• Legislation has been drafted to transfer the title and operational responsibilities of the St. Johns River Ferry from the Jacksonville Port Authority to the City. Documents for a quit claim deed and special warranty deed also have been drafted. The St. Johns River Ferry Commission will oversee the service’s operations and seeks funding for its long-term success. The port will discontinue operations Sept. 30.
• St. John & Partners will be the Daytona International Speedway’s media planning and buying agency for the 2013 racing year. The 480-acre facility is known as the “World Center of Racing” and is home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – the DAYTONA 500. The Jacksonville-based agency will create and implement an integrated media strategy to promote major racing events through advertising and online marketing in Florida and key Southeastern markets.
• BRIO Tuscan Grille announced it will open its St. Johns Town Center restaurant Aug. 20. It’s at 4910 Big Island Drive.
• The City approved renovations to build out former Food Lions at 5751 N. Main St. and 7200 Normandy Blvd. as Save-A-Lot stores. The project costs a total of $450,000.
• In restaurant news: The City OK’d permits for renovation of space at 13470 Beach Blvd. for Firehouse Subs, for The Salty Fig at 901 King St. and roofing for Zaxby’s at 4210 University Blvd. S. The City also has been reviewing plans for Goozlepipe & Guttyworks at 910 and 914 King St., a 12,000-square-foot project.