• LandMar CEO Ed Burr said he and the City are still negotiating on a possible deal that would have the development firm take over the stalled Shipyards project from TriLegacy. Barr said he expects to be hammering out details right up until his mid-December deadline. Whether it’s Burr or the City in control, expect noticeable improvements to the land before the Super Bowl, said Burr.
• With the Jags playing their only night game of the year on Sunday, expect plenty of pyrotechnics. There will be a big laser show plus fireworks at halftime.
• It was suggested at Wednesday’s Cornerstone luncheon that new Chairman of International Development George Gabel, an executive partner with Holland and Knight law firm, could make a big splash by luring away his firm’s headquarters from Tampa to Jacksonville. Just one problem with that strategy: Holland and Knight doesn’t have a headquarters. Gabel said people have been mistakenly identifying Tampa as the firm’s home base since 2002. That’s when former managing partner Bill McBride, who lives in Tampa, ran for governor.
• The Jacksonville Port Authority expects to spend about $43 million to build a car processing plant designated for Mercedes. A low-interest State Infrastructure Bank loan will cover the cost.
• Catherine Bardes has been hired as public relations associate at Jason Mudd and Associates Public Relations and Marketing. Bardes was previously the marketing coordinator for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
• The law offices of Harris, Guidi, Rosner, Dunlap, Rudolph, Catlin and Bethea have been preparing for their annual holiday party tonight. Several large tents have been put up in the office’s parking lot.
• The stadium is getting a cleaning job. The exterior is being pressure washed and, in some places, a new coat of paint.
• Cannon’s new digs in the Elks building should be ready for the architecture firm to move in Dec. 18.
• The Chamber’s Downtown Council has its annual meeting Friday morning. There will be the change of officers and some awards, plus speaker John Wood of Sally Industries. It’s at the River City Brewing Company.