QuoteThe parking structure at the south edge of Springfield could once again be moving toward redevelopment.
Robert Van Winkel of Jacksonville Hospitality Holdings LP is asking the city to rezone the former Park View Inn site at 901 N. Main St. to planned use development, or PUD, in advance of a 4-story, 82-unit multifamily housing development.
A description of the project, in ordinance 2017-484 filed last week, says the project would be accomplished in two phases, with phase one including the housing and a parking garage on about 0.72 acres.
Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/former-park-view-inn-site-takes-redevelopment-step
About damn time.
Given the environmental cleanup needed and associated lawsuit, I don't see progress being made on this site anytime soon.
What's wrong with the environment at that site?
Quote from: jaxjaguar on July 25, 2017, 12:15:22 PM
What's wrong with the environment at that site?
QuoteSince 2012, the site, and properties around it, have been the subject of a pending federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
The city is suing the land owners, including Jacksonville Hospitality Holdings, over the environmental cleanup because there was a manufactured gas plant on the site in the 1800s.
Mickler said development efforts won't move forward until the lawsuit is resolved.
That area around Confederate Park was the site of a coal gasification plant around the turn of the century, and is heavily polluted to this day. The city, not wanting to get into another Shipyards situation, has started going after the owners of polluted areas like this before they become the city's to cleanup. This one has the added twist due to the fact that the current owners didn't pollute the site; the city did a long time ago. Hence the lawsuits.
Quote from: Josh on July 25, 2017, 12:31:42 PM
Quote from: jaxjaguar on July 25, 2017, 12:15:22 PM
What's wrong with the environment at that site?
QuoteSince 2012, the site, and properties around it, have been the subject of a pending federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
The city is suing the land owners, including Jacksonville Hospitality Holdings, over the environmental cleanup because there was a manufactured gas plant on the site in the 1800s.
Mickler said development efforts won't move forward until the lawsuit is resolved.
That area around Confederate Park was the site of a coal gasification plant around the turn of the century, and is heavily polluted to this day. The city, not wanting to get into another Shipyards situation, has started going after the owners of polluted areas like this before they become the city's to cleanup. This one has the added twist due to the fact that the current owners didn't pollute the site; the city did a long time ago. Hence the lawsuits.
If the environmental piece can't be dealt with, I always thought that site could expand Confederate Park (maybe rename too) and make it more visible in downtown. Could help with an overall restoration of the Park.
To expand the park, you'd have to address the environmental issue as well. There's no way around it.
Why doesn't the city pay for the environmental reclamation? Seems like a good way to expand the tax base to me.
Quote from: remc86007 on July 25, 2017, 07:25:13 PM
Why doesn't the city pay for the environmental reclamation? Seems like a good way to expand the tax base to me.
The city hasn't even taken care of the environmental remediation for the shipyards, and that is property they actually own, and its potential property taxes are worth a fortune.
I'm sure the city will come to some kind of settlement to help pay for the cleanup to the property around Comfederate Park. Hopefully before Jacksonville is under water though.