by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Redevelopment legislation for Laura Place could be put in the City Council hot seat soon.
One of several projects gunning for a low interest City loan and a hefty grant from the Historic Trust Fund, the development plan for the Marble Bank, Bisbee and Florida Life buildings has already been given the thumbs up by the Downtown Development Authority, the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Society and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
“The important thing to realize is that the City is finally taking a much needed interest in restoring those buildings,” said Michael Munz, a representative for the project. “They really are three of the most historically significant buildings in Jacksonville, and right now they are literally crumbling to the ground.”
According to Munz, the refurbished buildings bordering West Adams and Laura streets would meet historic guidelines, a major factor in securing a grant, including window, door and facade standards representative of the original architecture of Henry J. Klutho.
“We have dealt with all of the historic issues,” he said.
Billed as a mixed-use historic preservation project, retail, residential and parking components have been incorporated into the approximately $35 million design plans.
Of that, developers Signet Developers Ltd. have requested a “gap financing,” Low-interest $11 million City loan, and a $3 million grant from the Historic Trust Fund.
“If things go well, we would like to have something introduced by late January or early February,” said Munz. “From there it will just have to go through the usual Council process.”
Council member Suzanne Jenkins said she looks forward to looking at bill and said it would likely have the interest of several other Council members.