According to the Jax Business Journal today, it is. Changed of course.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/print-edition/2012/08/24/developer-says-evolved-laura-street.html
Can't read the full article. Can anyone provide the cliff notes?
Deep breaths. Deeeeeep Breaths. Ok, now i can click the link.
Lake, I am trying to get it.
I wonder if Khan financing it. Im sure he is. I figured they were gonna have to rework it if he was going to finance it.. But we will see what the actual word is.
I had heard about the school thing a few weeks back, but didn't know it was the @ the Trio. Nice! If its the deal I had heard about, it will hopefully lead to additional expansion a well. Also might be a nice political win ;).
looks like I am going to have to wait until my hard copy gets here later. Cant access the article online. I believe this has something to do with the Florida Coastal School of Law.
Quote from: CityLife on August 24, 2012, 01:54:15 PM
I had heard about the school thing a few weeks back, but didn't know it was the @ the Trio. Nice! If its the deal I had heard about, it will hopefully lead to additional expansion a well. Also might be a nice political win ;).
I'm not quite savvy enough to pick up on your hints. Any more you can give out??
Don't sell yourself short Zissou. Maybe I was too cryptic. Political win for someone who needs one and has ties...
I just checked with a friend in admin at Coastal and he says not them.
Stole a hard copy from an office mate! Here's the spark notes:
*The developer says the revised project will be $40 million, after saving $10 million with a smaller parking garage. They hope to take part of the City's historic tax credits (max of $5 million) and $9.9 million in new market tax credits, which are available for low income neighborhoods.
*The project no longer has apartments. The Bisbee and Florida Life buildings would be "boutique hotel" space consisting of about 145 rooms, with retail on the bottom. The Barnett Bank Building would house a "higher education school" (whatever the hell that is) and dorms for the school. The Marble Bank would still be a restaurant.
*The developer is the same as before, Linea LLC, which claims they have a construction loan lined up. Khan's offer of lending aid is also still on the table. Linea want to get all their chips in before they close on the property.
*Notably, the major holdup has been the city. The developer was working effectively with Ron Barton and the JEDC under Mayor Peyton, but Brown's reconstructed agency still isn't in place 13 months into his term. If the city can finally get it together we could know if this project is a go by the end of the year.
*The developer is aware of skepticism about the project, particularly the hotel, but believes this product is different than any current options in NE Florida.
With the DIA in place now, hopefully we can atleast get a handle on this and move it forward.
Quote from: stephendare on August 24, 2012, 02:10:10 PM
partnership with UNF and WJCT similar to their partnership with MOCAJ.
Confirmed?
Doesn't the Northbank already have a glut of hotel space, a la the Hyatt?
Do we really need more?
If so, I stand corrected. I had heard JU was seriously exploring DT, and assumed it was that. Alright Jacksonville colleges. Time to flex your muscles and show us who can open up the best DT branch. Arms race commence.
Wow - that's good stuff....I love MetroJacksonville Fridays....
Why does the city continue to make things difficult???? get out of the way!
Quote from: Doctor_K on August 24, 2012, 02:23:45 PM
Doesn't the Northbank already have a glut of hotel space, a la the Hyatt?
Do we really need more?
We don't really have a trendy, boutique style hotel though. Tallahassee has at least 2 (possibly 3, haven't been in the new one yet). Nor do we have a swanky rooftop bar/terrace. If done right, both would kill it here.
Quote from: Doctor_K on August 24, 2012, 02:23:45 PM
Doesn't the Northbank already have a glut of hotel space, a la the Hyatt?
Do we really need more?
Currently we only have hotels like the Omni (Omni, Hyatt, Wyndham, etc...). Maybe a boutique hotel will serve a new market and add some flavor to the mix. Originally there was a talk of a rooftop bar on the Barnett. I don't imagine that there will be one now due to the educational purpose of the building, but maybe on top of one of the others. The Bohemian in Savannah has a rooftop bar overlooking the river and it is honestly one of the coolest places I have ever been.
I am sad that there are no apartments, but students downtown will be AWESOME. The hotel will hopefully bring some nightlife hungry guests to our urban core. I'm trying to temper my excitement, but this will be a great thing if it gets finalized.
Quote from: stephendare on August 24, 2012, 02:24:19 PM
tacachale may know better on the status though.
I haven't heard anything about any project with UNF. I'll ask around though.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on August 24, 2012, 02:29:54 PM
Quote from: Doctor_K on August 24, 2012, 02:23:45 PM
Doesn't the Northbank already have a glut of hotel space, a la the Hyatt?
Do we really need more?
Currently we only have hotels like the Omni (Omni, Hyatt, Wyndham, etc...). Maybe a boutique hotel will serve a new market and add some flavor to the mix. Originally there was a talk of a rooftop bar on the Barnett. I don't imagine that there will be one now due to the educational purpose of the building, but maybe on top of one of the others. The Bohemian in Savannah has a rooftop bar overlooking the river and it is honestly one of the coolest places I have ever been.
I am sad that there are no apartments, but students downtown will be AWESOME. The hotel will hopefully bring some nightlife hungry guests to our urban core. I'm trying to temper my excitement, but this will be a great thing if it gets finalized.
Now Captain Zissou "The Autograph Collection by Marriott" which the Bohemian in Savannah is part of is a great idea for downtown Jacksonville.
I too wish there was housing involved, but I will take anything. And there are plenty of great buildings around that could be converted to apartments when the time comes.
PLEASE let this happen soon.
Personally I think university dorms are probably even better than apartments. As students rotate in and out of the building you will constantly be introducing new people to DT that might never venture down there.
I agree the bohemian is really cool. What about a rooftop bar on the florida life and bisbee with a skybridge connecting them :o That would be awesome.
