Third and Main Breaks ground in Spingfield

[Metro Jacksonville]

Third and Main Breaks ground in Spingfield



Touted as the first new building on Main Street in 40 years, the Lofts on Main had a short ceremonial groundbreaking on May 5th, 2007.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/426

[RG]

This development will be the catalyst for a renewed Main Street in my view.  Hopefully other landowners (Hionides) will follow suit in developing or selling their parcels along Main.

[jason_contentdg]

So, I assume this was for theatrical purposes only?

[thelakelander]

I don't know what's up with this project.  Downtownparks should be able to fill us in.

[downtownparks]

There have been a few hold ups, none of them having to do with the project itself. The Cesarys son was in a very bad accident a few months ago, so I understand they have been dealing with that. Now I understand there has been more unfortunate news on the family health front, not as serious, but still note worthy. Everyone I have spoken to about this says they are sure its still a go, as soon as things calm down on the family health front.

[Seraphs]

With retro design of this building I thought this was a renovation.  So it's actually being built from the ground?

[thelakelander]

yes, it will be built from the ground up replacing what as once a vacant car lot.

[thelakelander]

This one is still a go.

In the Pipeline

By The Times-Union

Preparation for Third and Main 

Site clearing for 36 apartments and 7,500 square feet of retail space at 1303 N. Main St. has received city approval to begin.

Under its original name, The Lofts on Main, the project last year received approval from the City Council. As the real estate market slowdown got under way, developer The Cesery Cos. began talking with Shands Jacksonville about the potential for a partnership to provide patient housing.

The mixed-use complex plans were changed from condominiums to rentals, allowing it to be first on Shands' list for use by patients coming to Jacksonville for proton therapy treatments, said Tom Burnett, project manager for Cesery.

Construction for the $6.5 million project should be under way by mid-March. The retail space will include a 3,000-square-foot market that could have a deli, Burnett said.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111907/bus_218341594.shtml

[Jason]

That is an interesting matchup.  Sounds like a successful concept, however, patient housing may not do much to increase the live/work lifestyle in Springfield.

[thelakelander]

Beggars can't be choosy.  Just having a large new visible urban construction project on Main Street will do wonders for the commercial corridor.  While patient housing won't increase the immediate population, these patients will most likely spend money at nearby business establishments, plus they'll help get a project off the ground that would have been canceled if it had to rely on the housing market.

[Jason]

No doubt.  Also, there will likely be hospital personnell that would frequent the surrounding buisnesses. 

[fsujax]

I think this is a great model to use in these difficult times for the housing market.  Hopefully, this will spur more development along the Main St corridor.

[downtownparks]

Keep in mind, these aren't your run of the mill patients. These are folks who are going to be using high intensity radiation therapy for cancer at the proton beam unit. It has far fewer side effects than normal treatments, and the patient is far more active. The house across the street from me is used for this purpose, and we have had some great neighbors. Its like having a family across the street on a rotation. Shands is jokingly calling its treatments the radiation vacation.

[big ben]

it's funny how the thirdandmain.com website makes it sound like they're finished and you can start leasing immediately.

[RiversideGator]

I think patient housing may actually help spur retail growth on Main better than mere apartments because the people staying there will probably bring family members, they will tend to be more wealthy and they will spend more money per day than the average apartment dweller.  I think it is akin to a new mini-hotel on Main Street and I think it will be a huge boost to the Main Street corridor in Springfield.