(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JEA-Headquarters-Ryan-Companies/i-frnz2L4/0/3535cddb/L/NewJEArendering-L.jpg)
Quote
In preparation for the new JEA headquarters at 300 West Adams Street, Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies has submitted conceptual design plans to Jacksonville's Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB). Ryan Companies plans to break ground on the nine-story as early as the first quarter of 2020, with a fourth quarter 2020 completion data anticipated. Here is a look at the presentation prepared for the DDRB's September 19, 2019 meeting.
Read more: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/a-look-at-jeas-plans-for-downtown/
They plan to break ground have be completed in 2020? Sporty.
Completion 2021. Sorry about that. Typo fixed.
I like the design, but Julia and Adams is going to be fronted by garages on 3 of its 4 corners... and another huge garage just a block west. I think if they turned this 90 degrees it would be a drastic improvement for the Adams Street front over the current blueprint. The garage entirely facing Monroe makes more sense, as that section of Monroe is already dead space with virtually 0 vehicle/foot traffic.(https://i.imgur.com/IDpnS27.jpg)
Where is the retail in this plan?
I like the look of the building (it has grown on me...didn't like it initially); however, for a city of 900,000 inhabitants, this type building is more suited for Daytona, St. Augustine, Gainesville, or Pensacola; but hey, we don't get much office new construction in downtown Jax, so I'll take it! Don't say the word "retail" too loud, the project might get cancelled.
Retail won't be cold shell, but rather built out and filled day one, per Ryan.
Priority will be on retail uses that employees can leverage, such as a gym or a credit union.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on September 20, 2019, 09:32:30 PM
Retail won't be cold shell, but rather built out and filled day one, per Ryan.
Priority will be on retail uses that employees can leverage, such as a gym or a credit union.
That makes me feel a little better. But....on Adams it could create more of a synergy with other retail. On the other hand, retail that is filled on Julia could create foot traffic and help cultivate a good environment.
If interested in developing retail corridors that span multiple continuous blocks through downtown, it's Adams or bust for the retail component. Now they do at least hit the corner but the rest of the block will be dead at night and on weekends.
JEA has asked to extend the deadline for backing out of the new HQ by another month while they review bids for purchase.
Hmm I wonder what's the plan? Accept moving forward with a bid or have the project cancelled and lay off a bunch of people?
Is JEA playing chicken with the people of Jacksonville? I don't think for a minute that JEA's ego will allow them to not build the new HQ.
I don't think the larger community will care if they cancel that office building. Many are actively questioning if they should be doing it anyway, considering their push to sell. The layoffs will be the story.
I thought the deadline had already passed to drop from the deal. The developer has already closed on the land.
Quote from: vicupstate on September 23, 2019, 05:18:01 PM
I thought the deadline had already passed to drop from the deal. The developer has already closed on the land.
Apparently, the City negotiated that they could buy back the property if ground isn't broken by 12/31/19 so Ryan is covered there. But, I would imagine Ryan would want compensation for incurred development expenses which I would think would easily be well into 6 figures at this point. This project is just another pawn in Zahn/Curry's zest to sell JEA no matter the consequences. Interestingly, the new deadline is 10/23 and the board doesn't see any sale proposals until 10/22. So they have less than 24 hours to essentially conclude they are going to sell JEA supporting, again, this appears to be a foregone conclusion.
QuoteThe City Council, which also approved the $2.6 million sale of the West Adams Street property to Ryan that same day, included a similar exit clause. Ordinance 2019-401 allows the city to repurchase the property if the developer does not break ground by Dec. 31.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/ryan-extends-deadline-for-jea-to-opt-out-of-new-headquarters (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/ryan-extends-deadline-for-jea-to-opt-out-of-new-headquarters)
Does the $2.2 Billion in debt include the Pension or just the usual stuff bonds pay for like parks and infrastructure?
I'm a little confused on why they would sink money into a building its they are things in thinking about selling jea.
Quote from: scbennett67@gmail.com on October 24, 2019, 07:36:10 AM
I'm a little confused on why they would sink money into a building its they are things in thinking about selling jea.
Who knows what they are thinking, but I read somewhere that continuing on the lease was part of the sale.
