by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
When the Downtown Development Authority convened for the first time ever at St. Johns Cathedral Wednesday morning, the setting was so apropos. While business was being conducted within the elegant walls of the Cathedral’s assembly hall, the distinct sound of heavy equipment drummed rhythmically through the building’s ancient walls.
Inside, people gathered to celebrate the events outside. Inside, speeches were made and received with applause. Outside, bulldozers moved dirt, bricks were laid and paint spread. Inside, the new residents of the much anticipated and long-planned The Parks at The Cathedral project accepted welcome mats. Outside, preparations are being made for dozens more.
After well over a decade in the making, The Parks at The Cathedral townhome project is finally reality. Wednesday marked “completely done” for a few of the townhomes and just about everybody who had a hand in the project attended the meeting/grand opening celebration.
“Personally, this has taken 10 years to happen,” said Audrey Moran, Mayor John Delaney’s chief of staff. “When I joined the DDA in 1992 [she was appointed by former mayor Ed Austin] it was my first project. I’ve followed it ever since. This is a very, very happy day.”
Although Moran has followed the project, helped when necessary and gets some of the credit for making The Parks happen, she’s also quick to spread the praise.
“This vision St. Johns Cathedral had long before downtown began its Renaissance and through the perseverance of the leadership at the Cathedral is what made this happen,” said Moran, adding the Cathedral leadership always believed residents would be the precursor to a reinvigorated downtown Jacksonville. “It took a long time for people to buy into that vision.”
While Moran, attorney Mark Hulsey, architect Jack Diamond and many others worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition, it’s impossible to discount the simple, single and selfless act of Gus Weltsek, the former Dean of St. Johns Cathedral. At the urging of Weltsek and with his blessing, the Cathedral donated the land for the 63 units.
“The thought process was, St. Johns Cathedral would act as the catalyst to bring people back downtown. To make it vital and alive again, you needed downtown housing,” said Weltsek, drawing an incongruous comparison between Philadelphia and Detroit and Jacksonville — three cities he has personally seen attempt to revitalize their downtowns. “Philadelphia was helped by the bicentennial [in 1976]. They brought people in before retail. They homesteaded them homes for $3,000 and gave them three to four years to bring them up to code. Detroit did it the wrong way. They built the Renaissance Center, hotels and stores before they brought in residents. People would walk around during lunch and leave.
“Jacksonville is doing a perfect combination of both. There will be more retail and restaurants to follow.”
Hulsey, a partner at Smith Hulsey & Busey, kidded that project is located on Jacksonville’s highest point.
“It’s 14 feet above sea level and we call it Billy Goat Hill,” said Hulsey. “It’s a very important project and it proves dreams come true. It’s a classic example of a public/private partnership.”
The $8.2 million project was funded in part through public funds in the form of a $3 million grant from the City and infrastructure assistance. The other $5.2 million was funded privately in conjunction with Bank of America and several other private business partners the bank was able to coordinate.