TD Auto Finance, which had been looking for additional office space, has decided to renovate its existing space in the Deerwood North office park.
The city is reviewing a building permit application for a $1.3 million renovation for TD Auto Finance’s 28,635 square feet of space at 4600 Touchton Road E.
TD Bank spokeswoman Jennifer Morneau confirmed Thursday that the company has renewed the lease for the TD Auto Finance operations and would renovate its existing space.
“This reflects TD’s commitment to the Florida market and our role as a leading financial institution in the area,” said Morneau, corporate communications manager.
She said the goal is to update the space with TD’s standards for its regional properties and create a more comfortable working environment for its employees. She said it will install new carpets and finishes, add more energy-efficient lighting and renovate public spaces.
TD Auto Finance will continue to operate at the site during renovations.
Plans show the “TD Auto Finance Refresh” project is designed in three phases. The company leases the fourth floor of the four-story Building 200.
Brian Jantzi, manager of corporate communications and corporate and public affairs for TD Bank, previously said Jacksonville serves as one of the bank’s three key operational hubs and that the company was committed to growing its operations over time in Northeast Florida.
Morneau said the space has the capacity for 270 employees and the renovations will create room for about 20 more. She said the company was under capacity currently.
In addition to workstations, plans show the renovations include training space, conference rooms, office areas and a lunch room/town hall.
CAL Development Inc. of Coconut Creek is the contractor, while Gensler of Tampa is the architect. Parkway Properties, through FDG Deerwood North LLC, owns the property.
Jantzi said in April 2014 that the company could confirm it was looking at new facilities in Jacksonville, but the bank made no announcement about another location.
TD Auto Finance has been in the Jacksonville area for more than 16 years, having previously operated as Chrysler Financial. It is an auto financing company that operates in the United States under TD Bank.
TD Bank is one of the 10 largest banks in the United States and is a member of TD Bank Group, a subsidiary of the Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada.
TD Bank has several locations in Jacksonville.
Swoozie’s returning to Town Center area
Swoozie’s, the trendy stationery store that closed in St. Johns Town Center five years ago, is opening again, this time at The Markets at Town Center.
Swoozie’s intends to open at 4866 Big Island Drive, next to Versona, in an almost 3,000-square-foot store.
The Angelo Group of Jacksonville is the contractor for the proposed $159,212 build-out, according to a pending building permit.
The website for the chain says that “Swoozie’s at St. Johns Town Center” is coming soon. The Markets at Town Center is a separately owned shopping area next to the Town Center.
In April 2010, media reports said the retailer was closing its 43 retail stores, including in Jacksonville, and had sought bankruptcy protection.
The swoozies.com site says The Gart Companies in Denver bought the company in 2010. It lists nine Swoozie’s stores open in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Colorado, Texas and in North and South Carolina. The Florida store is in Palm Beach Gardens.
It sells stationery and paper goods, including invitations, cups, napkins, huggers, and items for weddings and entertaining. It also sells gifts.
Swoozie’s, based in Atlanta, was founded in 1999 and is run by CEO and founder Kelly Plank-Dworkin.
The Swoozie’s site says Kelly and her husband, David, opened the first store in 2001 in Buckhead in Atlanta. David died of cancer in 2007.
Plank-Dwokin did not respond to an email for comment on the new Jacksonville store.
“Over the years, many things have changed at Swoozie’s. We have had our challenges and our celebrations. Luckily, they have made many of our relationships stronger within our communities,” says the Swoozie’s site.
The Gart website says Swoozie’s has officially merged with Beau-coup, a California-based premium online retailer of party favors, supplies, decorations, and special occasion gifts.
The combined company will maintain the brand names of Swoozie’s and Beau-coup, as well as retaining all staff.
Thomas Cole, the CEO of Beau-coup since 2009, and Plank-Dworkin will serve as co-CEOs of the new combined company.
Sweeney replaces Reed at RS&H
RS&H Inc. and Brian Reed announced Wednesday that Reed left his position as CEO and as a member of the RS&H board of directors as of Tuesday to pursue other opportunities.
David Sweeney is assuming the role of CEO and board Chair Leerie Jenkins will serve as executive chairman.
Sweeney joined RS&H in 1998, serving as executive vice president and COO since January 2014.
Reed joined RS&H in 1992. The announcement said he has served in many leadership positions within the company.
“I am proud of what we accomplished at RS&H, and I believe the firm is positioned for a great future,” he said in a statement.
Jenkins said the company appreciated Reed’s efforts and wished him well.
Jacksonville-based RS&H is an architecture, engineering and consulting firm.
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