• A popular beach restaurant is getting a downtown location. Shelby’s Coffee House has been awarded the rights to operate the restaurant in the new library and expects to be ready for the Nov. 12 opening. The original Shelby’s is at the “four corners” where Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach meet, right across from Pete’s Bar.
• Remember Larry Zenke, the school superintendent before John Fryer? He’s still living at Hidden Hills and doing a lot of consulting work.
• The redevelopment agreement between the City and Landmar for the Shipyards project is signed, sealed and delivered. It’s dated June 28, 2005 and it’s 43 pages long with 17 exhibits. Phase I will consist of everything west of Hogan’s Creek while Phase II will encompass everything east of Hogan’s Creek. The project calls for six public “historic parks” and one public pier. Per the agreement, Phase I has to start no later than June 28, 2007 and Phase II must be underway by June 28, 2010.
• A faulty railroad crossing gate made for some jumpy commuters in San Marco Wednesday morning. The gate on San Marco Boulevard got stuck with the arms down, bells clanging and lights flashing for about five minutes after a train rolled through. After a long wait, the cars started edging across the tracks. Even a school bus chanced the crossing. No kids on board, though.
• The Javarama coffee stand in the Omni is now offering Nathan’s Famous hotdogs. The franchise offers the dogs at its Florida Coastal School of Law location but don’t look for Nathan’s Famous to make an appearance at the Bank of America Javarama. Their lease doesn’t allow it.
• Jacksonville Community Council Inc. has completed its 64th citizen-lead study. “River Dance: Putting the River in the River City” is a report on the protection and responsible use of the St. Johns River. The six-month study will be released on July 26.
• A wide brick walkway in front of the new Main Library and JMoMA has been installed. It’s okay to walk on it.
• Public relations and consulting firm The McCormick Agency is expanding, literally. Owner Paul McCormick said he plans to install brick pavers in front of his Riverside office that’s actually an old converted house. He wants to make a conference room out of an old garage there, too.