The city is reviewing a permit application for The Markets at Town Center to add a kayak launch at the pond behind REI – Recreational Equipment Inc.
No contractor is listed for the estimated $172,000 project at 4871 Town Center Parkway.
Hines Global REIT 4875 Town Center LLC is the property owner. Halff Associates Inc. is the civil engineer.
The project includes an aluminum gangway and floating dock.
In August 2020, Hines, owner of The Markets at Town Center, said it wanted to build an outdoor amenity center and a kayak launch for REI and other tenants that could use the features for products, training, classes and meetings.
Halff Associates said in a letter to the St. Johns River Water Management District that the project includes a covered outdoor seating area, wooden deck, concrete sidewalk and steps, and a floating dock for launching kayaks at the pond.
“It’s an amenity we are offering as a consumer experience,” said Helen Ciesla, Hines general property manager, as well as allowing customers and employees to gather in groups with social distancing.
She said in August 2020 that Hines is building the dock, kayak launch and outdoor seating, which can be a teaching area, for use by all tenants at The Markets at Town Center.
That includes REI and West Marine for outdoor gear and other tenants, such as Nordstrom Rack, for staff meetings and training.
Ciesla said Evan Douglas Construction Inc. is the general contractor and Serenity Brothers marine contractors will be executing the dock portion of the project.
The REI Jacksonville store manager said in August 2020 that the 9-acre lake was part of her vision to use the outdoor space behind the store.
The Jacksonville store was REI’s first Florida location when it opened in March 2013, she said. Its website shows it now has five in the state.
