Barnett/Laura Trio Redevelopment to be announced

[duvaldude08]

Conceptual approval was granted at DDRB today. After the presentation, which lasted about two hours, board members had glowing comments about the plans in general.

This is GREAT news!! ugh couldnt be happier at the moment

[newzgrrl]

It still has a long way to go, but board members were quite complimentary and enthused. One particular member remarked that July would be a perfect time to break ground.

A few people asked "What would Henry Klutho do if his building use changed?"

I liked that they are making the Florida Life the "centerpiece of Laura Street," as they called it, and keeping the centerpiece as the tallest building on the Trio side. Plans include replacing the glass canopy out front, as well as the cornices at the top.

As for the Barnett, they talked about moving the entrance to Laura Street to give visitors the "arrival experience" of seeing the Landing and the river and a redeveloped Laura Street. They also talked about possibly building a sky lounge at the top of the building. Board members saw that as being the hottest spot in town, without a doubt.

[heights unknown]

That was a pretty unremarkable announcement.  Weren't they in talks with banks when this whole thing was announced??

It probably takes longer now than it did before the economic downturn; credit crunch is still in effect until further notice...a lot of developers, contractors, etc. are still having a hard time acquiring credit.

"HU"

[heights unknown]

It still has a long way to go, but board members were quite complimentary and enthused. One particular member remarked that July would be a perfect time to break ground.

A few people asked "What would Henry Klutho do if his building use changed?"

I liked that they are making the Florida Life the "centerpiece of Laura Street," as they called it, and keeping the centerpiece as the tallest building on the Trio side. Plans include replacing the glass canopy out front, as well as the cornices at the top.

As for the Barnett, they talked about moving the entrance to Laura Street to give visitors the "arrival experience" of seeing the Landing and the river and a redeveloped Laura Street. They also talked about possibly building a sky lounge at the top of the building. Board members saw that as being the hottest spot in town, without a doubt.

Sounds good to me. Let's get this meal cooking!

"HU"

[duvaldude08]

It still has a long way to go, but board members were quite complimentary and enthused. One particular member remarked that July would be a perfect time to break ground.

A few people asked "What would Henry Klutho do if his building use changed?"

I liked that they are making the Florida Life the "centerpiece of Laura Street," as they called it, and keeping the centerpiece as the tallest building on the Trio side. Plans include replacing the glass canopy out front, as well as the cornices at the top.

As for the Barnett, they talked about moving the entrance to Laura Street to give visitors the "arrival experience" of seeing the Landing and the river and a redeveloped Laura Street. They also talked about possibly building a sky lounge at the top of the building. Board members saw that as being the hottest spot in town, without a doubt.

Ah man July thats a long time.

[Captain Zissou]

They also talked about possibly building a sky lounge at the top of the building. Board members saw that as being the hottest spot in town, without a doubt.

Since Don Redman is the ultimate authority on Jacksonville nightlife....  Just approve the thing and leave the nightlife to the experts.

[downtownjag]

Dear Lord, all I want for Christmas, besides a Jag's superbowl win.......

[duvaldude08]

July is a long way off, but I like the fact they are taking their time and doing things right. If we get more smaller scale projects like this downtown, it would be beneficial.

[billy]

A July '11 groundbreaking would be impressive in this market.

[newzgrrl]

One particular DDRB member who happens to be running for mayor liked the idea of a July groundbreaking. The Trio folks estimated fall 2011.

Don Redman wasn't at the meeting.

[CS Foltz]

Gee..........I wonder why? Is not he part of the DVI Board? They and JEDC has something in mind! Hopefully it is just not a pipe dream!

[Coolyfett]

Cool I like how it looks.

[rainfrog]

A few people asked "What would Henry Klutho do if his building use changed?"

Were they trying to make a point that he'd NOT like to see the use changed? I would think he would be more appalled at seeing them abandoned, neglected, crumbling, collapsing, and demolished.

[urbaknight]

I hope that from now to next July, the city doesn't renege or screw up the plan as they are the best at dropping the ball on some great projects. Remember the proposed landing improvements for the landing back in 03? Or let's go further back, this one really pissed me off, the USS Saratoga museum? What happened to that? Why couldn't the city keep it's own ship? I just hope whatever money is put aside now, doesn't get stolen by the city to be wasted on more road projects or Met Park UN improvements! Keep the funds in the bank and DO NOT touch it until it's time to break ground!

[blizz01]

Laura Street Trio Developers Plead for $5M in Tax Credits

The developers of the Laura Street Trio in Downtown Jacksonville say they are approved for a construction loan and permanent financing through a private equity group, but the project won’t move forward without $5 million in tax credits.
Steve Atkins of The Atkins Group made a presentation to Mayor-elect Alvin Brown’s Downtown revitalization committee Tuesday morning on the state of the project, which includes the Florida Life Building, the Bisbee Building and the Marble Bank Building as well as the Barnett Bank Building.
Atkins is managing principal of Linea LLC, which presented the $70 million redevelopment project in May 2010.
He said the buildings are under contract to be purchased from their Chicago owner, and he expects to close in 60 days. He declined to comment on the purchase price.
“The buildings are in shell condition,” Atkins told the committee. “There’s water intrusion and they’re deteriorating rapidly.”
Linea has outlined Phase I of the project, which is the historic preservation of the buildings’ exteriors, at a cost of about $5.1 million. Atkins said he is seeking historic tax credits and new market tax credits for the project.
He said the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission  Jacksonville Economic Development Commission
Follow this company has approved those credits and that “legislation has been drafted,” though he didn’t know when it would appear before the City Council.
JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton and a city spokeswoman did not immediately return calls for comment.
“It’s all performance-based,” Atkins said. “We would receive the credits after the work is completed and approved by the National Trust for Historic Preservation  National Trust for Historic Preservation

From The Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/06/21/laura-street-trio-developers-plead.html