CenterState Bank intends to sell its Riverside property for redevelopment that will include a smaller branch for its use.
The city Historic Preservation Commission conditionally approved demolition of the property at 1232 King St., which will require rezoning and other reviews.
One condition is that plans for that redevelopment will need city approval before demolition can take place.
The commission voted July 25 as part of the Certificate of Appropriateness process.
The building previously was determined to be a “contributing structure” to the Riverside/Avondale Historic District.
The city found that designation to be in error because it didn’t meet the criteria and had undergone significant changes over the years.
Bryan Hunter of CenterState Bank said J.B. Ritz Inc. is under contract to buy the property and would redevelop it.
Riverside Avondale Preservation board Chair Nancy Powell said in an email that RAP was not opposed to the demolition and that it agrees with the historic planning staff’s “assessment of the lack of historic significance of the property.”
She said RAP looks forward to meeting with CenterState and the developers “to hear more about their plans, listen to the community and have the opportunity to provide feedback and input. We have been told everything is very preliminary.”
CenterState Bank of Florida applied to the city Planning and Development Department for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish the bank building.
The building was constructed in 1952.
To achieve the designation as a contributing structure, the building must be at least 50 years old at the time of designation, which was 1998; contribute to the historical and architectural character of the district; and identified by City Council in its designation.
The applicant said the building mistakenly was identified as a contributing structure because it was only 46 years old when designated in 1998.
In addition, the building has undergone significant exterior remodeling and numerous additions to nearly double in size, altering it beyond its historical context.
According to the Planning and Development staff report, “The current structure no longer represents any specific style, and the original materials are covered in a more modern stucco.”
The planning staff agrees the building should not have been identified as contributing to the historic district in 1998.
CenterState Bank operates within the structure. The 2.97-acre bank property comprises the block at southwest King and Forbes streets.
According to the applicant’s written description, CenterState Bank views the location as “prime real estate in a reemerging Jacksonville neighborhood.” The bank finds “the size of the current building is both overwhelming and inefficient.”
Because of technological changes in the banking industry, a large part of the building is not used.
The application states that the best use would be to redevelop the property with a small efficient bank branch along with mixed uses of commercial and multifamily residential.
The application states “these proposed uses address current needs in the area and will be designed in such a way as to be architecturally compatible with surrounding uses.”
Bryan Hunter of CenterState Bank said the proposed development allows the bank to downsize and become more modern and efficient.
It also helps to free them from “deferred maintenance that is coming up.”
Hunter said the bank is “committed to the community and being there.”
He said service will not be interrupted during redevelopment. “CenterState Bank is not going anywhere.”
Hunter estimates it will be 18-24 months before it moves into the new branch.
J.B. Ritz Inc. is under contract to buy the property and is in its due diligence inspection period. J.B. Ritz, based in Jacksonville Beach, will be conducting the redevelopment.
Scott Gay, representing the developer, declined to comment about the development and referred all questions to the bank.
