Arlington-based Impact Church can move ahead with its Regency Square Mall build-out.
The city issued a building permit April 2 for the $5 million Phase I interior renovation of the church space at 9501 Arlington Expressway.
Pittsburgh-based Sauer Inc. is the contractor for the project. It has a Jacksonville office.
Impact Church of Jacksonville Inc. paid $7 million in August 2016 for the former Belk store space at Regency Square Mall.
“We are so excited to not only grow in a new facility, but to also be a part of the renaissance of a mall that is near and dear to all our hearts.” Bishop George Davis, senior pastor, said in a news release upon the purchase.
The church said the almost 200,000-square-foot space will become The Impact Center to function as the international headquarters for the church.
At the time, the church expected to complete Phase 1 of the new auditorium with plans to move in as early as the third quarter of 2017.
Regency Square is the area’s oldest regional shopping center. Belk closed its store there in February 2015 and opened in a new center east along Atlantic Boulevard.
Impact Church sold a portion of its property at 8985 Lone Star Road to Global Outreach Charter Academy Inc., through Regency Charter Property LLC, on Sept. 13 for $6.1 million.
The church had plans to provide amenities for its members and the Arlington community at Regency Square that include:
• A 2,500-seat performing arts center that will expand to 4,000 seats by 2020.
• Open gathering areas.
• Several restaurants, stores and business offices.
• Indoor community and athletic space, along with neighborhood athletics, mentoring, tutoring and crisis intervention.
• A Christian bookstore and café.
• A fellowship and entertainment venue with game rooms, pool tables, a movie screen, concession area and lounge area that will be designed to specifically reach 18- to 29-year-olds but suitable for all ages.
• Children’s facilities.
• Areas designated for junior and senior high students.
• The administrative headquarters of George Davis Ministries and Impact Ministries.
• Broadcast and production facilities for media production and distribution.
Impact Church said in February it would expand to the mall to benefit the church and the Arlington community at large.
“Our church and community leaders know the impact of this move means commercial growth and revitalization for the local businesses and the community it serves,” Davis said then.
He said the church believes its expansion into the former Belk property will be positive for Arlington and the mall.
The church said more information is at icjax.com.
Impact Church, which is nondenominational, said it was founded in August 1996 in Jacksonville by Bishop Keith A. Butler. Senior pastors are George and April Davis.
