by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The ink is still drying on a proposal that would transfer land ownership and more responsibilities to Jacksonville Landing owner Toney Sleiman, but the City Council is already salivating for the time when they’ll be able to review that pending arrangement.
As part of the multi-million dollar deal, ownership of the 11.2 acres under and adjacent to the waterfront mall would be acquired by the developer at no cost. In return, the City would be relieved of its legally binding obligations to the Landing, which include providing security, upkeep and parking.
The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and its Downtown and Design Review boards will have to approve the agreement first, but several Council members say they’re ready to lay it out and dig in.
“Essentially, we are looking at a cashless transfer and we obviously want to make sure this is a good investment for the City,” Council Vice President Kevin Hyde said. “But it’s worth noting that we stand to be relieved of some very expensive financial obligations that we, frankly, have not been addressing for some time. There is a real value to that.”
Hyde, an attorney, is almost certain to be elected Council president when Landing legislation reaches City Hall as early as August.
“There are some real positives being talked about right now,” he said, “and in my business it’s not uncommon to see arrangements like this move forward all the time.”
Still awaiting more details, Council members Suzanne Jenkins and Sharon Copeland said they have little issue with the general terms on the table.
“I need to engage in some careful revision, but I do think it’s very interesting from what I’m hearing,” said Jenkins, who represents a significant portion of the downtown area. “Just the idea of putting that very valuable waterfront property back on the tax rolls can add great benefit to the City. Right now I don’t really have any major concerns.”
Copeland, the chairman of the Land Use and Zoning Committee, was also supportive of being able to tax the Landing’s expensive $13.2 million property.
“I think it’s wonderful and I am really just ecstatic about the money that is going to be going towards things like our schools,” she said. “And, specifically in this situation, the City is in some serious debt and an arrangement like this will allow us to get out from underneath that and move forward.”
Copeland and Hyde were also pleased with the Landing’s impending makeover that will ultimately result in its mid-section being removed to allow access from Laura Street to the St. Johns River.
“Just from a design standpoint, I’m very excited about the possibilities,” Hyde said. “Opening up the middle like that is a nice idea and the parking element is going to be absolutely critical.”
Another facet of the Landing’s impending renovation will be a new 900-space parking garage to be built on a lot located between the mall and the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
“There are some good things going on right now,” Copeland said. “And I don’t think anyone can deny that a successful Landing won’t add to a more successful downtown.”
Council President Elaine Brown said was not prepared to publicly endorse any deal but that she “does want to see the Landing become a success.”
“I do, I really do,” Brown said. “We have a lot to consider, but (the Landing) is a part of downtown that we have to be prepared to support.”
Barring complications construction efforts at the Landing won’t happen for at least six months, Landing spokesperson Rachel Kaltenbach said.
“We’re happy to have reached an agreement that is fair to all parties. It was the right time for everyone,” Kaltenbach said. “But we’re not going to apply for any building permits before we have gone through the proper channels and gotten the necessary approval.
“However, our architects have been called and our plans are being put together as we speak. When it’s time to move forward, we’re going to be ready.”