by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
It’s gone from “let’s tear it down” to “let’s turn it into condominiums” to “let’s put in a chocolate factory” to “what are we going to do now?” when the chocolate factory interest in the deal melted.
The end to a process that began when the City issued a Request for Proposals in April 2005 came Tuesday when Main Branch, LLC closed on the purchase of the former Haydon Burns Library with plans to create a new mixed-use development in the urban core.
“I’m very pleased that we have reached an agreement that will preserve this unique historic building while providing commercial, office and retail space that will further enhance our Downtown,” said Mayor John Peyton in a statement released Wednesday by the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
Part of the agreement to buy the building for $3.25 million was that construction would begin within a year.
Main Branch partner Mark Rinaman said the exact date when the renovation and conversion will begin isn’t set because the design phase of the project was on hold until after the closing.
“You don’t spend a lot of money on the front end of a deal like this because you never know what might happen.”
Even though it will be a while before the sound of hammers and saws will be heard on the block between Adams, Ocean and Forsyth streets, the mixed-use part of the project is well underway.
A play, “Majigeen,” has had performances in the building’s auditorium on the second floor, with the final performances set for Friday and Saturday nights. The auditorium is one of the existing elements that may have to be sacrificed in order to provide more parking for 122 Ocean’s future tenants, clients and customers.
“We’d like to see the auditorium stay. It would make a great common area for the building, but it may become part of a parking deck,” said Rinaman.
He also said as soon as the play closes, the next step will be to get the building ready to host the Jacksonville Film Festival’s “Grey Goose Gala.” Having the party there also offers a marketing opportunity.
“Being just a block away from the Florida Theatre, we have the perfect location for the event. It will be exciting for six or seven hundred people to be able to see what we have here. It doesn’t get any better than that,” said Rinaman.
Main Branch partner Tony Allegretti declined to comment on specific potential tenants, but said his group is negotiating with several businesses that have expressed interest in moving into the new building when it’s compete.
“We prefer to let the new tenants make their own announcements,” he said.
The first venture that will open will most likely be the specialty grocery store and deli since Allegretti and his partners will own and manage it.
“But I think that’s still about a year away,” he said.