Anyone have an update on this? There is now a construction fence around the entire perimeter (around the Zaxby's) of this property and the adjacent closed 5/3 Bank building. I assume the bank property has been acquired to increase the development potential of the Kmart property.
Are they demolishing both buildings? Is a big box store (Home Depot?) a candidate? Or, another apartment complex? Last thing Mandarin needs is another strip center. Lots of vacant storefronts in the existing ones.
Initial plans were a SunRay movie theater but that was pre-Covid and those obviously fell through. Hearing shopping center split into anchor tenant plus smaller shops. But also heard multi-family so I don't know what's the truth just a lot of rumors since I live around that area.
I think the fence was put in place bc of the whole car gangs that arose a month ago. They were burning out in that parking and along the intersections of San Jose.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on June 02, 2022, 03:10:01 PM
I think the fence was put in place bc of the whole car gangs that arose a month ago. They were burning out in that parking and along the intersections of San Jose.
Has to be more than that. There are signs from Balfour Beatty Construction about safety protocols and hard hat signs. Wouldn't need that for Car Clubs!
Quote from: Steve on June 02, 2022, 04:44:28 PM
Quote from: Jagsdrew on June 02, 2022, 03:10:01 PM
I think the fence was put in place bc of the whole car gangs that arose a month ago. They were burning out in that parking and along the intersections of San Jose.
Has to be more than that. There are signs from Balfour Beatty Construction about safety protocols and hard hat signs. Wouldn't need that for Car Clubs!
Depends on the stunts these cars clubs are doing! ;D ;D
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on June 02, 2022, 02:38:30 PM
Anyone have an update on this? There is now a construction fence around the entire perimeter (around the Zaxby's) of this property and the adjacent closed 5/3 Bank building. I assume the bank property has been acquired to increase the development potential of the Kmart property.
Are they demolishing both buildings? Is a big box store (Home Depot?) a candidate? Or, another apartment complex? Last thing Mandarin needs is another strip center. Lots of vacant storefronts in the existing ones.
I just saw where Ash Properties, the owner of the Kmart and adjacent property says they put up the fencing to keep vagrants off the property. At this time, they say they have no active prospects for developing it. Must be asking a hefty price. The saga continues....
The Home Depot may rise in Mandarin
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2023/may/01/the-home-depot-may-rise-in-mandarin/
I guess that's something. Little disappointing, seems like a site you could do a lot with.
Lots of potential but this is probably the most realistic expectation.
Anything with mixed-use or an ounce of creativity would take 10 more years.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on May 01, 2023, 09:05:58 AM
Lots of potential but this is probably the most realistic expectation.
Anything with mixed-use or an ounce of creativity would take 10 more years.
Extremely accurate lol.
Quote from: Jax_Developer on May 01, 2023, 09:32:42 AM
Quote from: Jagsdrew on May 01, 2023, 09:05:58 AM
Lots of potential but this is probably the most realistic expectation.
Anything with mixed-use or an ounce of creativity would take 10 more years.
Extremely accurate lol.
This could've been a really cool development to establish the area as a focal point, especially with two major roads coming together (San Jose and Old St Augustine). I always pictured something similar to Tapestry Park.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on June 02, 2022, 02:38:30 PM
Anyone have an update on this? There is now a construction fence around the entire perimeter (around the Zaxby's) of this property and the adjacent closed 5/3 Bank building. I assume the bank property has been acquired to increase the development potential of the Kmart property.
Are they demolishing both buildings? Is a big box store (Home Depot?) a candidate? Or, another apartment complex? Last thing Mandarin needs is another strip center. Lots of vacant storefronts in the existing ones.
As per above, I have long speculated that this site is ripe for Home Depot. There is no HD within a reasonable range of Mandarin, the closest being a poorly accessible store on Southside Blvd. and not a very big one at that. Meanwhile, Lowes has two stores serving Mandarin, at Baymeadows & Philips Highway and at I-295 and St. Augustine Road. That tells you all you need to know about what HD has been missing out on.
Too add, this HD will draw people from the Southbank, San Marco, Miramar, Lakewood and over to Phillips Highway via Baymeadows and Sunbeam Roads. Plus all the St. Johns County traffic that passes by on the way to and from Downtown. It may even pull from nearby I-295 given there are no HD's along that route in that quadrant of the City.
