FSCJ eyeing more downtown buildings for student housing

[thelakelander]

Higher education is playing a lead role in the economic revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville as two of the city's three colleges expand their campuses in the city's urban core.
This fall, Florida State College at Jacksonville plans to open its student housing and culinary arts café in the historic Lerner Building.

That's just the start. FSCJ President Cynthia Bioteau said it will be the first of three facilities the college has planned for Downtown.

She did not say where the next two might be. The Lerner Building is at 20 W. Adams St., off of North Main Street.

Jill Johnson, FSCJ director of marketing and communications, said Thursday that the next two locations have not been decided.

FSCJ wants to see the results of the initial housing project.

"Dr. Bioteau definitely has a vision to continue the momentum of our housing efforts as we share our resources in promoting the revitalization of Downtown Jacksonville," she said.

Speaking of UNF, the article also includes this line:

Delaney, who has served the longest term as UNF president, announced he will retire in 2018 after 15 years in the position. He said he doesn't anticipate a UNF Downtown campus any time soon.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549747

[Jim]

Would be funny if FSCJ ends up fulfilling the role UNF was expected to do for a urban core university campus.

[Jumpinjack]

This is just great. Hurray for President Bioteau, her staff and the wonderful vision for education in downtown.

[jaxjaguar]

Would love to see the old ambassador hotel and Florida Baptist building behind sweet Pete's fixed up next. They seem pretty logical from a location stand point. It'd also knock out two highly visible eyesores and give another developer more reason to fix up the old JEA building, which is sandwiched in between them.

[ronchamblin]

The very idea of Ms. Bioteau entertaining the addition of one or two more FSCJ facilities into the core is very positive.  If there is a single ultimate rule for "doing" a core comeback, it is.  "Encourage and establish, by whatever mechanisms or programs, permanent persons into the core, either as residents, workers, students, a visitor and customer base ...  and for color ... the homeless and insane."  We need some of the truly insane on the core streets for a clear comparison ... to partially obscure the many borderline individuals who endure seemingly normal lives as they live and work in the core.

It is refreshing and encouraging that Ms. Bioteau is actively addressing both the expansion of FSCJ and the needs of the city core at the same time. 

[thelakelander]

Would love to see the old ambassador hotel and Florida Baptist building behind sweet Pete's fixed up next. They seem pretty logical from a location stand point. It'd also knock out two highly visible eyesores and give another developer more reason to fix up the old JEA building, which is sandwiched in between them.

I'm told there is already an active project involving the old JEA building. Maybe it will help get the other two back online?

[KenFSU]

Ambassador Hotel was the first thing that popped to mind for me as well.

Good looking out, FSCJ.

[jaxjaguar]

Would love to see the old ambassador hotel and Florida Baptist building behind sweet Pete's fixed up next. They seem pretty logical from a location stand point. It'd also knock out two highly visible eyesores and give another developer more reason to fix up the old JEA building, which is sandwiched in between them.

I'm told there is already an active project involving the old JEA building. Maybe it will help get the other two back online?

Any idea how far along in the process they are? I know there were a few concepts thrown around while I was living downtown, but nothing ever materialized.

[KenFSU]

$1 million permit issued for the FSCJ Cafe.

Expected to open early next year, with student housing following shortly thereafter.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/downtown-fscj-cafe-issued-dollar1-million-city-permit

[heights unknown]

Would love to see the old ambassador hotel and Florida Baptist building behind sweet Pete's fixed up next. They seem pretty logical from a location stand point. It'd also knock out two hig.z,dhly visible eyesores and give another developer more reason to fix up the old JEA building, which is sandwiched in between them.

I'm told there is already an active project involving the old JEA building. Maybe it will help get the other two back online?

Lake, not to instigate extra work to you, but could you please educate those of us who don't know, what that project is that will involve or is involving the old JEA Building? Thanks Bub.