MONDAY April 22, 2019
Public legal notices begin on page 3
jaxdailyrecord.com • 35 cents
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
THE MATHIS REPORT
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
DIA backs plan to simplify Downtown design standards The legislation introduced by District 5 City Council member Lori Boyer also would eliminate parking space requirements.
Existing Downtown overlay districts JACKSONVILLE
Daily Record Daily Record
Mimi’s Cafe property sold to Ida Claire
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Two pieces of legislation introduced last week by District 5 City Council member Lori Boyer, aimed at simplifying Downtown design standards for developers and altering parking space requirements, have cleared another hurdle. The Downtown Investment Authority board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend council approve measures 2019-195 and 2019196. Boyer’s bill 2019-195 would amend the city’s 2030 comprehensive plan, eliminating a minimum parking requirement for Downtown. The second, 2019196, would update the Downtown zoning overlay and design standards, redrawing Boyer the existing district boundaries. Downtown design districts are based on historic use and other factors. Boyer’s legislation reworks Downtown into eight districts — Brooklyn, LaVilla, Church, Cathedral, Central Core, Southbank, Sports and Entertainment and Working Waterfront. Her legislation eliminates River Park, River Front and Industrial districts. DIA documents state the agency was not asked to weigh in on a third piece of companion legislation, 2019-197, that would rezone about 980 acres of Northbank and Southbank properties from 14 categories into one commercial central business district category. That bill is under the jurisdiction of the Downtown Development Review Board. Documents supporting 2019-197 presented Wednesday show the CCBD zoning category now encompasses residential, commercial, office, retail, service, banks, schools, galleries and museums, parking garages, day care, medical clin-
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
Proposed Downtown overlay districts
ics and labs, hospitals, marinas, utilities, mixed-use properties, existing shelters, temporary parking and entertainment with alcohol, except in church. What Boyer is calling bonus uses — including manufacturing, single-family homes, industrial, filling stations and others — will vary by district. Properties that now are zoned CCBD and planned unit development will remain in those categories. Boyer presented selected details of the proposed changes to the DIA board followed by questions with members in a meeting at City Hall on Wednesday before the vote. DIA board member Dane Grey questioned the effectiveness of eliminat-
ing parking minimums with the current demand on the rise and increases in parking rates having little impact. “Are we not at least a little bit concerned that with the removal of this legislation that potential developers will come in and just develop and not replace or provide adequate parking for their facilities?” Grey asked. “Or they’ll develop an area where there’s a garage but not know the capacity?” Grey also asked Boyer if the city had a contingency plan if the market-driven parking solution did not work as intended. The consensus among Downtown SEE STANDARDS, PAGE 2
Ida Claire Jacksonville LLC bought the closed Mimi’s Cafe property on an outparcel at St. Johns Town Center on Thursday for conversion into its “Ida Claire, South of Ordinary” concept. The Dallas-based company bought the property from FLLM LLC, based in Orlando, for $2.7 million, according to Leasing Advisor Kelly Pulignano with The Shopping Center Group. Mimi’s Cafe was one of the original restaurants around St. Johns Town Center, which opened in 2005. The property is at 10209 River Coast Drive. Pulignano and Stephanie McCullough, a partner in the group, represented FLLM LLC in the transaction. “We had a significant amount of interest in this asset, however identifying the right user was key,” McCullough said. Ida Claire has one location in Dallas and its concept is geared toward providing customers a “Southern-inspired” experience. “Most restaurants in this market do very well, however, some of the brands that are struggling nationally are not exempt from closures even in the strongest trade areas,” McCullough said, referring to Mimi’s.
KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
Lost Lake Resort Apartments sold The 280-unit Lost Lake Resort Apartments sold for $45.5 million to Fishers, Indiana-based BMG Lost Lake Florida LLC and BMG Lost Lake Florida II LLC, under Becovic Management Group. The property, at 8681 AC Skinner Parkway at southwest Butler and Southside boulevards, will be ownermanaged. The seller, Jacksonville Multifamily DST, is a part of Oak Brook, Illinois-based Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc., a commercial real estate and finance company. Becovic plans to provide unit upgrades with LED lighting packages, Nest thermostats, quartz counters and more.
VOLUME 106, NO. 110 • ONE SECTION