Culinary Institute of America exploring Downtown campus

[Zac T]

Found this interesting piece tucked in a business journal article about Visit Jax. This could potentially be a huge get for Downtown if it comes to fruition. Wonder what part of Downtown they would be looking at...

Committee member Dennis Chan briefed the council on "Project Caymus," the Culinary Institute of America's potential expansion into Jacksonville. After CIA President Michiel Bakker met with city leaders, he pointed to Jacksonville's emphasis on health, its population growth and its military presence as reasons the city stands out.

Plans under discussion would establish a Southeast headquarters campus that includes a world-class secondary school, a restaurant, retail components and a four-star hotel downtown. Supporters say the project aligns with the TDC's newly adopted strategic pillars and could generate an estimated $1 billion in tourism revenue over 15 years, comparable to other markets with a CIA campus. The council approved sending a letter of support to Bakker backing the effort.

https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/02/12/jax-draws-new-lines-on-bed-tax-use.html

Here's a look at their San Antonio campus which would probably be most similar to a Jacksonville campus

https://www.ciachef.edu/cia-texas/

[thelakelander]

Immediately adjacent to the Pearl Street District, Old Stanton would be a great building to work into something like this.

[jcjohnpaint]

Looks like they have been working on that building a few weeks ago.

[thelakelander]

They got some grant money years ago to replace the roof and windows. Hoping they get some new windows installed soon. Its not good for the building to be exposed like it has been for the last few months.

[Ned Plimpton]

I've heard this concept is potentially slated for the .8 acre parcel that the city recently carved out of the Ford on Bay property.  If the school will go on this property and the hotel and retail were to use the remainder of that block in a later phase, that makes sense to me.  Otherwise .8 acres for the proposed uses seems quite small.

[OspreyGrad]

It's nice to get inspiration from other cities' reuse of older brick buildings. Jacksonville sort of reminds me of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore due to similarities in their past. To bad we don't have the population density downtown to revitalize the area sooner than later. I wonder if the city can set a lower property tax rate for downtown businesses and residents to attract new tenants.

[jcjohnpaint]

Drove by today and they are working on windows. Looks like reframing

[Jankelope]

This sounds like a genuinely amazing prospect.

[Ken_FSU]

Proposed terms are starting to come out.

Full details at: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/12/city-to-explore-35-million-in-incentives-for-culinary-institute-of-america-to-establish-jacksonville-campus/

City To Explore $35 Million in Incentives for Culinary Institute of America to Establish Jacksonville Campus

The ordinance says the city incentives would go toward the CIA establishing a 50,000-square-foot campus Downtown. It says the city's Tourist Development Council has pledged $1 million for the project.

Under proposed terms in the supporting document, the city would provide $8 million in workforce development funding and $27 million in other  appropriations.

The document says the city of Jacksonville's proposed commitments include possible use of funds from the city's $150 million portion of its $300 million Community Benefits Agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That agreement is tied to the $1.45 billion deal to transform EverBank Stadium into the team's "Stadium of the Future."

Funding per year would be $4 million in 2026-27, $6.25 million in each of the next two years, $8.25 million in each of the next two and $2 million in the sixth year.

Among other proposed commitments, the city would work with the developer and state to help obtain state funding.

The developer's proposed commitments include providing at least 12 educational programs in 2026, establishing and maintaining a presence in Downtown Jacksonville until the new campus is complete. It also would pursue state and federal funding, including New Market Tax Credits.

Another commitment is to develop marina, public spaces and any additional parking needed for the site.

As indicated in the ordinance, Carrico sought emergency passage ahead of a June meeting by the institute's board of directors to consider potential locations for its Southeast campus.

"The City Council desires to express its support for the Project and for it to be located in downtown Jacksonville in advance of said meeting," the ordinance reads.

This line caught my attention too:

Bakker told city leaders the project would need state, local and community support for an endowed scholarship, Chan said.

So, essentially, $35 million to get it off the ground, plus ongoing support, if my read is correct.

The CBA note is interesting. My kneejerk reaction was, "It's too elitist and exclusive to be in the spirit of the CBA." Thinking about it a little more, I actually think it could make sense in terms of workforce development and equitable opportunity IF the developers are purposeful about things like scholarships for Eastside residents, building sustainable workforce training pipelines, offering apprenticeships, etc. It also helps push the riverfront forward.

Definitely don't think we should pull all $35 million from the city portion of CBA for the project though. I'm not even sure we have it? If $55 million went to parks, $40 million was committed to the Eastside, and I think another $40 was committed to individual districts? My memory might be off though.

I also worry if UF comes begging for CBA money as their campus expands if we commit to the Culinary Institute.

Will be an interesting one to follow.

The other piece, obviously, is what kind of incentive ask will be tied to the hotel component? I'm assuming the above dollars are JUST for the CIA building, right?

