INSIDER
New Laura Street Trio developer, partner hopes to bring life back to buildings as city drops lawsuit
Read full article: New Laura Street Trio developer, partner hopes to bring life back to buildings as city drops lawsuitA foreclosure lawsuit filed by the city of Jacksonville against the developer of the Laura Street Trio was dropped on Monday, according to News4JAX news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Old Kmart in Mandarin closer to becoming new Home Depot after demolition permit approved
Read full article: Old Kmart in Mandarin closer to becoming new Home Depot after demolition permit approvedContractors have final approval to tear down old Kmart in Mandarin. Home Depot will replace the Kmart which is located at 9600 San Jose Boulevard.
City of Jacksonville seeks to foreclose on Laura Street Trio Downtown
Read full article: City of Jacksonville seeks to foreclose on Laura Street Trio DowntownThe City of Jacksonville is looking to foreclose on the historic Laura Street Trio according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Chili’s is (baby) back at Jacksonville International Airport with renovated restaurant
Read full article: Chili’s is (baby) back at Jacksonville International Airport with renovated restaurantThe Chili’s Grill & Bar inside the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) has officially reopened after undergoing expansions and renovations.
Jax River Jams, Sea & Sky Air Show among events not happening in 2024-25
Read full article: Jax River Jams, Sea & Sky Air Show among events not happening in 2024-25The head of Jacksonville’s Office of Sports and Entertainment said he’s working to fill the holes in the city’s events calendars after losing out on three sizeable local events, according to our news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
City of Jacksonville would give more than $15 million in incentives to help rebuild RISE Doro
Read full article: City of Jacksonville would give more than $15 million in incentives to help rebuild RISE DoroThe City of Jacksonville is looking into giving developers of the RISE Doro an incentive package that would help them rebuild after a devastating fire that destroyed portions of the building in January.
Residents excited for future of Regency Square Mall after learning about potential plan to demolish, redevelop
Read full article: Residents excited for future of Regency Square Mall after learning about potential plan to demolish, redevelopCommunity members said they are excited to hear about the potential plans to demolish and redevelop the Regency Square Mall.
Popular restaurant in downtown St. Augustine announces closure after 29 years
Read full article: Popular restaurant in downtown St. Augustine announces closure after 29 yearsA1A Ale Works, located on King Street in a prominent spot right next to the Bridge of Lions, said on social media it plans to close on May 26.
Shad Khan’s Shipyards project to include marina, event lawn, riverwalk
Read full article: Shad Khan’s Shipyards project to include marina, event lawn, riverwalkAs people across Jacksonville learn more about the new stadium deal, downtown development is also getting a lot of attention. Beyond EverBank Stadium upgrades, Jaguars owner Shad Khan is also investing in other projects.
Other stadium deals in the works for pro sports teams around the country
Read full article: Other stadium deals in the works for pro sports teams around the countryOur news partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record broke down the deals that the Bears, Bills, Chiefs, Titans and Rays have brokered with their respective cities.
Report: Forensic engineer to determine if RISE Doro ‘podium,’ garage can be reused
Read full article: Report: Forensic engineer to determine if RISE Doro ‘podium,’ garage can be reusedAfter last month’s devastating fire, RISE plans to bring in forensic engineers to determine if the concrete parking garage and "podium" at the Doro apartments Downtown can be reused.
This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - Could the River City become the fintech hub of the region?
Read full article: This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - Could the River City become the fintech hub of the region?Does Jacksonville’s personality change over time? Does its reputation? In the 20th century, Jacksonville was known as the banking headquarters for the state, and there were three major bank headquarters in downtown.
2 big downtown riverfront projects hit reset button due to rising costs
Read full article: 2 big downtown riverfront projects hit reset button due to rising costsDue to rising costs, two of the biggest housing developments that were set to be built in downtown Jacksonville are likely never going to happen, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record, News4JAX’s news partner.
Developer wants $22M city loan to help jumpstart long-delayed Laura Street Trio project downtown
Read full article: Developer wants $22M city loan to help jumpstart long-delayed Laura Street Trio project downtownThe status of a possible multimillion-dollar city investment into three downtown buildings is still up in the air.
Lake City-based company looking to revitalize Regency Square Mall as it seeks to buy most of troubled shopping center
Read full article: Lake City-based company looking to revitalize Regency Square Mall as it seeks to buy most of troubled shopping centerNews4JAX has learned the company interested in purchasing the Regency Square Mall after its current management of the shopping center put the mall up for sale after nine years of ownership.