Not only is the Kmart the last reasonably available site in Mandarin to host a HD, but it is at the prime junction of San Jose and St. Augustine Road, the major arteries serving the heart of Mandarin.
The only question is why HD waited so long to pursue this spot ;D.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 01, 2023, 10:56:13 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on June 02, 2022, 02:38:30 PM
Anyone have an update on this? There is now a construction fence around the entire perimeter (around the Zaxby's) of this property and the adjacent closed 5/3 Bank building. I assume the bank property has been acquired to increase the development potential of the Kmart property.
Are they demolishing both buildings? Is a big box store (Home Depot?) a candidate? Or, another apartment complex? Last thing Mandarin needs is another strip center. Lots of vacant storefronts in the existing ones.
The only question is why HD waited so long to pursue this spot ;D.
Probably because they were burned by the one they were going to open at University and 95. LOL. That one has been in the works since at least 2007 or so, if memory serves me correct.
Quote from: Houseboat Mike on May 04, 2023, 01:53:59 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 01, 2023, 10:56:13 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on June 02, 2022, 02:38:30 PM
Anyone have an update on this? There is now a construction fence around the entire perimeter (around the Zaxby's) of this property and the adjacent closed 5/3 Bank building. I assume the bank property has been acquired to increase the development potential of the Kmart property.
Are they demolishing both buildings? Is a big box store (Home Depot?) a candidate? Or, another apartment complex? Last thing Mandarin needs is another strip center. Lots of vacant storefronts in the existing ones.
The only question is why HD waited so long to pursue this spot ;D.
Probably because they were burned by the one they were going to open at University and 95. LOL. That one has been in the works since at least 2007 or so, if memory serves me correct.
That has not been "in the works" for years. I am familiar with the Univ. & I-95 site as it was offered to a group of investors when HD long ago walked away from it. Per the tax rolls, RaceTrac bought about 25% of it and there is already a gas station there. The other 75% is now owned by FDOT.
Someone spent millions buying out the hotels/restaurants on that site and I recall HD buying the assembled site for about $10 million. But, I heard HD didn't do their homework and ultimately realized they couldn't get bi-directional access directly from Univ. Blvd. due to the proximity to the I-95 interchange (and, thus, why FDOT probably also bought the land portion adjoining I-95. It looks like they may be planning a future southbound on-ramp for Univ. Blvd. instead of having to go to Bowden Rd.). After HD backed off, the land, at the time, was being offered for far less than HD paid for it.
So, I wouldn't lay that "burn" on the marketplace but rather incompetent real estate actors on behalf of HD.
Thanks for the clarification on that Jax.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/16/business/home-depot-shoppers-pulling-back/index.html
QuoteThe retailer posted disappointing sales for its first quarter and lowered its outlook for the year after customers slowed their spending on home improvement projects. Home Depot (HD) said sales fell 4.5% at stores open at least a year during its latest quarter, and its income decreased 6.4% from the same stretch a year ago.
Hopefully they're hitting the brakes on capex due to the reduced outlook. I get the business case for opening a location here, but I'd really rather see this site become something else.
^ I wouldn't count on it. I doubt they budget capex/new stores based on quarterly ups and downs. More likely, they are more dependent on longer trends.
In the case of Mandarin, it may also be more of tapping a whole new market currently owned by Lowes so sales there could be additive if the location is appropriate. Unless online sales take up a bigger portion, the way a company like HD grows is more dollar sales per existing stores plus more stores.
A decline in sales dollars can also be misleading as it may represent price deflation, not lower unit volumes, as this quote infers for some of the decline:
QuoteDecker said a few key factors drove sales lower. "Our sales for the quarter were below our expectations, primarily driven by lumber deflation and unfavorable weather, particularly in our Western division as extreme weather in California disproportionately impacted our results."
Heard an updated rumor today that Home Depot has signed an agreement for the Mandarin Kmart property. Anyone have verification of same?
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on January 15, 2024, 05:03:31 PM
Heard an updated rumor today that Home Depot has signed an agreement for the Mandarin Kmart property. Anyone have verification of same?
They have longed been rumored to be the replacement tenant for this property. I have not heard anything recently though.
The plans are now under civil site review. You had a good hunch Jax! Was surprised to see this in intake all of a sudden.
Quote from: Jax_Developer on January 17, 2024, 08:58:43 PM
The plans are now under civil site review. You had a good hunch Jax! Was surprised to see this in intake all of a sudden.
