by Sean McManus
Staff Writer
New York has the subways. Paris has catacombs. Below Portland, Ore. lies the snake-like Shanghai Tunnels. And Sarajevo actually has a Tunnel Museum.
But when Capt. Faye Jordan hears the word “tunnel,” she thinks about where she works - in Jacksonville’s own tunnel.
Built in 1975 at the same time as the SunTrust Building, it’s hard to tell the tunnel is even there. The southern entrance is big, but it doesn’t look like it leads to anything except the basement of the SunTrust building. The northern entrance? You couldn’t find it in a month because it’s almost hidden under a building almost two blocks away.
Let’s take you on a tour, starting at the corner of Bay and Hogan, where you walk down a few steps into what appears to be the entrance to the SunTrust basement.
John Combs, who has been cutting hair at his underground barber shop for 26 years, has the spot closest to the sunshine.
“When I moved in it was a brand new building — Atlantic National Bank — then First Union, then SunTrust,” said Combs. “I’ve got a lot of regular customers from being in business this long.”
Next door is Wade’s Place. Wade Niergarth bought the sandwich shop almost three years ago.
“Business is outstanding,” said Niergarth, “We’ve got quality food that people like. We’re even looking to expand.”
Riley Cooper has been shining shoes in the corner across the hall for seven years. Why is it called Master’s Shoeshine? “Because that’s the top of the line.”
There is an empty kiosk next to Wade’s that Molly Boyd, the property manager for the SunTrust building, said has 135 square feet and once housed a cappuccino stand.
“We’re at about 96 percent,” said Boyd, referring to the total amount of space being leased under her portion of the tunnel.
There is also a “break room” around the corner that is currently being used as a smoking lounge and mail room for SunTrust employees.
Next you reach the security room, which is on your right, where Jordan monitors 10 television screens showing video feeds from cameras pointed in all directions.
“I remember back in 1969 when the tellers at the Atlantic National Bank used to bring the money down here,” recalls Jordan. “That way they didn’t have to go outside with all that cash.”
Thus, the reason the tunnel was built: its northern terminus once was the Atlantic Bank, and what’s now is the SunTrust building once was the Atlantic’s new headquarters. So, to move money, the tunnel connected the two.
Jordan, a security guard for Weiser Security, the company that keeps an eye on the SunTrust building, is one of a handful of people who work below ground in the vicinity of Hogan Street between Bay and Forsyth streets.
On the left side is the law office of James Nipper. His assistant, Kelly Moore, said they have been in the tunnel over two years.
Move on. You’re now under Forsyth Street and the tunnel turns right, to the north, though you could take a left turn past doors that lead to the Center Square Garage.
The tunnel is now under 121 Atlantic Place (121 Forsyth Street). Built in 1909 to house the Atlantic National Bank, the building above it now serves as office space for its owner, Regency Centers, a Jacksonville-based real estate firm.
Regency rents space to Benny and Sara Bateh, who have been running a restaurant, Benny’s, in the tunnel for 16 years. Bateh and his daughter, Tracy, said they attract customers from Bank of America, BellSouth, First Union, SunTrust, Regency Realty and brokers such as Dean Witter.
The Batehs put a Peterbrooke Chocolatier store inside the restaurant four years ago. That was a move, Benny said, that definitely helps business during the holidays.
For those not in the know, the restaurant is fairly well hidden. To get to it, there’s an elevator in the back of the Kinko’s across the street on Forsyth Street, or by the stairs from the lobby of the Atlantic Place.
Becky Good, who manages the tunnel, the building and the annex next door for Regency, said they have recently upgraded the lighting in their portion of the tunnel. There are also plans to replace the wallpaper and carpet. As of now, Benny is the only tenant who isn’t using the space for storage.
“There is only one other spot down there that could potentially be converted,” said Good. Regency is currently renovating the first floor of 121 Atlantic Place for what they hope will be used for retail space.
The tunnel ends at a staircase, which leads up one flight. Suddenly, you find yourself just outside the Regency offices and a few steps from Forsyth St.
It’s not a long walk but, to the uninitiated, it can be a surprising finish.