A group that represents a new high-profile St. Johns Town Center area shopping center also has signed on to recruit retailers and restaurants to the proposed District project on the Downtown Jacksonville Southbank.
A sign at The District – Life Well Lived – Jacksonville property along the south bank of the St. Johns River shows The Shopping Center Group is handling retail and restaurant leasing for the proposed almost 30-acre mixed-use development.
It already is handling Town Center Promenade, which recently announced eight retailers and restaurants, including three eateries new to the market, for that 30-acre development.
Michael Munz, president of the Dalton Agency PR Group and a partner with developer Peter Rummell in RummellMunz Equity LLC, said Monday The Shopping Center Group has been onboard for several months and representatives have been attending trade shows, scheduling meetings and working the retail side of the project.
“I would categorize the response we have received as very positive,” Munz said.
Don’t look for immediate announcements, however.
“While we have quite a few very interested tenants and are engaged in very active conversations, we will not be announcing anything specific until we have prospects under contract,” he said.
The Shopping Center Group sign at The District property includes a rendering of the proposed residential, hotel, commercial, retail and marina project, which developers have estimated as at least a $150 million build-out.
Nancy Sumner and Stephanie McCullough are prominently listed as the Shopping Center Group contacts, along with their telephone number and website.
A spokeswoman for The Shopping Center Group said the leasing agents were not ready to comment on the project.
Rummell and developer Michael Balanky formed Elements Development of Jacksonville LLC to do the deal.
They have a contract to buy the riverfront land, which is the site of the former Southside Generating Station, from JEA for $18.5 million.
In February, the JEA board approved an extension of the inspection period to Nov. 30, after which the Elements group has 30 days to close.
The due diligence inspection period includes on-site reviews and governmental approvals such as zoning, land use and development rights.
At the February board meeting, JEA Director of Governmental Relations Nancy Kilgo said developers have “demonstrated much due diligence” and secured several permits needed to develop a retail and residential community, but other permits still need to be granted by the state and city.
Munz said Monday the group is talking with the Downtown Investment Authority about the redevelopment agreement, which will need City Council approval. He said his intention is to complete that process by mid-June and close on the acquisition soon after.
In November, the DIA allocated development rights for The District to include 1,170 residential units, 200 hotel rooms, 288,500 square feet of commercial and retail space and 200,000 square feet of office space to be developed over three phases.
A rendering released in November shows a complex of buildings that includes condos, two apartment structures, two office buildings and a hotel.
A 4-acre park fronts the St. Johns River, where developers are seeking approvals for a 125-slip marina.
The Riverwalk would extend along the property’s riverfront.
In December, the team released a rendering for The District Luxury Apartments.
The 552 efficiency, one- and two-bedroom apartments are designed to be built above 46,000 square feet of retail space and a 433-space parking garage. Amenities include a swimming pool and an observation deck with a view of the marina.
Birmingham, Ala.,-based Equity Resources LLC is the apartment project’s developer.
Information about The District can be found at thedistrictjax.com.
The idea took shape when Rummell decided a mixed-use community focused on healthy lifestyles for all ages could be a larger trend, and he wanted to start it on land in Jacksonville.
Munz said he imagined Rummell will “be standing there with the first shovel in his hand the second after the closing documents are signed” to turn the dirt.
More Promenade details
The Shopping Center Group, which represents Town Center Promenade near St. Johns Town Center, still has space for lease there.
The 30-acre mixed-use project will add 33,000 square feet of restaurant space and 25,000 square feet of retail space along Town Center Parkway across from St. Johns Town Center.
The Shopping Center Group LLC recently announced tenants signed to date and provided details of their size.
The Aldi grocery store, the largest tenant so far, will be 17,825 square feet.
Three restaurants new to the area will be Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews, at 5,700 square feet; Texas de Brazil Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, 7,000 square feet; and Piada Italian Street Food, 2,800 square feet.
Other tenants will be Newk’s Eatery (4,200 square feet); Aspen Dental (3,500 square feet); Mattress Firm (3,700 square feet); and Starbucks (2,100 square feet).
While the announced retailers account for all of the retail space, there remains about 11,200 square feet for restaurant use.
The center is expected to open in spring 2017.
A spokeswoman for The Shopping Center Group said the group could not disclose the names of tenants before leases are signed.
Tom Mundy with The Shopping Center Group said previously the Promenade also will include a lakefront restaurant and two hotels.
Property owner and developer Core Property Capital of Atlanta intends to develop a multifamily project there, too.
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