Barnett/Laura Trio Redevelopment to be announced

[newzgrrl]

Found out from Jerry Spinks that Bob Broward apparently has the original molds of Klutho's Cornices from the Florida Life Building, to the replacements may actually be cast from the original, and perfectly replicated.

Can this day get any better?

And I spent the midday at an open house far away from Downtown. This whole thread (9 pages!) makes me want to weep with joy! This day would be improved only if I had attended the press conference.

As a side note, Id hate to be any mayor, trying to explain to Emily Lisska why it was ok to use historic preservation funds to build a parking lot.  It seems like the kind of thing that Mussolini would have needed xanax to attempt.

Hilarious!

[Captain Zissou]

And Yes!, the cornices will be completely restored!

The cornices in the illustration are beautiful.

Recently I came up with the ideal location for my future dream apartment: the top of the Florida Life building. It could be a reality!

Will this be the topic at tonight's Three Layers meeting? I may change my plans to be there.

More importantly, will you guys have the renderings at the meeting tonight?? I can't stay, but I'm definitely going to stop by if you have them.

[reednavy]

WJXT has put up a slide show.

http://www.news4jax.com/slideshow/news/23670563/detail.html

[civil42806]

So how much is this plan going to cost the City?  Can't imagine private investors ponying up the all the money  in this economy?

[fieldafm]

Wow, Im away for half a day and look what happens.

I drove by the Laura Trio and the Barnett building today just b/c of this announcement.  From the sounds of this, it is a REALLY ambitious project.  I'm curious as more details unfold.  Sounds like they are not fully funded yet from Stephen's comments... which makes sense that this announcement was made before a purchase has gone through.

Atkinson Knight had the trio and the Barnett buildings listed at a combined $10m pricetag.  I could see anywhere from 8-9m to be a realistic number in this case(for comparison the Jacksonville Bank Building across the street lists at 8.5million).

As Zissou said, Shula's 347 is already at the new Sheraton in Southside.  Shula's 347 is of course the steakhouse franchise of former Miami Dolphin head coach Don Shula(347 stands for the number of wins he had, the winningest head coach in NFL history).  BTW, Shula's is all over halfoffdepot and restaurant.com for those that want to give it a try .  If you like good honest prime meat... they fit the bill.  347 is one of five of Shula's franchise concepts... geared more towards the business traveler/cocktail crowd and always located in a hotel.  I very much doubt there would be a second one in town b/c they do have defined territory agreements, and the Florida National Bank building has more square feet than typical Shula franchises.

For those that haven't been to the Duval Hotel(or Hotel Duval, whatever ) in Tally... its really cool.  They have a touch screen concierge service in the rooms(order room service, check out recommended local establishments, and you can even use the touch screen thingamadevice to have your car ready for valet pickup).  It was fairly 'green' when renovated.  You can choose what color room you want(they literally ask you what color you want... like a room painted orange, red, yellow, etc).  And of course as mentioned previously a really cool rooftop bar/deck.

I'm intrigued, excited and optimistic mainly b/c the Capital City group has the expertise to pull off such an endeavour... but still VERY curious to see more details as they unfold.

[vicupstate]

Instead of the 'Bank Hotel', I would call it the Barnett Hotel.  That makes it more historically unique and authentic, IMO. Likewise, instead of 'Bank SteakHouse', why not 'Marble Steak House'.

This is great news of course, but I have learned not to get my hopes up.

[sheclown]

A very exciting day for downtown, that's for certain.

[brainstormer]

^ excellent ideas for suggested names.  I think this is a very exciting announcement, and I hope the developers are aware of the support for this project.  These plans seem more realistic than others from the past.  It isn't just some 50 story condo tower.  It utilizes historical buildings and is diverse in nature.  I can't just cast a development like this aside because I already frequent the area and used to live in the Carling.  Perhaps they can make a place large enough for Chew.  It would be great to keep the restaurant in that area.  If these plans actually come to fruition, then maybe 20 West will be revived as well.  I have hope!

[02roadking]

how about somewhere in the complex....
http://www.bowlluckystrike.com/home

[ProjectMaximus]

Stephen, is there any relation to Claudia and Mary L'engle from Friday Musicale? I've always wondered if the founder of FM was related to the author of my favorite books as a child...and now that you say she's connected to Barnett, i think it's a legitimate possibility.

[heights unknown]

This is all so good.  Great news and it seems it will all come to fruition, and the planning initiatives seem to be intact, in place, orderly, and for real.  I think the financial aspect relative to this project coming to fruition will happen, and there will be no road blocks.  Great job Stephen; thanks for all of the hard work and super info in keeping us informed of the news break about this new project.

"HU"

[Jim]

Things like this almost make me believe a God exists.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Dont head to chruch yet, remember all the big plans in 2006. How many of those got completed?

[Jim]

Dont head to chruch yet, remember all the big plans in 2006. How many of those got completed?

2006 plans and completed are an oxymoron.

Hence I remain theologically skeptical.

[thelakelander]

Signet wanted something like $18 million in loans and grants when they proposed renovating these structures in 2003.  Vestcor got something like $19 million for 11 East.  Did the development group ever reveal how much money, in terms of public incentives that they'll need to pull this off?