2 storefronts to replace historic San Marco theatre that permanently closed after 84 years
Read full article: 2 storefronts to replace historic San Marco theatre that permanently closed after 84 yearsTwo storefronts are moving into what was once known as the home of the iconic San Marco Theater, which permanently closed its doors after eight decades.
Nearly 100-year-old plant where Ford Model T’s were assembled demolished; shipyard company will take its place
Read full article: Nearly 100-year-old plant where Ford Model T’s were assembled demolished; shipyard company will take its placeSome more of Jacksonville’s history is now gone. The nearly 100-year-old Ford Motor plant site has been demolished.
New rooftop fish and oyster restaurant planned for Publix shopping center in San Marco
Read full article: New rooftop fish and oyster restaurant planned for Publix shopping center in San MarcoA new fish and oyster restaurant is coming to San Marco and will move into a two-story cornerstone spot next to Publix.
Report: City says USS Orleck has 3 months to move from riverfront
Read full article: Report: City says USS Orleck has 3 months to move from riverfrontThe USS Orleck has three months to relocate from its current spot at the Hyatt Regency, according to our reporting partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Report: Jaguars, city must approve any stadium name change after TIAA Bank sale
Read full article: Report: Jaguars, city must approve any stadium name change after TIAA Bank saleAfter TIAA on Wednesday announced it is selling its Jacksonville-based bank to a group of investment funds, the next question many were asking was: How does that affect the name of the Jaguars’ stadium?
EverBank Field to TIAA Bank Field to ???: TIAA Bank to be renamed after sale
Read full article: EverBank Field to TIAA Bank Field to ???: TIAA Bank to be renamed after saleTIAA on Wednesday announced it is selling its Jacksonville-based bank to a group of investment funds, News4JAX news partner Jacksonville Daily Record reported.
Scarlett O’Hara’s co-owner says deal could not be made on lease: report
Read full article: Scarlett O’Hara’s co-owner says deal could not be made on lease: reportIn an interview with the Jacksonville Daily Record, the co-owner of the beloved Scarlett O’Hara’s restaurant and bar in St. Augustine said there were issues coming to terms with a new lease — and there’s a chance it might find a new home.
Could former Jacksonville Landing site soon be home of multi-million-dollar high-rise?
Read full article: Could former Jacksonville Landing site soon be home of multi-million-dollar high-rise?The Downtown Investment Authority has agreed to start negotiations with a developer to build a multi-million-dollar high-rise on the site of the former Jacksonville Landing.
Daily Record: Hanania has contract to buy former Stein Mart HQ
Read full article: Daily Record: Hanania has contract to buy former Stein Mart HQJack Hanania, the owner of the Jacksonville-based Hanania Automotive Group, has a contract to by the former Stein Mart building on the Southbank, according to an article by the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Work begins to demolish 18-story riverfront eyesore
Read full article: Work begins to demolish 18-story riverfront eyesoreMore than a dozen years after construction of a riverfront high-rise condominium project was idled by a collapse that killed one worker and injured more than a dozen others, the 18-story skeleton will begin coming down.
Chick-fil-A plans restaurant on University Boulevard West
Read full article: Chick-fil-A plans restaurant on University Boulevard WestJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Chick-fil-A Inc. of Atlanta has bought the former Krispy Kreme property on University Boulevard West near Interstate 95, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The newspaper said the company bought the 1.31-acre site for $1.275 million and the city issued a permit Dec. 7 for Realco Recycling Co. to demolish the former 3,123-square-foot donut shop at a cost of $50,000. In other Chick-fil-A news... The newspaper also reported the chain has filed plans with the city to remodel its 4625 Town Center Parkway restaurant near St. Johns Town Center. The project is part of Chick-fil-A’s plans to improve customer service and restaurant operations to include a building addition with interior and exterior renovations and a dual-lane drive-thru and canopy.
Report: St. Johns County’s approved Amazon facility could open next year
Read full article: Report: St. Johns County’s approved Amazon facility could open next yearST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An Amazon last-mile distribution center approved by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners in September could open by the 2021 holiday season, according to a report from the Florida Times-Union. News4Jax news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record reported in September that the center would create 350 jobs. A representative for the applicant told commissioners at a Sept. 15 meeting that the facility will employ 150 full-time workers and about 200 distribution drivers. Wages will be an “industry leading pay at $15 per hour,” he said. A report from the Florida Times-Union on Saturday included an interview with the county’s deputy administrator for economic development, who said Amazon hopes to have the St. Johns County facility ready for operations for next year’s holiday season.