Thanks, JD. I predicted this years ago even before I started this thread 18 months ago with HD as my lead candidate. To me, it was so obvious that I can't imagine what took HD so long. Maybe delayed by COVID years. Looking forward to the grand opening :D.
Home Depot in permitting for the Mandarin Kmart site.... bet they wish they had the Zaxby's site back as this looks to be a little bit tight. Ash also owns the former bank property at the southeast corner of the property and wonder if it would have made sense to include that in this plan. Maybe they option that if it is needed later.
QuoteOwner wants to rezone closed Kmart property in Mandarin for Home Depot
Ash Properties is preparing the site at San Jose Boulevard and Old St. Augustine Road for the home improvement company.
Property ownership applied to rezone the closed Kmart property in Mandarin to develop a Home Depot store.
The property is at 9600 San Jose Blvd. west of the intersection with Old St. Augustine Road.
KJS Law of Ponte Vedra Beach is the applicant for property owner Onoudidnt Inc., which is affiliated with Ash Properties.
Ash Properties wants to rezone the 11.6-acre property from Commercial Community/General-1 to Planned Unit Development....
.....As the project developer, Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. proposes demolishing the closed 105,737-square-foot Kmart and construction of a 106,208-square-foot Home Depot with a 25,225-square-foot garden center and the outdoor uses.
Including vestibules, the total project will be 133,123 square feet.
Greenberg Farrow of Atlanta is listed as the project engineer.
The site will include at least 380 parking spaces, including ADA-accessible spaces.
The Home Depot applied for an environmental resource permit Jan. 18 with the St. Johns River Water Management District.....
....The 11.5-acre site does not include the separately owned Zaxby's restaurant along San Jose Boulevard in front of the building.
Property records show the Kmart building was developed in 1979.
Through Atlantic Mini-Storage of America Inc., Ash Properties paid almost $4.39 million for the property Dec. 1, 2015.
Kmart closed there in 2016 but continued to lease the property until parent company Sears Holdings Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2018....
(https://media.yourobserver.com/img/photos/2024/03/11/home_depot_site_plan_mandarin_t850.jpg?94beabde1e982a4eee8f83697e93b1d92468de7c)
Update:
QuoteCity reviewing rezoning and $8 million construction permit for Mandarin Home Depot
The home improvement chain wants to demolish the closed Kmart and redevelop the site at 9600 San Jose Blvd.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/apr/25/city-reviewing-rezoning-and-8-million-construction-permit-for-mandarin-home-depot/
Where is the nearest Home Depot? Southside Boulevard? Any idea of what will happen to the old site they were looking at years ago at University and I-95?
Quote from: thelakelander on April 25, 2024, 09:48:04 PM
Where is the nearest Home Depot? Southside Boulevard? Any idea of what will happen to the old site they were looking at years ago at University and I-95?
Looking at the JaxGIS Property map - looks like FDOT bought it in 2020. The FDOT parcel is an "L" surrounding the Racetrac station on the corner of University and Richard. Interestingly, Home Depot still owns a 1 acre "L" surrounding the Racetrac, separating it from the FDOT parcel. My guess, FDOT bought it for future expansion of I-95 - possibly for reconfiguring the interchange at University, and most likely for a retention pond.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on April 25, 2024, 10:24:41 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on April 25, 2024, 09:48:04 PM
Where is the nearest Home Depot? Southside Boulevard? Any idea of what will happen to the old site they were looking at years ago at University and I-95?
Looking at the JaxGIS Property map - looks like FDOT bought it in 2020. The FDOT parcel is an "L" surrounding the Racetrac station on the corner of University and Richard. Interestingly, Home Depot still owns a 1 acre "L" surrounding the Racetrac, separating it from the FDOT parcel. My guess, FDOT bought it for future expansion of I-95 - possibly for reconfiguring the interchange at University, and most likely for a retention pond.
Ennis, to expand on Charles above, see the discussion that took place in previous posts on this thread as per below.
