Berkman Plaza 2

[Ocklawaha]

If the city gets it, what would YOU BOYS AND GIRLS DO WITH IT? I'd love to hear some ideas, Museum? Aquarium? Diving Platform? Shopping? Humm?

OCKLAWAHA

[Charles Hunter]

Why would the City get possession of the B2 site?  It's not like the Shipyards deal, where the City loaned the "developer" funds, with the land as collateral - is it?

[mtraininjax]

B2 is still involved with many lawsuits against the contractors and developer. Not much of a need for new units downtown right now as many of B1 units are in foreclosure, so I think it will be a while before they start back up, but these will get finished at some point.

[Lunican]

With downtown revitalization in mind, the city has been a catalyst in the process, providing $9.3 million in incentives for Berkman and millions more for other projects.

http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/062803/bus_12903439.shtml

The city provided $9.3 million, but I don't know if that means they could take possession of the land.

[mtraininjax]

The city provided $9.3 million, but I don't know if that means they could take possession of the land.

More than likely they could be a lien holder, but that structure has more than 9.3 million already in it.

[braeburn]

The land was given to the developer when building BP1 on the promise he would build another tower by this year.

This project is not only dead due to the garage collapse, but there have been "other" issues that will make this sucker impossible.

[Ocklawaha]

We could sheath the whole building in metal panels and make it into the worlds first convenience store mall.

Fill every floor with 10 gallon aquariums and house the worlds largest Gold Fish collection, "Only at the Jacksonville Berkman Aquarium."

Create the largest multilevel paint ball course in the world.

Extend diving platforms from each floor out over the river and call it the International Diving Center.

Make the nations best homeless apartment complex and service center out of it.

Finally claim the title of the "Unfinished Furniture Capital of the World," and create the worlds largest unfinished furniture mall.

Have the first multistory trailer-house dealership in the United States.

Convert the semi complete floors into the biggest U-Store-It place in the country.

Just thought a few suggestions were in order, God knows, we wouldn't want to be left with a huge White Elephant in downtown.

Invent a new bowling game, "only in Jacksonville, THE VERTICAL BOWL," a perfect game is 300 points but you can add 100 more if the ball falls through.

OCKLAWAHA

[Lunican]

This looks a lot like Berkman 2.

http://www.youtube.com/v/GtIjUn7_erY&hl=en_US&fs=1&

[Jason]

Lunican, do you know what building and where that was?

I would be floored if Berkman 2 was demolished.

[Lunican]

South Padre Island, Texas.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas â€" Demolition crews have imploded an unfinished, leaning 31-story South Padre Island condominium tower.

The Valley Morning Star of Harlingen reports that at least 1,500 spectators on land and on dozens of boats watched as the Ocean Tower took just 12 seconds to collapse on itself.

Officials say cleaning up the rubble should be done by April.

The Ocean Tower was to be a 151-unit luxury project slated for a spa and other amenities. Construction began in 2006 but stopped last summer when it became obvious the tower was sinking faster than attached parking garages, causing cracks in beams and columns.

[Jason]

Ahhh ok.  That actually makes sence.

[mtraininjax]

There is nothing wrong with the actual building. The parking deck was re-inforced improperly which led to the demise. I think B2 will eventually be finished, not torn down. Some local developer will buy it on the cheap and finish it.

[Lunican]

I think it will sit for 15 years, then be torn down.

[reednavy]

I think it will sit for 15 years, then be torn down.

I sure as hell hope you're wrong. I'd rather have a vacnt lot than an empty, homeless infested shell of a high-rise.

[blizz01]

At first glance it at least it looks like (for now) new development is happening downtown to uninformed visitors.......maybe they can put up another crane.