Daily Record Financial News &
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016
Vol. 104, No. 011 • oNe SectioN
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
JEA investing $250M in sewers Utility planning to double annual rehab budget over next five years
By Max Marbut Staff Writer Expect to see a lot more work being done on the sewer system in the next several years if you’re within JEA’s wastewater service area. In the next five years, the utility is doubling its annual budget for wastewater collection system repair and replacement compared to 2012-16.
That means an average annual investment of about $50 million and a total investment of nearly $400 million in fiscal years 201221. Part of the increase is due to the utility’s experience with sanitary sewer overflows caused by rain and rising water during Hurricane Matthew. Part is due to operating an aging system with many components near the end of their service life.
Marine hardware supplier expanding
“We’re going to identify shortterm issues and mitigate before next hurricane season. Long-term, we’ll build toward a more resilient system,” said CEO Paul McElroy at the Nov. 15 board of directors meeting. A Hurricane Matthew assessment is nearing completion and by April — two months before hurricane season begins June 1 — JEA will have completed its review and will prepare an improved response
plan, said Brain Roche, vice president and general manager of water and wastewater systems. In May, the system will undergo an independent review in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, he said. Proposed changes include installing backup generators at more sewage pumping stations, because overflows were caused when power was interrupted dur-
Springfield, Murray Hill could sell more liquor Second bill focuses on school board tie votes
GEM Products building facility in Duval County
By David Chapman Staff Writer
Public
Sharing street with Kenny G’s crew
Photo by Max Marbut
By Karen Brune Mathis Managing Editor GEM Products Inc., an Orange Parkbased marine hardware supplier, is preparing for an expansion into Flagler Center. President and CEO Matthew Bridgewater said Monday that GEM would move its primary operations to the new facility, which it hopes to complete by the end of 2017. It also intends to keep its current facility for now. “We are just growing and out of space,” he said. Bridgewater declined to discuss more details. The company filed plans last week with the city for an almost 71,000-square-foot office-warehouse to be built in two phases on 5.36 acres at Flagler Center Boulevard and Corklan Drive. Preliminary site plans show a first phase of 38,400 square feet, comprising 26,000 square feet of warehouse and industrial space and 12,400 square feet of office space. A second phase is shown at 32,167 square feet, consisting of 23,167 square feet of warehouse space and 9,000 square feet of office space. England, Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. Bridgewater did not specify if one or both phases would be completed by the end of 2017. Craig Meek, principal with Meek Development Group., was named in the plans. Meek said Monday he represents GEM as the broker in the land acquisition and will serve as project manager. He said Collis McGeachy and Jess Simmons with CBRE represent Flagler Center. Meek expects the builder to break ground on the project by early in the second quarter of 2017. GEM Products was founded in 1961. It says on its gemlux.com site it has grown into one of the world’s leading stainless steel marine and boat hardware suppliers. Current ownership has been in place since 1980. It is privately owned and holds numerous U.S., European Union and Asia Pacific patents for its innovation in recent years, it says. MATHIS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
ing Hurricane Matthew; improving communication with customers; and possibly building storm barriers around pump stations that could be affected by groundwater or waterways rising above normal levels due to storm surge. Nine of the 120 generators at pumping stations failed during the storm. The number of stations equipped with backup generators could double and JEA also may JEA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
The traveling stage crew setting up for Monday night’s Kenny G show at the Florida Theatre had to share Forsyth Street with the crew that’s working about 80 feet above the sidewalk restoring the terra cotta facade on the historic 90-year-old venue. The $334,000 project is scheduled to be completed in March. It is funded by a $75,000 grant from the city, $50,000 from the Downtown Historic Preservation and Revitalization Trust Fund, up to $75,000 from the Downtown Economic Development Fund and a $150,000 matching grant from the state Division of Historical Resources.
legal NoticeS begiN oN Page
9
PubliShed
for
Reggie Gaffney thinks the bill will be a way to help revitalize Main Street. Jim Love thinks it will be a way to continue momentum for Murray Hill’s comeback. The two City Council members are partnering on a local bill that mirrors one the Florida Legislature passed last year that was seen as a way to improve business in the Riverside and Avondale areas. That bill, also sponsored locally by Love, Gaffney relaxed the size and seating requirements of establishments that wanted to sell liquor. “Smaller restaurants aren’t the same,” said Love. “They don’t have the same footprint and I want to give them the same opportunities as the big guys.” Love said the footprint applies to square footage, space for seating and even parking. Often in the more historical commercial corridors, space is more limited. The local bill being pursued this year would allow stretches of Springfield and Murray Hill to apply for liquor licenses if the businesses are at least 1,800 square feet and can seat 100 people. That’s down from the standard 2,500 square feet and 150 seats. Under the special restaurant licenses, Love 51 percent of revenue has to come from food sales. The bill adds 96 parcels in the Murray Hill commercial area, lining both sides of Edgewood and Owen avenues along with a stretch along Interstate 10 and Lenox and Woodruff avenues. BILLS CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
27,072
coNSecutiVe weekdayS