Developers and siblings Bill and Barbara Cesery can point to a handful of successful projects in the Downtown area. Their latest project is the renovation of the old Main Library. Once completed, it’ll be known simply as “The Library.”
Bill and Barbara Cesery are actually siblings who come from a long family history of property developers and thick ties to the Jacksonville area. Cesery Boulevard in Arlington was rightly named after the family due to their heavy involvement in helping develop the area.
Bill and Barbara have developed several properties around town including The Lofts San Marco and Third & Main. But the one property the brother and sister duo perk up about and show most enthusiasm about is right in the heart of Downtown — the original library, which will be appropriately called none other than, The Library.
“Our vision is right on,” Barbara says. “It’s centrally located and is geared for citizens as well as tourists.”
“The Library has the chance to bring a type of synergy to Downtown,” Bill adds. “It will become more of a destination and it’ll change the quality of life for both visitors and residents.”
Cesery Companies has owned the property for over two years.
“We’ve taken care of the architects, permits, civil engineers and selective engineering,” Bill says. “We’ve even spent $100,000 in selective demolition. There are no question marks or surprises when dealing with construction.”
The only snag, if you could call it that, has to do with, surprise, the economy.
“Banks historically wanted you to have a certain amount of leases before they gave out a loan so you could start construction,” Barbara says. “But now with the economy, they want more in place.”
Barbara says that The Library has several letters of intent but they have to wait for more to transpire into actual leases. But they do have a few already established leases in place.
“So far we have a signed lease with a market and cafe that Burrito Gallery is involved with,” Barbara says. “We’re also working on a lease with a wine and tappas bar and a retail store. The slowest for us is getting office tenants on a lease. We’ve had tremendous interests though. I think when the construction actually starts on the building, we’ll have more.”
Barbara says the goal for starting construction is at the end of this year and will take about six months before it’s filled with occupants by fall 2010.
“I’d love to see The Library take on something like a town center,” Barbara says. “I like the idea of being able to run down for a bite to eat, do your grocery shopping and do business all right there. It’s convenience and luxury all in one.”