Peyton Suggests Ball Fields for JEA Site

[buckethead]

In hindsight, it might be that it would only have served to undermine hopes for renewal. There are still quite a few residential units still unoccupied in that area.

Had it opened prior to 05, then it could have been a big plus, but opening after might have proved to be a financial disaster for investors.

[JeffreyS]

That project I believe started development in 2000 but the school board dragged it's feet and after five years the developer left.
I feel if we could have hit a residentail tipping point before the bottom fell out of the real estate boom we could have had a population explosion downtown. We might even be at that "magic" 10,000 resident number.

[buckethead]

That project I believe started development in 2000 but the school board dragged it's feet and after five years the developer left.
I feel if we could have hit a residentail tipping point before the bottom fell out of the real estate boom we could have had a population explosion downtown. We might even be at that "magic" 10,000 resident number.

I gotcha. Having commenced prior to the burst, many units might have sold resulting in quite a different picture there right now.

[vicupstate]

Although the School Board should have been more receptive to working this out, I don't think they killed it.  There were far more plans than proven market, even before things tanked.

Projects that were further along would have needed to begin construction before any of the towers in San marco Village would have broke ground, IMO.  All that gets proposed does not get built. 

That said though, had the SB acted quicker, the property transfer might have taken place and at least the property would be back on the tax rolls, and JEA would have the cash out of the site. The Schools as well as the city could use that tax money. 

I don't think this project was even in someone's mind in 2000.  If so, it was a well-kept secret.   

[JeffreyS]

I don't think this project was even in someone's mind in 2000.  If so, it was a well-kept secret

Vic, I went back to reread the article I posted and I guess I saw the 2000 condos and misread that for the year. I can't figure how else I got the 2000 figure in my head.  So maybe I owe the school board an apology.