Design of new JEA headquarters gets a closer look from DDRB
(https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/sites/default/files/styles/sliders_and_planned_story_image_870x580/public/265040_standard.jpeg?itok=srlQPxw6)
(https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/sites/default/files/265039_standard.jpeg)
(https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/sites/default/files/265042_standard.jpeg)
Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/design-of-new-jea-headquarters-gets-a-closer-look-from-ddrb
^That'll make a real nice HQ for 3 years until FPL relocates merges it to Juno Beach.
Quote from: scbennett67@gmail.com on October 24, 2019, 07:36:10 AM
I'm a little confused on why they would sink money into a building its they are things in thinking about selling jea.
JEA will only be leasing the building.
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 10:07:43 AM
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
Oh yeah it can. It'll be more about the year or so of constant ads pushing the sale, not to mention continued obfuscation about what'll really happen. So far, the ads have suggested they're willing to spend a lot of money to push this through. They don't appear to know what they're doing right now, but they're just getting started.
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 10:07:43 AM
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
It's $350 per utility service, so most customers will actually get $1050 (electricity, water, sewer), with irrigation customers getting even more, which is probably more than enough for them to sell their future down the river.
Plus, you're assuming this actually ever goes to a voter referendum. If the powers-that-be don't think the PR push has moved the needle enough by next year, expect all those lawyers to find a new definition of the word "shall" just like what happened to the school board.
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 10:07:43 AM
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
Oh, I am sure we will see those promises in the referendum campaign. They won't have any intention of living up to them, and will probably make sure the ads and speeches have enough weasel words so they won't be outright "lying." I mean Curry and Company would NEVER lie, would he?
Quote from: Tacachale on October 25, 2019, 10:14:44 AM
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 10:07:43 AM
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
Oh yeah it can. It'll be more about the year or so of constant ads pushing the sale, not to mention continued obfuscation about what'll really happen. So far, the ads have suggested they're willing to spend a lot of money to push this through. They don't appear to know what they're doing right now, but they're just getting started.
Has UNF done any polling specific to JEA, do you know?
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 12:38:03 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on October 25, 2019, 10:14:44 AM
Quote from: KenFSU on October 25, 2019, 10:07:43 AM
Just curious, do we see a universe where Jacksonville citizens would actually vote in favor of selling JEA?
Is a $400 utility credit and an early payoff of the Better Jacksonville Plan (with no sales tax impact because of the pension plan hike) enough to win a popular vote?
The mayor hasn't even made any grand promises about using the proceeds to help disadvantaged neighborhoods, or rebuild our schools and infrastructure, or invest in mass transit. Just put it in a lockbox and pad our annual budget from the interest.
This can't actually pass, can it?
Oh yeah it can. It'll be more about the year or so of constant ads pushing the sale, not to mention continued obfuscation about what'll really happen. So far, the ads have suggested they're willing to spend a lot of money to push this through. They don't appear to know what they're doing right now, but they're just getting started.
Has UNF done any polling specific to JEA, do you know?
Yes, polls show a wide majority against the sale. But again, that's before the media blitz.
JEA Headquarters project is up for final DDRB approval tomorrow. Here's a look at the ground floor plan. In addition to the garage retail, there's also space for a deli/coffee shop at Adams and Pearl. Overall, the Ryan concept appears to be a niche above what we commonly see being proposed in downtown.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JEA-Headquarters-Final-DDRB-Approval/i-jCwFT7f/0/79eb8f98/X3/20191212_DDRB%20AGENDA%20PACKET_Page_174-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JEA-Headquarters-Final-DDRB-Approval/i-xw5mxZ9/0/b05e5e71/X3/20191212_DDRB%20AGENDA%20PACKET_Page_168-X3.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/JEA-Headquarters-Final-DDRB-Approval/i-Kv5Jzmp/0/c0de94b2/X3/20191212_DDRB%20AGENDA%20PACKET_Page_181-X3.jpg)
^Nice to see some good news from JEA!
JEA will begin moving into their new building starting this December, continuing into 2023. They also plan to sell their old headquarters.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/stowe-jea-to-start-move-to-new-downtown-hq-in-december