from staff
Developer Ben Carter told the Daily Record on Monday that he is talking with Mayor John Peyton about the possibility of developing an entertainment center at the Shipyards property downtown.
Carter, developer of the St. Johns Town Center, said he envisions a wave pool, carousel, ferris wheel, roller coaster, restaurants, arts and seafood markets and other family-friendly attractions on the 40 riverfront acres along East Bay Street.
“I am just sharing with the mayor what I think will work,” said Carter.
Peyton spokesperson Misty Skipper said Tuesday that Carter has shared with Peyton his visions of spurring Downtown development. However, she said nothing could be planned until the City took ownership of the property.
The Shipyards property is wrapped up in bankruptcy proceedings. The City expects to take ownership once the proceedings conclude.
“Obviously he is an expert in retail development, but at this point, we don’t even own the property. But it is part of a conversation we have been having.” said Skipper. “We expect to get that property, but when that occurs, we don’t know yet.”
In a roundtable interview with Daily Record reporters, Carter estimated the development would cost $20 million. He said he did not want to own the property.
Carter is based in Atlanta and lives part-time in the Jacksonville area, he said. He chaired the Retail Task Force that contributed to the City’s 2007 Downtown Action Plan.
He said he has been talking with Peyton to share ideas.
“I have been in talks with him and I came down and volunteered. I said, I did this task force and am half-retired. I love the area. I volunteered to start sharing some ideas with him to see if I can help,” he said.
Carter said downtown development depends on demographics, such as attracting young professionals and families.
He referred to the Wave Waterpark near San Diego and the Celebrations restaurant and club center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., as examples of what might work.
“They are little mini amusement parks with retail and restaurants. It’s really pretty cool,” he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be more than $20 million, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.”
Skipper said the City doesn’t have funding to move forward now, “but it is important to look at opportunities in the future.”