QuoteThe Autograph Collection by Marriott
- the Casa Monica in St. Augustine is part of that too - would be a great fit/vibe.
Wow sounds awesome! This is good news. I especially like the sound of a school and the rooftop bar.
Quote from: blizz01 on August 24, 2012, 02:41:09 PM
QuoteThe Autograph Collection by Marriott
- the Casa Monica in St. Augustine is part of that too - would be a great fit/vibe.
Same with Hotel Duval in Tally. They also have locations in Asheville, Orlando, Celebration, Miami, Atlanta, and Nashville (amongst many others).
I don't believe that it will be from the Autograph Collection though.
Rooftop bar centered around the Florida Life Building penthouse, maybe?
I hear RAP is worried about the parking and noise. They want at least one of the Trio buildings torn down for a surface lot and a mandatory lights out at 10:30.
Ok I can't do it just to happy to not stay positive. :)
I have not heard anything from the UNF School of Arts and Science. Actually most of the recent attention at UNF seems to be toward campus. None of my friends from JU have spoke of anything like this. This would be great news. Actually I think have students DT would be the best case scenario. Actually I don't care what would go down there as long as those buildings get fixed.
Yeah and I hope our city leaders stay clear of this project before they screw it up!
+1
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on August 24, 2012, 03:31:02 PM
I have not heard anything from the UNF School of Arts and Science. Actually most of the recent attention at UNF seems to be toward campus. None of my friends from JU have spoke of anything like this. This would be great news. Actually I think have students DT would be the best case scenario. Actually I don't care what would go down there as long as those buildings get fixed.
I asked around, and it sounds like it's not us (UNF). My boss is over Housing so he certainly would have known if we were putting any housing downtown.
Reading the article again it sounds like it's something new; hopefully it's not another for-profit.
I thought I read somewhere about FCSL being interested in downtown student housing.
Quote from: CityLife on August 24, 2012, 02:44:45 PM
Quote from: blizz01 on August 24, 2012, 02:41:09 PM
QuoteThe Autograph Collection by Marriott
- the Casa Monica in St. Augustine is part of that too - would be a great fit/vibe.
Same with Hotel Duval in Tally. They also have locations in Asheville, Orlando, Celebration, Miami, Atlanta, and Nashville (amongst many others).
I don't believe that it will be from the Autograph Collection though.
A boutique hotel as part of an independent collection within a larger flag (Marriott, Hilton, Starwood, Hyatt) will do very well, even in sweatpant wearing Jacksonville. Plus it's only under 150 rooms, which is a tiny hotel, it's a competely different product than currently offered, it's more convenient to more places of business, and it would attract those wanting a night on the town on the weekends or during big events.
Hotels such as proposed with restaurant, swanky bar, etc are hubs of activity. I live across from the W Midtown Atlanta. 440 rooms filled every night of the year with people spilling out onto the streets, parties and celebrities 7 days a week from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM every night. It does a lot more for nightlife and putting people on nearby streets and in nearby restaurants than any of the surrounding condo towers.
Look up the Joule in Dallas. My firm's corporate hotels are sometimes boutique (though large) - Nine Zero in Boston, Essex House in NYC (will become JW Marriott), Gansevoort in NYC, Taj in Boston (int'l collection), Palomar in San Francisco. A good hotel means a lot to business travelers and it means a favorable impression of the city. Plus, the activity in such a hotel might actually give false impressions of the level of activity seen throughout the city, and that would be stellar!
Quotesweatpant wearing Jacksonville
.....Yoga pants. ;)
Great news. I may have to reconsider moving out of downtown next year when my lease is up. This would be a great win for downtown. Having college students living downtown should definitely give a boost to the current nightlife downtown and may give birth to even more nightlife options.
Quote from: fsujax on August 24, 2012, 03:58:13 PM
I thought I read somewhere about FCSL being interested in downtown student housing.
Do you mean FSCJ? Why would FCSL want student housing DT, when they don't have a DT campus or any housing at all?
Quote from: CityLife on August 24, 2012, 05:55:39 PM
Quote from: fsujax on August 24, 2012, 03:58:13 PM
I thought I read somewhere about FCSL being interested in downtown student housing.
Do you mean FSCJ? Why would FCSL want student housing DT, when they don't have a DT campus or any housing at all?
Well that would mean FCSL would have a DT campus with student housing, if its truely them. I know years ago when they first came here they wanted to be downtown, and peyton told them know. So maybe they have their shot now. Who knows
Quote from: duvaldude08 on August 24, 2012, 05:58:15 PM
Quote from: CityLife on August 24, 2012, 05:55:39 PM
Quote from: fsujax on August 24, 2012, 03:58:13 PM
I thought I read somewhere about FCSL being interested in downtown student housing.
Do you mean FSCJ? Why would FCSL want student housing DT, when they don't have a DT campus or any housing at all?
Well that would mean FCSL would have a DT campus with student housing, if its truely them. I know years ago when they first came here they wanted to be downtown, and peyton told them know. So maybe they have their shot now. Who knows
I already said I talked to someone in admin at Coastal and its not them.
I think the article implies it is a school not currently in Jax.
Quote from: Doctor_K on August 24, 2012, 02:23:45 PM
Doesn't the Northbank already have a glut of hotel space, a la the Hyatt?
Do we really need more?
Even so, at least the building would be saved from crumbling (or wrecking ball). I wish whatever project takes over all the best, but if it doesn't work out, at least the building would be up to code.
Shame we can't toss the Bostwick and Annie Lytle into the mix. They'd make nice additions to any school.
Someone just has to remind these developers of their meeting with Metrojacksonville.com, and our talk about a possible streetcar link. The developer is in position to facilitate streetcar development in Jacksonville simply by mentioning and pushing the issue to city hall.