Aside from the HD on Southside Blvd. which I believe is a smaller than average HD, the next closest would the one off 9B at Race Track Road in St. Johns County. For some, maybe the HD across from Orange Park Mall but you have to cross the Buckman to boot. Really, none of these stores work well for Mandarin compared to the two Lowes, one at Baymeadows and Philips Hwy, and the other at I-295 and Old St. Augustine Rd. HD is way overdue for building a store in the heart of Mandarin so here we are ;D.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 05, 2023, 07:49:20 PM
Quote from: Houseboat Mike on May 04, 2023, 01:53:59 PM
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 01, 2023, 10:56:13 PM
The only question is why HD waited so long to pursue this spot ;D.
Probably because they were burned by the one they were going to open at University and 95. LOL. That one has been in the works since at least 2007 or so, if memory serves me correct.
That has not been "in the works" for years. I am familiar with the Univ. & I-95 site as it was offered to a group of investors when HD long ago walked away from it. Per the tax rolls, RaceTrac bought about 25% of it and there is already a gas station there. The other 75% is now owned by FDOT.
Someone spent millions buying out the hotels/restaurants on that site and I recall HD buying the assembled site for about $10 million. But, I heard HD didn't do their homework and ultimately realized they couldn't get bi-directional access directly from Univ. Blvd. due to the proximity to the I-95 interchange (and, thus, why FDOT probably also bought the land portion adjoining I-95. It looks like they may be planning a future southbound on-ramp for Univ. Blvd. instead of having to go to Bowden Rd.). After HD backed off, the land, at the time, was being offered for far less than HD paid for it.
So, I wouldn't lay that "burn" on the marketplace but rather incompetent real estate actors on behalf of HD.
Here is a spoken article about the Home Depot plan for the former Kmart.
https://www.connectcre.com/stories/home-depot-taking-over-shuttered-jacksonville-k-mart/
QuoteHome Depot intends to demolish a former Jacksonville K-Mart that had been there, empty, since 2016 and build a 133,123-square-foot home improvement center that includes a 25,225-square-foot garden center on the 11.5-acre site at 9600 San Jose Blvd. The application explains the closed 105,737-square-foot K-mart would be demolished.
There also is site and parking lot work, including an 8,575-square-foot outdoor seasonal sales area outside the garden center.
Sun-Ray Cinema thought about expanding with a five-screen theater at the site but the 2020 pandemic shut down those plans.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/may/07/council-land-use-and-zoning-committee-backs-rezoning-for-mandarin-home-depot/
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/may/14/the-home-depot-approved-to-build-in-mandarin/
Down she goes... Kmart demolition underway to make room for Home Depot. Interesting, a 20 year lease vs. purchase.
Quote
Mandarin Kmart building cleared for demolition for new Home Depot
The city issued a permit Sept. 6 for the former discount store to be razed so the home improvement retailer can develop on the site.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/sep/09/mandarin-kmart-building-cleared-for-demolition-for-new-home-depot/
(https://media.yourobserver.com/img/photos/2024/09/08/demolished_kmart_3xXMgun_t850.jpg?94beabde1e982a4eee8f83697e93b1d92468de7c)
The before...
(https://media.yourobserver.com/img/photos/2024/09/08/Old_Kmart_mandarin_7_t850.jpg?94beabde1e982a4eee8f83697e93b1d92468de7c)
This story coming to an end...
QuoteThe Home Depot sets opening date for Mandarin store
The home improvement retailer took the space of a closed Kmart at San Jose Boulevard and Old St. Augustine Road.
The Home Depot will open its new store at 9600 San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin for a community event Oct. 15 with regular store hours beginning Oct. 16.
The home improvement store was built on the 11.64-acre site of a former Kmart along Old St. Augustine Road.
The community celebration is 6-9 p.m. Oct. 15.
Regular store hours begin Oct. 16. Hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
The Daily Record first reported plans for The Home Depot in May 2023.
The opening comes one year after the city issued a permit Oct. 16, 2024, for construction of the store.
The 132,975-square-foot Home Depot comprises a 106,367-square-foot retail space with a 25,074-square-foot garden center and other areas.
Ordner Construction Co. Inc. of Duluth, Georgia, was the contractor for the $8 million project.
A spokesperson for The Home Depot said in a news release the store is hiring 40 associates to add to its already 100-person team.
It is the second Home Depot to open in Northeast Florida this year. The retailer opened its World Commerce Center location in St. Johns County in April.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/oct/13/the-home-depot-sets-opening-date-for-mandarin-store/
"We needed this" -Every Lawn Dad in Mandarin
We only needed this because the Scotty's closed across the street years ago. Sad it took this long to replace Kmart.