by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
The JEA Downtown Chilled Water Plant, located on the block bordered by Clay, Church, Broad and Duval streets, is halfway to completion. Construction on the $8.3 million plant began in 2002.
Independent Square, one of the targeted private office and retail buildings targeted by JEA, has written a letter of consent to use the chilled water system instead of replacing their central air systems.
Landing owner Tony Sleiman has also agreed to use the newest JEA service instead of replacing the large air conditioning units used to cool The Landing.
“I think it gets rid of more equipment, it’s cleaner and it’s just a good system,” said Sleiman. “It’s the system of the future.”
By using the system, building owners are able to use more of their space for retail or office space purposes instead of housing “massive air conditioning equipment.”
“My people say it will help a lot,” said Sleiman. “My bigger units, it’s time to start replacing them. It’s the best way to do it because you don’t have to have all that room. You can...tie into their system.”
When renovations are complete, JEA estimates the chilled water system will save the development $1 million.
Ron Whittington, brand management media coordinator for JEA, said, “It’s a win-win situation for the property owner. They can take their old cooling system out and use that space. It’s not really cheaper in billing, but they have the benefit of new square footage.”
According to the JEA’s Dave Karlovich, The Peninsula and The Strand, the proposed downtown housing developments on the Southbank, are JEA’s next targets for the installation of the chilled water system.
According to a JEA fact sheet on the system, it is ideal for apartments, condos and hotels because the 39 to 43 degree water temperature allows for better dehumidification which ultimately improves mold control.
The current plant on Hogan Street supplies the Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Alltel Stadium and the privately-owned Amsterdam Sky Cafe. The JEA hopes to expand to the Southbank and the Jacksonville International Airport.