City Council awarded Aventon Companies LLC, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based developer, a $250,000 city grant for its proposed $52 million apartment community near Jacksonville International Airport.
The Jacksonville City Council voted 19-0 on April 13 to approve Ordinance 2021-0192, which authorizes the incentive for drainage, sod, ditches and road base improvements to Ranch Road to support the 324-unit development.
The Council Finance and Rules committees signed off on the grant April 6.
Aventon Companies requested the public incentive through Jax North Apartment Owner LLC.
Documents filed with the bill state the money will come from the JIA Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund. The CRA’s advisory board voted 4-1 on Feb. 11 to recommend Council approve the project funding.
The city is reviewing 24 building permit applications for the Aventon Jacksonville North Apartments on 18.86 acres at 13163 Ranch Road at a cost of $26.4 million.
The proposed economic development agreement with the city lists the address as 14670 Duval Road.
Plans show 12 three-story apartment buildings, comprising nine 24-unit and three 36-unit structures.
There also are six six-car garages, a clubhouse and leasing office, a grill pavilion, a dog park pavilion, other structures and hardscape work.
The city issued a site-work permit Feb. 9 for $182,300. Aventon Holdings I LLC is listed as the business on the site-work permit.
A March 23 memo from Mayor Lenny Curry’s office filed with the Council legislation says the three-story buildings will have one-, two- and three- bedroom apartment homes and detached parking.
The product is “the first of its level in this underserved area,” the memo states.
The city documents list other amenities including a resort-size pool, cabanas, an activity lawn with outdoor yoga/fitness space, a pet spa, boardwalk and trail, electric car charging, remote workstations and a fitness center.
Blue Sky JAXAP LLC and title manager Gregory Morris own the property, according to county property records.
Morris announced plans in June 2019 for the Eagle Landings project on 29 acres, which includes the Aventon Companies site.
He said his plans comprise a $10 million full renovation of the adjacent 1980s-area Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel and additional commercial and apartment development.
At the time, Morris said he planned to sell the 18.86 acres.
Morris and an Aventon Companies representative did not respond to phone calls for comment.