FSCJ may be expanding Downtown

Bill Hoff · July 10, 2015, 04:59:17 PM

....including student housing, culinary & arts venues.

Read up: http://floridapolitics.com/archives/186387-fscj-downtown-immersion-project-is-on-the-table

UNFurbanist · July 10, 2015, 05:09:05 PM

Very cool!

Wacca Pilatka · July 10, 2015, 05:14:09 PM

Could the building in question on Church St. be the Ambassador?

Tacachale · July 10, 2015, 05:22:34 PM

If it's that one on the corner, where Farah's Deli is/was, it's the same building the Sweet Pete's owners had their sights on, presumably to tear down for another parking lot.

jcjohnpaint · July 10, 2015, 05:35:41 PM

Look forward to hearing more

Tacachale · July 10, 2015, 05:46:16 PM

Hmm, 502 Nort Hogan is the Farah's building. There's also a 5 story building further up Church. Would they be buying two?

thelakelander · July 10, 2015, 08:30:30 PM

Nice. Hopefully, things work out.

brainstormer · July 11, 2015, 09:08:56 AM

I believe the 5 story building to possibly convert to student housing is 218 West Church Street.

From Wikipedia:

Quote
The Florida Baptist Building (also known as the Rogers Building) is a historic building in Jacksonville, Florida. It is located at 218 West Church Street, and was designed by New York architect Henry John Klutho. On January 12, 1984, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Adding some student housing to this area while restoring a Klutho building is in my mind a win-win for everyone. If Curry is serious about his support for downtown, these are the types of projects he should be fast-tracking.

thelakelander · July 11, 2015, 12:40:04 PM

Yeah, it sounds like Klutho's Florida Baptist Convention Building.

ProjectMaximus · July 11, 2015, 01:33:00 PM

This would be one of the best things that could realistically happen for downtown. FSCJ just has to be willing to open up a little more to its surroundings, rather than maintain the fortress of walls around it.

brainstormer · July 11, 2015, 02:22:20 PM

What other buildings/spaces near the potential student housing would work as an alternate for the building at 502 North Hogan? Didn't Lemonis already close on this making it unavailable for FSCJ?

ProjectMaximus · July 11, 2015, 03:18:38 PM

Quote from: stephendare on July 11, 2015, 01:35:03 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on July 11, 2015, 01:33:00 PM
This would be one of the best things that could realistically happen for downtown. FSCJ just has to be willing to open up a little more to its surroundings, rather than maintain the fortress of walls around it.

Its not just FSCJ thats going to radically alter the north end of downtown. The good fruit of bridge building and public discussion of urban vibrancy that we've all invested in with our time and energy is going to pay off over there shortly.

I can't wait!

IrvAdams · July 11, 2015, 03:36:34 PM

Wonderful news. Good to see FSCJ moving into the heart of DT. It would be nice to see State and Union made two-way again, which would make pedestrian crossing and public access in general easier to and from their large downtown main campus.

tufsu1 · July 11, 2015, 11:07:26 PM

Quote from: IrvAdams on July 11, 2015, 03:36:34 PM
It would be nice to see State and Union made two-way again

that won't be happening.....heck, some folks just wanted a lane to be removed from each side to provide wider lanes and a buffered bike lanes....and FDOT took about 2 seconds to say no way!

thelakelander · July 12, 2015, 03:50:36 PM

Quote from: brainstormer on July 11, 2015, 02:22:20 PM
What other buildings/spaces near the potential student housing would work as an alternate for the building at 502 North Hogan? Didn't Lemonis already close on this making it unavailable for FSCJ?

I don't think 502 North Hogan would be used for housing. It sounds like the First Baptist Convention Building is the 5-story structure mentioned for potential housing. Other nearby buildings that could work include the Ambassador Hotel and the old Jones Furniture Building.