USS Orleck Naval Museum welcome center gets preliminary OK
Read full article: USS Orleck Naval Museum welcome center gets preliminary OKJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Downtown Development Review Board has approved plans to build a temporary welcome center and office space for USS Orleck DD-886 Naval Museum proposed for the city-owned Shipyards property, Jacksonville Daily Record reports. The board voted 8-0 on Thursday to approve a 90-by-50-foot modular building off Pier 1 for the Jacksonville Historic Naval Ship Association’s warship museum. The vote came after the board added a condition that the nonprofit return to DDRB in three years to extend approval for a temporary building or submit designs for a permanent center. Naval Ship Association plans to tow the USS Orleck from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Jacksonville. After regulatory approval, the Naval Ship Association has several steps to take before it can tow the USS Orleck from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Jacksonville.
St. Johns County developer branches out with treehouse hotel
Read full article: St. Johns County developer branches out with treehouse hotelA St. Johns County developer is going out on a limb with his next project. Developer Jim Bacon recently wrapped up work on Bacon Self Storage on Wildwood Drive off State Road 207, according to our news partners with the Jacksonville Daily Record, and now he wants to branch out — with a treehouse hotel nestled in the woods behind the storage facility. The villas would be as large as 400 square feet a piece, Bacon told the Daily Record, and each would come with a bedroom, bathroom, living space, kitchen, porch, and hot tub. “Right now it’s a pretty big pipe dream,” Bacon told the newspaper. “My wife thinks I’m crazy.”Learn more about this proposed development by reading the Daily Record’s report.
Developer & city panel find compromise on fate of River City Brewing Company
Read full article: Developer & city panel find compromise on fate of River City Brewing CompanyJacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority voted Wednesday afternoon to allow a Miami-based developer to proceed with plans for a $90 million, 335-unit complex next to Friendship Foundation, a project that would involve the demolition of River City Brewing Company. Some background: The city, which owns the land where the restaurant sits, gave a 99-year lease to the owner of River City Brewing Company in 1998. The first plans unveiled by The Related Group included the aforementioned luxury apartment complex, but no restaurant or retail space. I’m glad there’s a cap at $500,000.”Unlike River City Brewing Company, the new restaurant would not sit right on the water, representatives for the developers said. For the time being, River City Brewing Company remains open as does the marina.
Amazon announces plan to open additional warehouse in Jacksonville
Read full article: Amazon announces plan to open additional warehouse in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Amazon announced Wednesday it plans to open an additional fulfillment center in Jacksonville. The company said the site, anticipated to launch in fall of 2021, will create more than 500 new full-time jobs. The announcement did not include a location but Jacksonville Daily Record reports it will be in Imeson Park on the city’s Northside. Amazon has also pledged to invest over $700 million to provide upskilling training for 100,000 U.S. employees for in-demand jobs. In addition, these investments also created 29,000 indirect jobs from jobs in construction and logistics to professional services.
Daily Record: Stein Mart lays off substantial number of employees in Jacksonville
Read full article: Daily Record: Stein Mart lays off substantial number of employees in JacksonvilleJACKSONVILLE, Fla. Stein Mart on Tuesday said it was laying off a substantial number of associates at its Jacksonville headquarters, according to a report by the Jacksonville Daily Record. Its unclear exactly how many workers were impacted. Linda Tasseff, a spokesperson for Stein Mart, told the Record that the decision was fueled by the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant financial distress on our business.Before the pandemic began, the Jacksonville-based business had 375 employees working in its corporate office. In April, the company announced it was laying off most of its 8,600 employees in its stores and supply chains.
Prominent Jacksonville attorney buys Folio Weekly
Read full article: Prominent Jacksonville attorney buys Folio WeeklyJACKSONVILLE, Fla. A little over a month ago, Folio Weekly announced it was shutting down due to an economic freefall. A week ago, that changed when it announced it was making a comeback as Folio Weekly 2.0. On Monday, News4Jax learned that its Attorney John Phillips whos giving the magazine a second life. As first reported by News4Jaxs news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record, Phillips is hiring writers and staff, and he hopes to have a print issue out in July. Were hiring, looking for people to give the rich diversity of Folio Weekly and bring it back such that people can tell stories and celebrate the positive in Jacksonville, he told the Daily Record. pic.twitter.com/mzA61lYibM Folio Weekly (@folioweekly) June 9, 2020Phillips told the Record he hopes to create an archive of Folio stories that will be available online.
