Land JU sold will be made into riverfront park
QuoteBy LIZ FLAISIG,
The Times-Union
At one time in Jacksonville University's history, selling any of its land was unimaginable.
Two years ago, financial constraints on the private university forced a shift in that thinking.
The result was the $31.5 million sale last year of its northern 62 acres, sandwiched between the St. Johns River and University Boulevard North.
Then, a proposed redesign of the Dolphin Reef condominium community yielded something unexpected: a 40-acre public riverfront park.
The park will be fashioned out of a 9-hole golf course the university built in 1966.
It closed five years ago due to waning interest in 9-hole courses and rising maintenance costs.
JU spokesman Derek Hall said the school's lease with developers will be amended to reflect the new use once details are finalized later this year.
Although the school would have used the golf course after its redesign, the park will complement its new rowing center nearby and a proposed marine science building, Hall said.
The AMC Delancey Group plans to combine its site's riverfront access with that of the former golf course for a milelong walking and jogging trail, said Paul Commito, AMC vice president.
Other amenities the park could have are a sculpture garden and amphitheater.
Earlier this year, the Philadelphia-based developer began talking about its new conceptual plan with the city and community groups.
Integrating the river, live oak trees and other existing natural surroundings became the new emphasis of the plan, said Commito, whose 25 years of experience includes urban development in New York, Chicago and Philadelphia for Toll Brothers Inc.
The company decided to re-evaluate its master plan because it was created two years ago when the real estate market was not as stagnant.
"We wanted to create an entire new community, not just a pure, new sterile community," Commito said.
The new Dolphin Reef plan calls for 950 to 960 units with 40,000- to 80,000-square-feet of retail. Two riverfront restaurants will be adjacent to the community's marina.
The cost to develop the community under the new plan isn't available yet because the design was just completed, Commito said.
AMC expects to break ground about a year from now, pending city approval of changes to its plan.
liz.flaisig@jacksonville.com,
(904) 359-4640
This story can be found on Jacksonville.com at http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/082407/bus_194093509.shtml.
Things have been pretty quiet since the development was announced. Its good to hear that things are progressing.
Has there been any movement on this? I go to JU and havent seen anything happen. With the current remnants of the golf course on the south end of campus along the river, separated by the Negaard Rowing Center, Wurn Pool, and the Village Apartments (along with the Alumni River House) from the north end development, how is all of this going to work? Did JU pretty much sell off all its immediate river frontage?
It looks like JU is spending the money, however.. With new Dorms (Oak Hall), and a renovated Swisher Theatre, as well as finishing the long dormant Davis Student Center (Old Davis College of Business). Do they have any more facility upgrades in the works?
Probably not. These guys have a suit filed against them on this project and another (Antigua of St. Augustine) for not paying their original architect.
As an alum of JU, it helped significantly when Romesburg came on board. David Harlow was a nice guy, and had a heck of a career in the Navy, but really didn't get the whole prvate school - need to raise money thing. Harlow seemed to forget that the government wasn't paying the bill, and he couldn't just spend when he wanted to.
I had heard a rumor about a 5,000 seat convocation center for gatherings, and such. I haven't heard anything since about it.
Quote from: DetroitInJAX on January 22, 2008, 02:22:11 PM
Has there been any movement on this? I go to JU and havent seen anything happen. With the current remnants of the golf course on the south end of campus along the river, separated by the Negaard Rowing Center, Wurn Pool, and the Village Apartments (along with the Alumni River House) from the north end development, how is all of this going to work? Did JU pretty much sell off all its immediate river frontage?
No, defintely not - it looks like from reading the article that the park will be partially on their land, but notice the term "lease". I don't see JU selling any more land. Almost as soon as Romesburg stabilized the school, it was operating in the black, it just had a bit of debt, which was wiped out with the sale of land
You can go to http://maps.coj.net/jaxgis/ and click on Duval Maps to get an idea of who owns what.
There are good whispers about a new football stadium being built soon, not just a wish, now that certain benefactors are no longer in play. Some did not want a football program.
I go to JU as well and sigh everytime I park near the baseball field and look at the weed covered field near the river.
*sigh*
I take it there has not been any progress....
This project is dead (or at least delayed) and tied up in court, from what I understand.