MONDAY September 24, 2018
PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICES BEGIN ON PAGE 3
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
Two projects could bring 385 jobs
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
Projects Empire and Glass seeking city and state incentives to expand manufacturing operations. BY DAVID CAWTON STAFF WRITER
Two proposed code-named projects – Project Empire and Project Glass – could create 385 jobs in North and West Jacksonville. Empire is looking at Cecil
Commerce Center, according to city documents, which raises the question whether it is the speculated Wayfair Inc. distribution center. Glass is a smaller company looking at Northwest Jacksonville. The unidentified companies
are seeking city and state incentives to expand their manufacturing operations in Jacksonville. Together, the companies are seeking $3.435 million in city incentives. The city Office of Economic Development will seek permission Monday from the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee to introduce legislation to City Council on Oct. 9.
PROJECT EMPIRE
Project Empire is described in a legislative summary as a national distributor of an assortment of household goods. It is evaluating locating “a substantial warehouse and distribution facility in Jacksonville” to service customers in the Southeast United States, with a capital investment of $72 million. The summary states Empire is
looking at an 80-acre parcel at AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville as well as sites in Georgia and South Carolina. Of the $72 million investment, $50 million would go toward real estate development and $22 million would pay for machinery, equipment, furniture and fix-
Daily Record Roller rink planned Daily at Regency Court Record JACKSONVILLE
SEE PROJECTS, PAGE 2
THE MATHIS REPORT
JACKSONVILLE
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Terry Harris, a comedian, motivational speaker and retired JEA technician is developing Sk8CityJax. Regency Court Shopping Center, where a trampoline park, ax-throwing venue and haunted house are under interior construction, is in line for a skate park. Terry Harris represents Sk8CityJax, which wants to open a roller rink at 9244 Arlington Expressway in a 29,700-square-foot former Office Depot space. He said the venue will include rollerskating, rollerblading, bumper cars,
bounce houses, an arcade, four party rooms, a concession stand, skate rental and other areas. There also could be batting cages, a small movie theater, maybe a stage for stand-up comedy and other areas as he works through the space. A 7,000-square-foot roller rink will dominate the venue, which also will feature a nightly laser-light show and a DJ. “We’re going to have the best lighting and sound in Florida,” Harris said. The Jacksonville native said he graduated from Ribault High School and recently retired from JEA as an electrical technician after 30 years. He also is a retired chief master sergeant with 35 years of service. In addition, Harris is a professional stand-up comedian and motivational speaker. “My story is to give back to the community that has given to me so much and to provide fun inspiration and hope in the lives of our children,” he said. “We’ve got to help our children,” he said. Harris said SK8CityJax also will be used for summer camps, STEM and after-school programs, skate lessons SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
Terry Harris is developing Sk8CityJax inside the former Office Depot space in the Regency Court Shopping Center.
Brown named 2020 chamber chair The JAX Chamber board of directors Friday named Miller Electric Co. CEO Henry Brown as its 2020 chamber chair. Brown, 41, is treasurer of the JAX Chamber board and will begin as chair-elect in January. “Whether it’s promoting downtown development to advocating for important policy issues, JAX Chamber is leading to make Jacksonville a city where businesses want to invest and where people choose to live,” Brown said in a news release. More at JaxDailyRecord.com
VOLUME 105, NO. 218 • ONE SECTION