Urban Construction Update: December 2010

[duvaldude08]

Just past by treaty oak about an hour ago and workers are out there and a cement truck.

[Overstreet]

.......................

.............Hows this for concept?  All photos downtown Medellin.


OCKLAWAHA

Always thinking green is OK. But clading buildings in green screen poses some interesting water proofing problems. For example, climbing things often send out roots that find the caulk joints and work their way between caulk and building. After a while leaks develop. Getting to the joint to fix it is now difficult without a cutting device. This building places screen close to the building. Others with room behind allow maintenance of the back side of the green screen.

[Jason]

Wow, Brooklyn looks like a borrow pit right now.  Did they find gold? 

I can't wait to see Friendship Fountain back to its original glory...

[jcjohnpaint]

I know this might be a little off topic, but I have been hearing so much talk about the need for a new convention center.  I really feel that the old courthouse location would be an absolute dream location due to the River and Bay St/  Anybody hear anything on this location or what might end up there? 

[heights unknown]

What exactly are the doing to Friendship Fountain? Replacing it? Upgrading it? Brooklyn Park, how big will that be? As if Jax needs another park...maybe they are trying to lure the homeless away from downtown, and will look the other way if they hang out at Brooklyn Park instead of Hemming Park. Shame on them if this is the ploy.

"HU"

[thelakelander]

I know this might be a little off topic, but I have been hearing so much talk about the need for a new convention center.  I really feel that the old courthouse location would be an absolute dream location due to the River and Bay St/  Anybody hear anything on this location or what might end up there? 

Most would like to see a new convention center there.  However, there is no money in place to construct one and the site won't be available until 2012.

[thelakelander]

What exactly are the doing to Friendship Fountain? Replacing it? Upgrading it?

They are restoring the fountain and upgrading the park area around it.


http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-renovations-coming-to-friendship-fountain

Brooklyn Park, how big will that be?

Here is the site plan for Brooklyn Park.  200 Riverside will be built adjacent to it.





http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-feb-200-riverside-continues-to-move-forward

[Coolyfett]

I wish they never had allowed that Suddath building and its parking garage to be built right up against the Treaty Oak.  We're lucky they didn't kill the tree building so close.

Yea, thats what I always thought.

[rainfrog]

What ever will become of Berkman II?

And please tell me whatever they did to the first floor of the Lerner building is just temporary! 

[Debbie Thompson]

Cooly and Finehoe, I seem to remember the plan was to take down Treaty Oak until people raised h-e-double hockey sticks about it.  So they saved the tree and made a small park there.  That's why the Suddath building is so close to it.

[duvaldude08]

Does any one know what being done on Kipp street. (across from Prudential surface lot) I see construction being done everyday off the interstate. I drove back there on lunch break on day and they are no indications of whats being built. It is just signs with the name of the construction company up. Thats it.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Cooly and Finehoe, I seem to remember the plan was to take down Treaty Oak until people raised h-e-double hockey sticks about it.  So they saved the tree and made a small park there.  That's why the Suddath building is so close to it.

I thought the plans to take down the tree predated the Suddath building construction?

Speaking of that building, I know it used to be an IBM building and I believe I read that there were significant incentives involved to entice IBM into opening a Jacksonville facility.  Does anyone know anything more about this?

[acme54321]

I was driving by the Olde San Jose condo site a few days ago and saw some activity.  They were unloading a boom lift on the side of San Jose and there were multiple construction vehicles there.

There was no mention of it on MJ that I saw but I did find this: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2010/12/14/old-san-jose-condo-project-sold.html

Looks like they are going to begin to move forward with everything.

[Captain Zissou]

I was chatting with a Publix cashier at the Riverside location last night and he said that Publix will be opening a Pharmacy and Liquor store within the same development but in different buildings.  He didn't know all the details, but he said the liquor store should be open by this time next year.

Also, Scott McAllister is opening a new venue near his King street compound.  Soft opening Christmas night, full opening sometime in the next week.  It's a small pub-style space.

[Ocklawaha]

Any word on EAST SAN MARCO?

OCKLAWAHA

Crispers entered the area last year with a Crispers Fresh Salads and Such restaurant on county Road 210, in the Publix-anchored Cobblestone Village at St. Augustine shopping center.

Calhoon said the restaurant's gourmet soup, salad and sandwich concept is similar to Panera Bread, a national chain operating 637 bakery-cafes.

Publix became Crispers' majority investor July 29, two years after it began financially backing the company. Publix will not disclose its investment amount.

Calhoon declined to discuss the company's finances or Publix's contributions, but said the private grocery chain has been "a good investment partner."

Publix is not involved in Crispers' daily operations, but does offer management support when needed, Calhoon said.

Crispers' upcoming Jacksonville-area restaurant openings coincide with Publix's plans to open four stores before the end of this year, on Race Track Road in Julington Creek, county Road 210 in St. Augustine, at the Shoppes at Bartram Park near Interstate 95 and county Road 210 and at the former Harris Teeter store on San Jose Boulevard.

Publix spokesman Dwaine Stevens said the company sees Crispers as a good investment because "it mirrors our service, cleanliness and quality."


Read more: Publix-backed restaurant chain cooking up area expansion | Jacksonville Business Journal