St. Johns Village Project Shrinks!

[Steve]

I guess this is going to get a reboot:

The Commander and the retail shops next to it on St. Johns Avenue have been sold to an Atlanta-based development firm.
Chance Partners LLC bought the 170-foot tall, water-front apartment building and the 3.3 acres where the retail buildings are for $5.8 million.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/03/11/the-commander-sold-to-atlanta-based-developer.html?ana=e_jac_bn_breakingnews&u=11189397374e6a451121b1b0bac0c5&t=1457715866&j=71333712

[Steve]

^How much of a change compared to the Balanky renderings?

[jcjohnpaint]

was it purchased from the last developer that didn't get project off the ground?

[Kay]

The developer did not own the property.

[JaxAvondale]

Is this property covered by the J-Bill?

[Know Growth]

The developer did not own the property.

Correct,although for some reason many thought the developer/applicant did own the property.

At any rate,Overlay aspects,RAP and private citizen group Arden LLC effectively engaged/"Standing"/unlimited funds available for Citizen Appeal if needed, resulting in Shrink.

Once again,citizen engagement in Shrink was not a matter of not caring about a rundown property but simply a matter of assuring the "fix" was appropriate for the neighborhood.Substantial Deviation "request" addressed,by Law,by local citizens who possess the propensity to engage effectively,money resources to carry through Appeal if need be.

Will be interesting to see if the new owners are under the impression or intention to go back to another Land Use & Zone revision request,or adhere to development rights currently vested.

[JaxAvondale]

Update

http://m.jacksonville.com/#article=6826DAD05D55FEF2A3642CEF5168E18E594F

[Live_Oak]

No commercial?  It's a shame it can't be some sort of mixed use development.

So we'll have all residential going into a commercial character area according to the R/A overlay. Are people going to be up in arms about that as much as they were about The Roost?  "Protect the Overlay" right?

[Steve]

I actually think the site plan sucks now. I'm fine without the commercial (their call - personally I think it would do well there), but it just looks like a typical suburban development with a highrise next door.

[thelakelander]

It would be nice to get a full site plan. Nevertheless, what was partially shown in the FTU yesterday appears to be more suburban than the apartment complexes being built in SJTC's parking lot.

[Tacachale]

That site plan sucks.

[Kay]

It does suck.  Email RAP and weigh in.

[Kay]

Is this property covered by the J-Bill?

J-bill covers all commercial character areas within the Overlay and this is a commercial character area.  Although the new owners do not
intend to have any commercial uses.

[mtraininjax]

It will be nice to see more people in the neighborhood in a space that is really an eyesore. Prices are rising in Avondale over a shortage of housing, so it will be nice to see these when finished.