Developer Jeff Morr delays Jacksonville plans pending the HRO

[Tacachale]

The Jacksonville Business Journal is reporting that Miami developer Jeff Morr, who recently purchased several buildings in Jacksonville and has been trying to inspire other investors to do the same, won't invest any further until the Human Rights Ordinance is implemented.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/02/23/would-be-jacksonville-developer-delays-plans-until.html?ana=e_jac_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2016-02-23

Morr recently bought 1095 Park St. and 2008 Riverside Ave., and was reported to be working with other investors to develop in Downtown and the Urban Core. A few weeks back he brought investors down from New York to show them potential opportunities in Jacksonville.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/02/11/why-a-miami-developer-is-taking-interest-in.html

But the mayor says the HRO "wouldn't be prudent" at this time.

[Captain Zissou]

I'm glad he's taking a public stance on the issue.  I wonder how many other developers or investors are staying away for this very reason, but haven't spoken up.

[dp8541]

Good for him for speaking up.

Yup - this is exactly the type of statement needed.  The more stances like this, the more pressure on the mayor/council

[joshuataylor]

Here's what we're losing:


Jeff Morr is nearly a South Florida native but bears national origins from Tel Aviv. He carries over 25 years of real estate and design experience to Itsuv from a multitude of influences, most notably real estate brokerage as Jeff is the Founder and Chief Executive of Majestic Properties, a luxury real estate company with offices spanning Miami Beach to Tampa.

Jeff reinvented the way South Florida real estate was designed and branded.  He introduced the "modern loft" concept in the late 1990s with four boutique South Beach loft buildings: Fountainhead, Ilona, Manhattan and Sundance.  In addition, Jeff ushered in the inclusion of rooftop terraces, deep living balconies, and plasma walls between living and bedroom areas as well as full glass-wall baths to the industry.  Jeff describes Itsuv as "a powerful vehicle for owners and developers to successfully capitalize on the real estate market with the creativity, innovation and foresight of a full service design firm."

Jeff has a strong hand in reshaping the Miami skyline.  He was instrumental in the conceptualization, master planning, unit mix, design, finish, branding and marketing of an impressive list of flagship developments.  These include Ten Museum Park, Marquis, Paramount Bay, Midtown Miami 2 & 4, Midblock, Nirvana, ArtéCity, South of Fifth and  the Caribbean.  Jeff and his team at Majestic Properties have sold over $3 Billion in developer inventory over the last decade.

[joshuataylor]

Ten Museum Park - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Museum_Park
Marquis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquis_Residences
Paramount Bay - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramount_Bay_at_Edgewater_Square
Midtown Miami 2 & 4, Midblock - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midtown_Miami_Residences
Artecity - https://www.miamicondolifestyle.com/artecity.php
South of Fifth - http://www.simplysofi.com/
The Caribbean - http://www.kevintomlinson.com/condos/caribbean

[Downtown Osprey]

Excellent!

[MusicMan]

Quote: " A few weeks back he brought investors down from New York to show them potential opportunities in Jacksonville."


Good God, how pathetic is this place. We need a developer from South Beach to bring people from New York to show them around Jacksonville?

That truly sums it up, 'cause there are no local people who have New York ties and can bring people down themselves? Does he know anyone in Chicago?

Maybe someone from Peoria can bring someone from Albuquerque and show them around?

Yikes.

[brainstormer]

Obviously Morr is in a position to hold his ground because he can just say no and doesn't live here. It would be nice for Rummell and some of the other locals proposing big projects to also call out Curry for his lack of leadership.

If Curry had endorsed the HRO because it is the right thing to do, then his glowing endorsement of Rubio for President would not have been so welcomed. Way to stay focused on Jacksonville, Curry!

[MusicMan]

When Rubio gets beaten by The Donald our fresh faced Mayor will have an embarrassment on his hands.

[tufsu1]

When Rubio gets beaten by The Donald our fresh faced Mayor will have an embarrassment on his hands.

Hardly.  Most establishment people aren't supporting Trump.  Pretty sure the former state party chair had little choice but to endorse the only Floridian (yes I know Trump owns some real estate here) still in the race.

[MusicMan]

Curry is former Chair of the Florida Republican Party. Mayor of Jacksonville. He has endorsed the former Florida Senator. If Trump beats him
(as predicted) it shows Curry is not as effective as he wants people to believe. And it would be an embarrassment.  All of the "establishment" Repubs are backing Rubio, but the rank and file are not buying into it.

[RattlerGator]

Non-passage of some gay HRO isn't stopping any development in Jacksonville. Nice P.R. try, though.

[Tacachale]

Non-passage of some gay HRO isn't stopping any development in Jacksonville. Nice P.R. try, though.

Sorry, but I'm going to trust Morr's word on Morr's developments, and he's pretty clear on the subject.

Pushing away *any* opportunity over something as simple as basic human rights coverage is just silly.

[spuwho]

Non-passage of some gay HRO isn't stopping any development in Jacksonville. Nice P.R. try, though.

Sorry, but I'm going to trust Morr's word on Morr's developments, and he's pretty clear on the subject.

Pushing away *any* opportunity over something as simple as basic human rights coverage is just silly.

I don't think RG was calling Morr a liar. He was saying development will continue in Jacksonville, HRO or no HRO.

Every developer has to make decisions that are best for their operation. If Morr has an HRO on his check off list for good business then that is his prerogative.

My take is that if you want to effect social change, you embrace the community completely and convince from within as opposed to dangling "what could be" in front of peoples faces to change their mind.

I still think there is room for an amended HRO, but it seems its this "all or nothing" approach that benefits no one at all.

[Charles Hunter]

Non-passage of some gay HRO isn't stopping any development in Jacksonville.
Sorry, but I'm going to trust Morr's word on Morr's developments, and he's pretty clear on the subject.

Pushing away *any* opportunity over something as simple as basic human rights coverage is just silly.

I don't think RG was calling Morr a liar. He was saying development will continue in Jacksonville, HRO or no HRO.

Every developer has to make decisions that are best for their operation. If Morr has an HRO on his check off list for good business then that is his prerogative.

My take is that if you want to effect social change, you embrace the community completely and convince from within as opposed to dangling "what could be" in front of peoples faces to change their mind.

I still think there is room for an amended HRO, but it seems its this "all or nothing" approach that benefits no one at all.

What would you amend out of the fully inclusive HRO?