Years ago, Mayor Peyton killed this project. Now a new 700 unit version is back. To alleviate traffic concerns, a few COJ council members and project backers would like to see a Bank of America branch demolished to build an entrance road at the Western Way signal. Since Baymeadows is an FDOT road, they want the state to consider paying for it. FDOT rightfully says no way.
QuoteThe company closed the course and once planned to build 1,400 houses and condominiums, plus retail and office space.
Horton agreed to provide $7.1 million in road and transit improvements to make up for impacts of the new homes and businesses, but former Mayor John Peyton vetoed that deal, saying he wouldn't allow the impact on Baymeadows motorists. Courts later upheld the veto.
The new master plan calls for 697 new homes – single-family houses plus apartments or condominiums. Horton would, again, have to pay something to make up for the project's impact on roads, but that amount hasn't been calculated yet. That cost will be set through a new system, called a mobility fee, which figures the amount differently than in the deal Peyton killed.
QuoteThe fee isn't expected to pay for realigning a road, particularly if that includes razing a bank, and no one has stepped up to cover the as-yet-unspecified cost.
"You're not going to eliminate all traffic congestion, but you're certainly going to make it better," James Bennett, an engineer with Florida's Department of Transportation, told council members.
Project backers pointed out that Baymeadows is a state road, but Bennett pushed back any suggestion his agency should help finance the work.
"We're not buying it. This is not our initiative, it's not our priority," he said. " ... It's the city's and the developer's."
full article: http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-03-17/story/new-push-redevelop-baymeadows-golf-course-suggests-razing-bank
I would rather have the golf course rebuilt.
Since Paul Harden is involved, good luck stopping it.
The people running DR Horton aren't dummies. They know who to bring on board to get a project through. Personally, I'm not opposed to them doing something. IF designed right, it could be a big boost for Baymeadows.
I think Baymeadows is ready for this project now. This part of Baymeadows is well pass its hey day and traffic has not been much of an issue since BCBS and Citi moved out. I worked out there from 2001-2006 and it was a night mare back then. I moved on Prince Sq Blvd from 2010-2012 and traffic was a breeze compared to what it used to be.
I am surprised that the article implies that the city or state should push Bank of America to relocate. If doing so is critical to the success of the project then DR Horton should be the ones working a land swap or something with BofA, not leaning on the government to do that dirty work for them. What am I missing?
Quote from: YellowBluffRoad on March 18, 2014, 11:21:40 AM
I am surprised that the article implies that the city or state should push Bank of America to relocate. If doing so is critical to the success of the project then DR Horton should be the ones working a land swap or something with BofA, not leaning on the government to do that dirty work for them. What am I missing?
Yeah that was a little shocking. If the developer wants them to move, pay for it. Dont try to get another agency to do the dirty work. That part of it is a mess indeed
Yeah, a publicly funded state agency shouldn't be covering the costs to help DR Horton make money. That needs to be a conversation and an agreement between them and BOA. I can't imagine BOA would object to having a newer building in the middle of a major new development if DR Horton builds it for them.