Managing Editor
The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is scheduled to review projects for Brooks Health System and Main Street Development Inc. as well as review The KingSoutel Crossing Community Redevelopment Plan this week.
The commission meets at 9 a.m. Thursday at City Hall in Suite 400.
The projects include:
• A request by Genesis Health Inc., doing business as Brooks Health System at 3599 University Blvd. S., to borrow up to $65 million in Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds. The funds would be used for two primary purposes. They would refinance the costs of the acquisition, construction and installation of a fitness and wellness center that was gifted to the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast and is operated as a social services center providing health, physical therapy services, fitness, child care and youth and family programs.
The funds also would be used to finance or refinance the acquisition, construction and improvements for home health services, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehabilitation centers and Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital.
The project was approved by the JEDC Industrial Revenue Bond Review Committee in May and approved by City Council in June.
• A request by Main Street Development Inc., whose principals are Andre and Carla Bahri, for the JEDC to approve a resolution of support for the redevelopment agreement and allocation of development rights for construction of a one-story gas station and convenience store with 12 gas pumps at Main and State streets Downtown.
The developer proposes almost $100,000 in public improvements that include a transit-information kiosk, sales of Jacksonville Transportation Authority transit pass programs, awnings and canopies over adjacent public sidewalk areas, palms and shrubs, adjustment of entrances, directional signage, a bicycle rack and outdoor seating. Main Street Development anticipates hiring eight full-time and three part-time employees.
• A review and discussion of The KingSoutel Crossing Community Redevelopment Plan. The KingSoutel Crossing is a new Community Redevelopment Area in Northwest Jacksonville.
The area includes the New Kings Road and Interstate 295 interchange, the Pritchard Road and I-295 interchange, and parcels in between that front and surround New Kings Road, Soutel Drive and Pritchard Road.
The area also includes parcels around Soutel Drive and Moncrief Road.
The redevelopment plan documents said the plan was formed through the Northwest Jacksonville Vision Plan. According to a JEDC memorandum, former Council member Mia Jones, now a state representative, led the creation of the community redevelopment area defining the area as “underserved in housing, retail and commercial development.”
The redevelopment strategy calls for signage and streetscape improvements, development of large “catalyst” projects and creation of mixed-use and pedestrian-oriented projects.
The project memorandum to the JEDC outlines four districts: The New Kings Road District, with improvement costs estimated at $9.9 million; the Soutel Place District, with improvement costs estimated at $6 million; the Old Kings Road District, with improvement costs estimated at $1.1 million; and the Pritchard Road District, at estimated improvement costs of $575,000.
According to the memo, the New Kings Road District is the commercial gateway for the area.
The Soutel Place District is envisioned with shops, entertainment, housing and civic and recreational uses with two sites for large “catalyst/placemaking” projects.
The Old Kings Road District is defined as an area for low-density workforce housing.
The Pritchard Road District is a setting for industrial development, including a 52-acre shopping center with outparcels and a big-box anchor store.
The JEDC said a potential funding source is tax increment financing, although it might take time.
“Due to the state of the economy and stagnant growth, the TIF for this area will be slow to create a generous revenue stream for some time,” according to the memo.
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