The Southbank development project known as “Healthy Town” won’t be called that much longer.
The news came during a progress report on the former Southside Generating Station site Downtown presented Tuesday to the board of directors of JEA.
According to Michael Munz, partner in Elements Development of Jacksonville, 330 entries were submitted by the public during an online naming contest.
Several submissions recall Jacksonville’s earliest history as a location for cattle to cross the St. Johns River.
“We got a dozen ways to use ‘Cowford,’” Munz said.
Five finalists will be evaluated by focus groups and then the selection will be made. The winner of the contest will be publicly recognized with a site marker unveiled at the grand opening. The winner also will receive a one-year membership to “Base Camp,” described by the developers as a “breakthrough alternative” to a traditional clubhouse or town center.
Another new element for the site plan, Munz said, is “embracing” the Southbank and Northbank riverwalks to create a 7.9-mile round trip walk between the development and the Riverside Arts Market beneath the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Munz said he plans to work with the city for naming rights to the riverwalks.
The utility’s board approved in January sale of the 28.6-acre property to Elements for $18.6 million.
The Downtown Investment Authority on Aug. 26 approved a development rights agreement for the project, setting the stage for a final development agreement subject to ratification by City Council.
Nancy Kilgo, JEA director of government affairs, said “we are very pleased” with progress on the due diligence. The earliest closing date for the sale under the terms of the contract is March 13.
“Everything is right on the timeline,” she said.
The first phase of the project includes 500 apartments and condominiums, 200 hotel rooms, 200,000 square feet of office space and more than 94,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.
Elements partner Michael Balanky said the only portion of development entitlements not in place are permits for a 125-slip marina adjacent to the site.
He estimated the investment will total $400 million-$500 million when the project is complete.
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