A New York-based nonprofit plans to convert a Baymeadows Road hotel into affordable housing for U.S. military veterans.
The property is the Ramada by Wyndham Jacksonville I-95 by Butler Blvd at 9150 Baymeadows Road. It is west of Interstate 95.
The hotel, still shown on the Ramada website, appears closed. Online reservations are not being accepted. Calls to the front desk disconnect.
Property records show the hotel was built in 1974 and comprises two parcels totaling 5.18 acres. The Knights 18 Baymeadows LLC bought the hotel in 2021 for $8.22 million.
The Knights 18 Baymeadows LLC is managed by a company led by Shmuel Bonnardel. He is CEO of Rore Investing, a Jacksonville real estate investment firm.
The state of Florida issued a warrant Jan. 15 stating The Knights 18 Baymeadows LLC owes $643,626.15 in sales and use taxes, along with interest and penalties.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is seeking an administrative deviation and zoning exception for the property from the Jacksonville Planning Commission. The exception would allow the 501(c)(3) nonprofit to create multifamily housing on the property.
The foundation seeks to create 145 housing units for veterans in the 146-unit hotel, as well as standalone homes on the property, according to its application for the zoning exception.
Gavin Naples, the foundation’s senior vice president for its homeless veteran program, said Tunnel to Towers will perform an eight-figure renovation to the hotel, should the city approve the administrative deviation and zoning exception.
Each apartment unit will have its own kitchen and bathroom, Naples said. The first floor of the building will include libraries, lounges, dining areas, gyms, workforce redevelopment centers and more, according to the zoning exception application.
“This is not a shelter,” Naples said. “This is not a transitional site.”
The proposed Tunnel to Towers Jacksonville project would be one of 18 across the United States, Naples said. Other markets include Bradenton; Fort Lauderdale; Orlando; Los Angeles; Buffalo, New York; and more.
Should the foundation’s requests be granted, it would likely close on purchase of the property in March, Naples said. Construction would begin during the summer and be completed by late 2027.
Tunnel to Towers applications are set to appear before the commission Feb. 19. The commission has the final say on administrative deviations and zoning exceptions.
Tunnel to Towers was founded in honor of former New York City firefighter Stephen Siller, who was killed on 9/11. Since then, the foundation said it has raised $1 billion in funding for housing assistance for homeless former service members.