New renderings, details for Lot J and Shipyards development unveiled
Read full article: New renderings, details for Lot J and Shipyards development unveiledJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Renderings of the first two phases of development of Lot J near TIAA Bank Stadium, the Shipyards and a previously unannounced residential expansion north of Lot J was laid out in a presentation this week to the Meninak Club of Jacksonville, according to a report from News4Jax news partner the Jacksonville Daily Record. The $450 million to $500 million Phase I of Lot J is made up of the Live! Arena entertainment venue, a 200-unit boutique hotel and 700 residential units, the Daily Record reported. Phase II is west of Lot J at what is a retention pond at North Georgia Street and Gator Bowl Boulevard. Smith told the Daily Record that crews could begin environmental remediation at Lot J by summer, but he doesn’t expect vertical construction until June 2021.
Plans for 2nd phase of Lot J development are already being made
Read full article: Plans for 2nd phase of Lot J development are already being madeJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars’ president and Mayor Lenny Curry’s office haven’t yet announced a development deal for Lot J in Downtown Jacksonville, but plans are already underway for a second phase. According to a report by the Jacksonville Daily Record, Jaguars President Mark Lamping outlined the Phase II concept during an interview. One tower would be residential and the other would be corporate office space, Lamping told the Daily Record. The mayor told News4Jax earlier this month that his team are nearing a deal on the first phase of the Lot J development, which sits next to TIAA Bank Field. Curry has said Phase I will be a mixed-use development with a live entertainment complex, a hotel and restaurant, plus residential space and an office building.
Cracker Barrel buys Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36 million
Read full article: Cracker Barrel buys Maple Street Biscuit Company for $36 millionJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville-based Maple Street Biscuit Company has been acquired by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. for $36 million in cash, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported Friday. Cracker Barrel said in a media release that Moore will remain CEO of the Maple Street chain. We have long admired Maple Street Biscuit Company with its emphasis on made-from-scratch food and hospitality, Cracker Barrel CEO Sandra Cochran said in the release. Moore said the acquisition by Cracker Barrel will help Maple Street grow. Cochran said the companys Holler & Dash restaurants showed the breakfast and lunch fast casual segment is an attractive market, which led to its interest in Maple Street, the Daily Record reported.
Topgolf in Jacksonville will add a mini golf course, report says
Read full article: Topgolf in Jacksonville will add a mini golf course, report saysJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Topgolf Jacksonville is "shrinking" the game by adding a 12-hole miniature golf course outside and next to the building! The mini golf course is expected to open by early next year, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The new addition will be the perfect spot for any birthday party or just a fun day out with family and friends, Topgolf said. The Chicago location has already tested the courses. Prices at that location are $5 for kids 12 and under, and $6 for adults.
Sears plans to shutter its location at The Avenues mall
Read full article: Sears plans to shutter its location at The Avenues mallSpencer Platt/Getty ImagesJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The parent company of Sears expects to shutter the department store's location at The Avenues mall this winter, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. A company spokesperson told the Daily Record that the store plans to begin liquidating its inventory this month with the closure anticipated to happen midway through December. "After careful review, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to close the Sears store in Jacksonville, Florida," spokesperson Larry Costello said in a statement. News of the closure comes a month after parent company Transform Holdco signaled that it would close 21 Sears locations in October. Jacksonville Daily Record
Prep work for Landing demolition to begin, according to Jacksonville Daily Record
Read full article: Prep work for Landing demolition to begin, according to Jacksonville Daily RecordJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Prep work for the Jacksonville Landing demolition will start in the next two weeks, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. The Daily Record reported Plant City-based contractor D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc. has received notice to start site work within the next 10 days. According to the Jacksonville Daily Record, fencing will start to go up around the Landing on August fifth. Several things need to be taken care of before demolition can start, the Daily Record reported. Currently, there is not an exact timeline for when demolition will officially start but the work will take several months.
Culver's restaurant officially opens in Middleburg
Read full article: Culver's restaurant officially opens in MiddleburgCLAY COUNTY, Fla. - Culvers restaurant has officially opened in Northeast Florida! Franchise owner Don Lichte and his daughter opened Culver's doors at 9:00 a.m. on Monday in Middleburg. Culver's restaurant serves burgers, cheese curds, shakes and more. Click here to make your mouth water. 1767 Blanding Blvd Middleburg, FL 32068Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.
Daily Record: Vystar plans to put name on tower in August
Read full article: Daily Record: Vystar plans to put name on tower in AugustJACKSONVILLE, Fla. - VyStar plans to remove the SunTrust logo from a downtown tower it purchased nearly a year ago and replace it with its own signage sometime in August, according to an article in the Jacksonville Daily Record. The city issued permits on Friday for Brown Enterprise to put up four signs, the Daily Record said. The signs include placement on revolving doors and on the parking garage entrance. Judy Waltz told the Record it should take most of August to place the signage on the 23-story tower on Laura Street. Read the full story on the Daily Record's website.