JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Discussions on how to move forward with redeveloping the iconic Laura Street Trio buildings have started once again.
This time, those discussions are happening between the developer and a special committee examining the future of downtown.
Last month, the Downtown Investment Authority voted unanimously to end its negotiations with the developer.
The three buildings located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville have stood vacant for roughly 30 years, noticeably deteriorating in several places. Jennifer Morrissey has been selling hot dogs at the same corner for the last 15 years.
“15 years ago, I was being interviewed for the Laura Trio that there was going to be something new to look at,” Morrissey said. “Still, 15 years later, it looks the same.”
Breathing new life into the buildings whose history dates back to after the Great Fire of 1901 has proven to be costly.
Monday, the developer, Steve Atkins, presented his new proposal before the City Council’s special committee on the future of downtown. In short, it involves just over $18 million in city loans and $67 million in development grants.
In total, it comes out to over $85 million. At this juncture, the discussions on how to move forward are just that. However, Councilman Ron Salem did raise a question over the best move given the buildings’ current condition.
“If the buildings have deteriorated to that extent, and I know they’re very important, I hear from everyone,” Salem said. “Is it worth trying to put these kinds of dollars into these buildings versus, and I may be shot here, tearing them down and building something else?”
Atkins told News4JAX he does not want to go down the demolition route.
“The last thing that I would ever want to suggest is to tear down the buildings,” Atkins said. “They are significant from the perspective of where they’re located, when they were built, and what their restoration could really mean, contributing to the fabric of downtown.”
Councilman Jimmy Peluso is not on the special committee for downtown, but the Laura Street Trio is in his district. He said for him, demolition should be off the table.
“Jacksonville’s got history, we should really show it off,” Peluso said. “That’s one great way to get people downtown. So, to think that we would not move forward on this deal in the next couple of years and ignore the historical component of it is crazy.”
Morrissey hopes something positive is done with the buildings soon. She said if downtown continues to develop with the Laura Street Trio project at the helm, it would only mean good things for her business.
“I am hopeful because it’s becoming an eyesore,” Morrissey said. “And I think the more downtown gets developed that this will start to happen.”
The next date for the special committee has not yet been announced.
Click here to read the entire proposal.
Click here to view Monday’s meeting with the special committee.