[jaxoNOLE]

Why must the campus be heavily-subsidized new build on prime riverfront property while the Trio sits vacant with ample square footage? If we are as cash strapped as council intermittently claims we are, why would we take on yet another massive subsidy while the Trio sits in limbo?

I think the concept of CIA coming to Jax is awesome. I don't love tethering it to the Ford on Bay--it seems unnecessarily complicated and short-sighted in context of budget, the other 2 parcels, the Hyatt/convention/ROFR issue, and the overall smell of pre-ordained backroom dealing in the design of the RFP.

[fieldafm]

Proposed terms are starting to come out.

Full details at: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/12/city-to-explore-35-million-in-incentives-for-culinary-institute-of-america-to-establish-jacksonville-campus/

City To Explore $35 Million in Incentives for Culinary Institute of America to Establish Jacksonville Campus

The ordinance says the city incentives would go toward the CIA establishing a 50,000-square-foot campus Downtown. It says the city's Tourist Development Council has pledged $1 million for the project.

Under proposed terms in the supporting document, the city would provide $8 million in workforce development funding and $27 million in other  appropriations.

The document says the city of Jacksonville's proposed commitments include possible use of funds from the city's $150 million portion of its $300 million Community Benefits Agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That agreement is tied to the $1.45 billion deal to transform EverBank Stadium into the team's "Stadium of the Future."

Funding per year would be $4 million in 2026-27, $6.25 million in each of the next two years, $8.25 million in each of the next two and $2 million in the sixth year.

Among other proposed commitments, the city would work with the developer and state to help obtain state funding.

The developer's proposed commitments include providing at least 12 educational programs in 2026, establishing and maintaining a presence in Downtown Jacksonville until the new campus is complete. It also would pursue state and federal funding, including New Market Tax Credits.

Another commitment is to develop marina, public spaces and any additional parking needed for the site.

As indicated in the ordinance, Carrico sought emergency passage ahead of a June meeting by the institute's board of directors to consider potential locations for its Southeast campus.

"The City Council desires to express its support for the Project and for it to be located in downtown Jacksonville in advance of said meeting," the ordinance reads.

This line caught my attention too:

Bakker told city leaders the project would need state, local and community support for an endowed scholarship, Chan said.

So, essentially, $35 million to get it off the ground, plus ongoing support, if my read is correct.

The CBA note is interesting. My kneejerk reaction was, "It's too elitist and exclusive to be in the spirit of the CBA." Thinking about it a little more, I actually think it could make sense in terms of workforce development and equitable opportunity IF the developers are purposeful about things like scholarships for Eastside residents, building sustainable workforce training pipelines, offering apprenticeships, etc. It also helps push the riverfront forward.

Definitely don't think we should pull all $35 million from the city portion of CBA for the project though. I'm not even sure we have it? If $55 million went to parks, $40 million was committed to the Eastside, and I think another $40 was committed to individual districts? My memory might be off though.

I also worry if UF comes begging for CBA money as their campus expands if we commit to the Culinary Institute.

Will be an interesting one to follow.

The other piece, obviously, is what kind of incentive ask will be tied to the hotel component? I'm assuming the above dollars are JUST for the CIA building, right?

Beyond taking up only 1/3 of a city block, and subsidizing convention space right next to the city's only true convention center (the Hyatt)... what the article or Carrico's 'emergency' bill doesn't highlight is that COJ (or more accurately the taxpayer's credit card) would have to provide 350 parking spaces.  I don't think you can carve out 350 dedicated spaces in the Yates parking garage... so that means COJ will have to build a new parking structure.  That will cost more than the incentives quoted in this article. The history of COJ building structured parking Downtown is filled with tens of millions in operational losses. 

All this for a hotel and a college graduating $20/hour cooks that will be saddled with student loan debt? I thought workforce development taxpayer money had some sort of floor on wages.  Its why Florida didnt try to compete with Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee in attracting foreign automaker manufacturing facilities Is that not a thing anymore?

Is Corner Lot going to come back in a few years and ask for more subsidies to build another 1/3 of the lot for a reincarnated Florida Coastal School of Law, as well?

Just a few years ago we had close to a dozen developers respond to a well-advertised RFP for this ENTIRE block. Why did DIA fall over themselves to approve an unsolicited bid for a massively-subsidized slither of that same block?

[fsu813]

Proposed terms are starting to come out.

Full details at: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2026/may/12/city-to-explore-35-million-in-incentives-for-culinary-institute-of-america-to-establish-jacksonville-campus/

City To Explore $35 Million in Incentives for Culinary Institute of America to Establish Jacksonville Campus

The ordinance says the city incentives would go toward the CIA establishing a 50,000-square-foot campus Downtown. It says the city's Tourist Development Council has pledged $1 million for the project.

