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Thursday, March 29, 2018
Vol. 105, No. 094 • One Section
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Café coming to City Hall
San Jose Plaza Aldi build-out approved Germany-based grocer has plans to open at least 11 stores in the region. Aldi is approved for build-out in San Jose Plaza in Mandarin. It’s one of 11 Aldi stores planned in or coming to the area. Six are open and five more sites are identified, including the San Jose Plaza location. Bay to Bay Properties LLC is the contractor for the $1.54 million build-out at 10950 San Jose Blvd., No. 15. San Jose Plaza is next to Claire Lane Center where Trader Joe’s opened in October. Germany-based Aldi has three stores open in Duval County, along Southside Boulevard, Normandy Boulevard and Town Center Parkway; two in Clay County; and one in St. Johns County. The five to open comprise four in Mandarin, Regency, Southwest Jacksonville and North Jacksonville in Duval County; and the first Aldi in Nassau County. The stores feature the chain’s “new look” of a modern design, natural lighting and an environmental focus on building materials, refrigeration and lighting. They also feature new shelving and floor tile, different wall graphics, more fresh produce,
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
The 996-square-foot café will be built-out in the City Hall space now occupied by vending machines.
State Division of Blind Services to operate café with plans to open in June. By Karen Brune Mathis Editor City Hall is gaining a café. The state Division of Blind Services will operate the café, which city spokeswoman Tia Ford anticipates will open in June. The space is where a break room with vending machines now operates near the information desk.
Plans show the 996-square-foot café would have space for a few tables and chairs and a standing counter, but the focus will be on takeout food. Ford said it would take two months to complete the renovations after a contract is executed. A pending permit lists Auld & White Constructors LLC as the licensed contractor.
Ford said in an email the café will be opened “to provide better support” for City staff and citizens that utilize the St. James Building. Hours of operation tentatively are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. kmathis@jaxdailyrecord.com @MathisKb (904) 356-2466
Mathis
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Council approves $3.4 million in incentives for JinkoSolar “This is probably one of the biggest things we’ve ever done,” council Vice President Aaron Bowman says. By David Cawton Staff Writer City Council members unanimously approved nearly $3.4 million of financial incentives
Tuesday for JinkoSolar (U.S) Industries Inc. to set up a solarpanel manufacturing facility in West Jacksonville. Council members voted 19-0 to approve legislation that includes an economic development agreement between the company and the city for JinkoSolar to establish a plant in Jacksonville. There was no discussion. The legislation does not say that JinkoSolar would set up its U.S. headquarters in Jacksonville, but council Vice President Aaron
Bowman said previously that it would. “This is probably one of the biggest things we’ve Bowman eve r d o n e ,” Bowman said. “It may not be the biggest project, but Jinko is probably the No. 1 or No. 2 solar company in the world and they chose Jacksonville.” JinkoSolar (U.S.) Industries Inc., a subsidiary of Shanghai,
China-based JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., would be the first Chinese company to establish a U.S. solar-product operation after President Donald Trump approved a 30 percent tariff in January on imported solar panel technology. The company agreed to lease most of a 407,435-square-foot building from developer Hillwood at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville. JinkoSolar plans to invest up to
$50.5 million into the facility at 4660 New World Ave. Hillwood recently completed it as a speculative building. JinkoSolar pledges to hire 200 employees at an average salary of $45,562 by year-end 2019. Council approved tax incentives of $3.4 million, comprising a $3.2 million Recapture Enhanced Value grant to be paid over 10 years and a $200,000 Qualified Target Industry tax refund for JinkoSolar
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The Cawton Report: First phase of removal project City taking steps toward demolition of Hart Bridge Expressway Downtown. Public
legal notices begin on page
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