Land swap - best deal on the table - Or not....

[MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/16/uf-jacksonville-campus-tour-draws-about-100-developer-reps/


What in the world! Did we rush the land swap deal? Now UF is saying " While accepting responses to its ITN, the university is working on a separate track to renovate the Interline Brands building, where it plans to offer graduate classes beginning in fall 2026."

I thought classes were supposed to start this fall - 2025 in the Interline building?! Hence the rush to get the deal done. Not saying the deal was good or bad either way. Just stating the rush was so that classes can be held there. Now they're saying a year later. Was the building not up to par? Make it make sense. How are they getting away with this?

Phase 1 of the "Riverfront Plaza" old Landing site is scheduled to be done early 2026. Barring any major setbacks, it seems they will actually hit this milestone. Still no phase 2 proposals have been announced as far as building designs or approvals from Gateway that I've heard of. I thought there was a timeline in which the end of phase 1 and park development that it was essential for phase 2 of the building construction that needed to get done because of the added cost it may incur by waiting.

[acme54321]

That fall 2025 thing for the interline building was never realistic and they announced it would be 2026 shortly after the deal was done.

[Ken_FSU]

Still no phase 2 proposals have been announced as far as building designs or approvals from Gateway that I've heard of. I thought there was a timeline in which the end of phase 1 and park development that it was essential for phase 2 of the building construction that needed to get done because of the added cost it may incur by waiting.

From my understanding, Gateway plans to bring designs to the DDRB for approval in Q4, and the incentive package will be vetted and voted on by end of Q2 of next year. Definitely a chance that the public/private project could break ground next year.

[fsu813]

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/sep/16/uf-jacksonville-campus-tour-draws-about-100-developer-reps/

Still no phase 2 proposals have been announced as far as building designs or approvals from Gateway that I've heard of. I thought there was a timeline in which the end of phase 1 and park development that it was essential for phase 2 of the building construction that needed to get done because of the added cost it may incur by waiting.

Some have warned about the timeline issue for years. I don't want to relitigate it, but the essence is:

"If we wait on the next big thing that may never materialize, half of the park will be a dirt construction zone for an indefinite period. Is this what we want for the jewel of our downtown?"

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2024/05/12/no-need-to-delay-or-build-towers-on-jacksonville-riverfront-plaza-site/73593359007/

Water under the bridge. Fingers crossed everything goes on schedule in Q4 and on.

[heights unknown]

That fall 2025 thing for the interline building was never realistic and they announced it would be 2026 shortly after the deal was done.

IMO, the "FALL 2025" goal or benchmark, to me would have been a rush rush. I guess they wanted to make sure that the "Interline Building" was renovated properly and to their specific expectations; for them to go as is or with something "thrown together" would not have sufficed for UF (I guess). Earlier in the year when everyone was talking late 2025 for classes to start in the Interline Building, I thought that was really pushing it and too short of a time to get that building ready in that short amount of time. I think everything is in line and on time so far. Gateway, IMO, is doing a super job in the urban core and downtown; KUDOS and "pat on the back" to them; however, I wish they'd soonest come out with exactly what will soon be going on that parcel on Riverfront Plaza Phase II. (Inquiring and impatient METRO JAX members LOL want to know). I believe, and hope that it won't look like what we've already seen; and I am hoping it won't and it looks much more better, appealing, and fits in more perfectly with the park and waterfront. Lastly, to address "National Champions" concerns relative to constructing a tower on that parcel/site, I see no harm in it as long as it is done right, don't completely block Independent Square, and correctly fits in with the park and the waterfront...and don't ask me how that would be; let the people in city hall who are in power and who make the "big bucks" figure that one out!

[Skybox111]

American lions back then proposed that 44 story tower and was fitting that spot perfectly where it wasn't blocking independent tower and had a restaurant up top that high would had great views and sunset

[heights unknown]

American lions back then proposed that 44 story tower and was fitting that spot perfectly where it wasn't blocking independent tower and had a restaurant up top that high would had great views and sunset

Yeah; I liked that tower; especially because of the "tallnest," LOL. It would have fit in nicely as it had a slender triangular type shape. Gateway may stick with their initial rendering/proposal, but I hope they don't. I hope they come up with something more interesting and a little taller.

[Charles Hunter]

ActionNews had a story tonight. They highlighted concerns some of the Board Members have over the deal. The video had a chart showing various costs, but it isn't in the text report linked here: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/i-dont-love-this-deal-concerns-grow-over-dcps-move-prominence-park/7UQREKWAXZFP3K534DLYODBD2M/

[jaxlongtimer]

This has always been a politically, not financially, driven decision to make taxpayers think more property taxes will be paid overall.  There is no other reason to do this.  It is becoming clearer with more details that this proposal is a net financial loser and not at all living up to the expectations for getting it done.  Time to back down and get back to running our schools.  Nothing wrong with admitting it makes no sense following additional due diligence.

Fleet Landing can build their towers on the adjacent Rivers Edge property and everyone comes out a winner.

[thelakelander]

The superintendent states this is the best deal for DCPS. How so? How does this compare to not doing anything for now and staying put for the time being? Does it make sense to stay and sell off some of the existing property? Or sell off or co-redevelop closed school sites into viable infill, to generate additional income for DCPS?

[Skybox111]

American lions back then proposed that 44 story tower and was fitting that spot perfectly where it wasn't blocking independent tower and had a restaurant up top that high would had great views and sunset

Yeah; I liked that tower; especially because of the "tallnest," LOL. It would have fit in nicely as it had a slender triangular type shape. Gateway may stick with their initial rendering/proposal, but I hope they don't. I hope they come up with something more interesting and a little taller.

yeah i wish they could collaborate gateway with american lions to build that tower even ergisi tower. Sad if we don't get the fleet landing towers built. Nearly 20 years since those three towers were built on the southbank finished in 2007.