Under proposed terms in the supporting document, the city would provide $8 million in workforce development funding and $27 million in other  appropriations.

The document says the city of Jacksonville's proposed commitments include possible use of funds from the city's $150 million portion of its $300 million Community Benefits Agreement with the Jacksonville Jaguars. That agreement is tied to the $1.45 billion deal to transform EverBank Stadium into the team's "Stadium of the Future."

Funding per year would be $4 million in 2026-27, $6.25 million in each of the next two years, $8.25 million in each of the next two and $2 million in the sixth year.

Among other proposed commitments, the city would work with the developer and state to help obtain state funding.

The developer's proposed commitments include providing at least 12 educational programs in 2026, establishing and maintaining a presence in Downtown Jacksonville until the new campus is complete. It also would pursue state and federal funding, including New Market Tax Credits.

Another commitment is to develop marina, public spaces and any additional parking needed for the site.

As indicated in the ordinance, Carrico sought emergency passage ahead of a June meeting by the institute's board of directors to consider potential locations for its Southeast campus.

"The City Council desires to express its support for the Project and for it to be located in downtown Jacksonville in advance of said meeting," the ordinance reads.

This line caught my attention too:

Bakker told city leaders the project would need state, local and community support for an endowed scholarship, Chan said.

So, essentially, $35 million to get it off the ground, plus ongoing support, if my read is correct.

The CBA note is interesting. My kneejerk reaction was, "It's too elitist and exclusive to be in the spirit of the CBA." Thinking about it a little more, I actually think it could make sense in terms of workforce development and equitable opportunity IF the developers are purposeful about things like scholarships for Eastside residents, building sustainable workforce training pipelines, offering apprenticeships, etc. It also helps push the riverfront forward.

Definitely don't think we should pull all $35 million from the city portion of CBA for the project though. I'm not even sure we have it? If $55 million went to parks, $40 million was committed to the Eastside, and I think another $40 was committed to individual districts? My memory might be off though.

I also worry if UF comes begging for CBA money as their campus expands if we commit to the Culinary Institute.

Will be an interesting one to follow.

The other piece, obviously, is what kind of incentive ask will be tied to the hotel component? I'm assuming the above dollars are JUST for the CIA building, right?

Beyond taking up only 1/3 of a city block, and subsidizing convention space right next to the city's only true convention center (the Hyatt)... what the article or Carrico's 'emergency' bill doesn't highlight is that COJ (or more accurately the taxpayer's credit card) would have to provide 350 parking spaces.  I don't think you can carve out 350 dedicated spaces in the Yates parking garage... so that means COJ will have to build a new parking structure.  That will cost more than the incentives quoted in this article. The history of COJ building structured parking Downtown is filled with tens of millions in operational losses. 

All this for a hotel and a college graduating $20/hour cooks that will be saddled with student loan debt? I thought workforce development taxpayer money had some sort of floor on wages.  Its why Florida didnt try to compete with Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee in attracting foreign automaker manufacturing facilities Is that not a thing anymore?

Is Corner Lot going to come back in a few years and ask for more subsidies to build another 1/3 of the lot for a reincarnated Florida Coastal School of Law, as well?

Just a few years ago we had close to a dozen developers respond to a well-advertised RFP for this ENTIRE block. Why did DIA fall over themselves to approve an unsolicited bid for a massively-subsidized slither of that same block?

I talked with CL about this project a while ago. They think bringing the culinary institute here will raise the floor for hospitality in Jax, will be a feeder for hospitality jobs all over Jax that are currently difficult to consistently fill and thus holding back local hospitality growth, and the institute itself will be a unique draw in the region.

[Jankelope]

I understand that this is the cost of doing aspirational things when you're still trying to find your footing after decades of mismanagement, but these incentives are just so consistently crazy imo. The Gateway package felt reasonable for what it is (a truly transformational project) but it feels like so so many developers (and Winn Dixie lol) are coming here just trying to take as much incentive as possible. Of course that's always what they're going to do, but we do have to start phasing out of these kinds of massive completion grants, etc

[Ned Plimpton]

Why must the campus be heavily-subsidized new build on prime riverfront property while the Trio sits vacant with ample square footage? If we are as cash strapped as council intermittently claims we are, why would we take on yet another massive subsidy while the Trio sits in limbo?

I think the concept of CIA coming to Jax is awesome. I don't love tethering it to the Ford on Bay--it seems unnecessarily complicated and short-sighted in context of budget, the other 2 parcels, the Hyatt/convention/ROFR issue, and the overall smell of pre-ordained backroom dealing in the design of the RFP.

Agreed that the Ford on Bay is not the appropriate place for the school (hearing that the hotel is dead), but the footprints of the Trio buildings do not work at all for a cooking school.  The Florida life and Bisbee buildings are incredibly narrow.  That said, there are plenty of existing buildings downtown with empty space that would work for this use.