Here’s a monthly update for our 1st DownTown Jacksonville supporters:
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE SHIPYARDS
Activity is picking up at the Jacksonville Shipyards. Our construction fencing is up, and we have a new entrance to the marina access road via Gator Bowl Boulevard, plus permits to start site work.
Keep an eye on the land as we anticipate site mobilization activities ramping up in mid-to-late November following the Florida v. Georgia game.
RAISING THE ROOF
The vaulted beams of Miller Electric Center’s roof structure are in place! The 96,000-square-foot indoor practice field is underway, opening into a 9,420-square-foot weight room and second-floor, 1,910-square-foot cardio deck. Next up inside the sports performance center is the installation of the hydrotherapy recovery pools. As for the outside? Construction of the fan amenity zone, complete with 2,000-seat grandstands.
For more about our construction, click here.
AN OCEANFRONT ACQUISITION
Earlier this month, Shad Khan’s investment entity, Iguana Investments, entered a letter of intent to purchase the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn, Lemon Bar, and nearby properties in Neptune Beach. The property owners first met with Iguana Investments in March to express their desire to transfer ownership and operations of the properties to a party with the appropriate financial resources and commitment to ensuring a promising future for the popular Beaches Town Center destination.
While plans for the property are still in development, Khan envisions an investment that will be consistent with what exists today — a boutique beach hotel, restaurant, parking, and other public amenities.
“I have great faith in the future of Jacksonville, from downtown to the beaches and all the neighborhoods in between,” Shad Khan said. “I’ve always appreciated the unique vibe of the Beaches Town Center community and it means a lot to me to play a small role in the community’s continued growth, just as we are with the development of Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront.
Iguana will engage with local stakeholders in the Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Beaches Town Center community as the transaction proceeds through the necessary inspections and due diligence. Following the closing, Iguana intends to hire a management company to maintain the operations of all properties as they currently exist. Terms and Conditions of the agreement are confidential and will not be disclosed. For full details, click here.
BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
Our fourth Construction Ready class kicked off this month. Sixteen area students are tracking to graduate November 4 upon completion of the 20-day training program, with eight construction industry-recognized certifications. We recently caught up with the class during an instructor-led, hands-on workshop.
