by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Cameron Kuhn can finally get busy with his plans for Downtown Jacksonville.
Thursday’s agreement between the City and Landing owner Toney Sleiman paves the way for Northbank development, which means Kuhn’s 33-story, mixed-used complex and parking garage can break ground as early as July.
“I’m ready,” said the Orlando-based developer. “It’s about time, isn’t it?”
Kuhn bought the land across from the Landing and the Sun Trust Building in November. The parking garage slated for that site will supplement Kuhn’s River Watch at City Centre and provide 375 spaces for the Landing.
“This is all about the citizens of Jacksonville,” said Kuhn, who called
Jacksonville the diamond in the rough of all of America. “We wanted to make an investment in this town. We knew that it was ready for a special project that would come together and create synergy for other projects around the riverfront.”
The City has also agreed to sell the east lot — the land between the Hyatt and the Landing — to Sleiman, a move that will provide an additional 1,000 parking spaces. The land will be appraised and sold to Sleiman at fair-market value.
The objective, according to Sleiman’s lawyer Mitch Legler, is to put an end to the Landing controversy.
“We are working together to do what’s right for the city,” he said.
The deal was completed after Mayor John Peyton and Sleiman sat together Wednesday to “hammer out a way to get beyond this block,” according to Sleiman.
Legler said it was a “mano y mano” discussion.
“Our intent is to put this fight behind us. Now we can get Cameron Kuhn, the Hyatt and the Landing to sit down with a clean slate and create what’s best for Jacksonville,” said Legler.
Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Executive Director Ron Barton worked with Sleiman and the Office of General Counsel to spell out the terms, according to Legler.
“This will nearly quadruple the (parking) space currently available,” said Legler. “Going from 245 surface parking spaces to almost 1,375 will be a huge difference.”
Sleiman plans to build a parking garage on the east lot, which he claims will not resemble a garage.
“No parking garage will be visible,” said Sleiman, who says when all of this is done, he will finally be satisfied with the City.
“I think (the administration) saw the people of Jacksonville wanting something to happen Downtown,” he said, adding he credits the “thousands” of people who have sent him letters of support.
Sleiman also credits Council member Suzanne Jenkins for expediting the agreement.
“It’s great to have someone in this district behind us,” said Sleiman. “She is a champion of Jacksonville.”
Jenkins said all along all she ever wanted was for this deal to work out for the City.
“If the mayor and Toney are happy, them I’m happy,” she said. “It’s not about me, it’s not about the mayor, but it is about the getting the city developed while it’s on fire — and it is on fire.
“Developers are everywhere and I don’t want to get in their way. But we have guidelines they have to follow and I have full confidence in those guidelines.”
Jenkins, who serves on the Design Review Committee, says the Downtown master plan and zoning overlay give the City the power to work with developers .
“This could all be done a better way. (The City) doesn’t need to own (property) in order to control it. The master plan and zoning overlay give us those powers,” she said.
Jenkins said this ordeal, which has come to a head after years of negotiations, may have sent a big chill to developers. However, she hopes this resolution will demonstrate that the City can reach agreements beneficial to both sides.
“It shows people how it can work. If you come to Downtown, we are going to regulate, and let you develop,” she said.
Kuhn said he was never worried about the negotiations that now solve the City’s 20-year unmet parking obligation.
“It’s the way it’s done,” he said, noting the trend across the country of revitalizing downtown communities. “This City has everything you need to be spectacular. It’s amazing and we want to be part of that puzzle.”