the process leads to the same delays again and again.

In summary, objecting to this deal on the basis of process boils down to: "We're afraid this might not work and could delay things 15 months. So instead, let's guarantee a delay of at least that long—and pay a premium for it." I have far more respect for the Riverfront Parks Now position than for that kind of circular logic.

P.S.: Two consecutive non-quorums on this issue are inexcusable. Credit to the "no" votes who are at least showing up and engaging in the democratic process. But the unexcused absences from some of the loudest public opponents of the land swap suggest their real priority isn't constructive debate—it's obstruction for its own sake.

[CityLife]

Totally out of the loop, but is it possible that some City Council members are waiting to see what shakes out with the UF Presidential hiring process before taking action? The Florida Board of Governors voted today 10-6 to deny UF's appointment of Ono from University of Michigan.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2025/06/03/florida-board-rejects-ono-uf-job

It appears UF is going to be rudderless and embroiled in turmoil for the near future. Also 5 of their 16 deans are Interim's and they are waiting on the new President to make those hires. This includes Medicine, Engineering, and Law. Hopefully this doesn't hinder their efforts to pull off the Jax campus.

[jaxlongtimer]

The Florida Board of Governors voted today 10-6 to deny UF's appointment of Ono from University of Michigan.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/executive-leadership/2025/06/03/florida-board-rejects-ono-uf-job

Total insanity by right wing MAGA Republicans.  I wasn't thrilled with this choice given his willingness to quickly do a 180 on DEI, etc. to pacify the UF Board.  But, given that he did so, and that still wasn't enough to survive, I have to wonder if there is any competent professional that will have interest in applying to any position in any red state.  Take those people out, and what you are often left with are the loyalist goons we see running our state and federal capitals today.

Just like the Library board in in Jax, the politicization of every position and job, no matter the nature of it, over competency is so dangerous.  Like it or not, DEI has been promoted for decades, both by government policy but also by public acceptance in most corners.  OK, so now it is out of vogue but that means that there are a lot of people walking around that were encouraged to support DEI up until now.  And, this has become the sole litmus test for a job, more so than experience, service to constituents, integrity, etc.?

I suppose if liberals were running the show, they should forever dismiss anyone who ever praised or considered MAGA positions as worthy or who ever voted for a MAGA candidate for any office.  Or, was ever a registered Republican given no one registered as a Democrat is ever appointed by a GOP governor or president in the present age.  This behavior is reminiscent of the model followed by the Communist party in China... If you are not a loyal party member, you go nowhere.  Dissent and free thinking is not allowed.  Party line only.

To add, based on reports, this looks like a setup for a GOP politician to get this job.  Who else could pass the litmus test being used?  Who else would bother to apply after this?  No surprise, DeSantis has been engineering the takeover of State universities for a while.  Next, who will want to go to a State university run as a political operation?  Our best and brightest are likely to look elsewhere.

[Charles Hunter]

Well, there's the possibility of an adminstrator from Hillsdale or Liberty meeting the DuhSatan requirements to take on UF.

[Jones518]

[Jones518]

What a significant milestone!!! UF has secured site control in LaVilla for their graduate campus:

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/dec/19/university-of-florida-says-it-closed-on-downtown-land-for-jacksonville-graduate-campus/


Keep the momentum downtown Jax!!

In the article it says:

" UF plans to adapt the Jacksonville Terminal train station to modern uses, keeping its exterior as-is while renovating the interior for such potential uses as retail and restaurants.

The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center would be demolished to make way for new construction."


Let's hope that it can be restored back to a train station...fingers crossed....

[thelakelander]

^That's always been the plan. UF can't bring rail back but COJ has been working on this.

[Jankelope]

Is there actually a chance they destroy the Prime Osborne? That would be such a shame. I kind of thought the UF Campus would make the rail more likely, not less.

I feel like the rail won't happen because way too many resources going to U2C. We really should have used that $400 million for Emerald Trail, First Coast Commuter Rail, and enticing Brightline.

I also would love to build a "Ruby Trail" and a "Sapphire Trail". I have some big ideas. Ruby Trail could be the beaches. I know that wouldn't be funded the same way since it's technically different city. Sapphire Trail could be town center area and bridge together neighborhoods like Seven Pines, Gate Parkway, St John's Bluff, and Deerwood.

[Steve]

Is there actually a chance they destroy the Prime Osborne? That would be such a shame. I kind of thought the UF Campus would make the rail more likely, not less.

I feel like the rail won't happen because way too many resources going to U2C. We really should have used that $400 million for Emerald Trail, First Coast Commuter Rail, and enticing Brightline.

I also would love to build a "Ruby Trail" and a "Sapphire Trail". I have some big ideas. Ruby Trail could be the beaches. I know that wouldn't be funded the same way since it's technically different city. Sapphire Trail could be town center area and bridge together neighborhoods like Seven Pines, Gate Parkway, St John's Bluff, and Deerwood.

To be clear, they're talking about demolishing the convention center that was built in the 1980's. Not the Historic Train Station. That won't be torn down.

[Jones518]

^That's always been the plan. UF can't bring rail back but COJ has been working on this.

Yes....COJ's work on this is critical, and having a major institutional anchor like UF downtown could help strengthen the long-term case for transit, density, and more investment in Lavilla. Either way, it's encouraging to see real movement after so many years of stagnation.


I just hope the COJ doesn't drop the ball on bringing passenger rail back to the core like it has dropped the ball on other proposals/projects in the past...and can the COJ speed this process up.... Like can passenger rail realistically be brought back downtown within the next 5 years? What does the city need to do to execute this plan? How can the city put this plan into high gear?  The time is NOW! Also, JTA needs to drop U2C like yesterday!

[jcjohnpaint]

I don't see JTA having any involvement