Daily Record FINANCIAL NEWS &
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017
Vol. 104, No. 044 • oNe SectioN
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Tourism promotion plan to be updated
Changes coming after analysis by council auditor
How the city promotes itself as a destination for tourists and conventions is about to undergo its most substantial change in nearly 40 years. For decades, the Jacksonville and the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau — rebranded several years ago as Visit Jacksonville — has operated as a not-for-profit corporation under contract to the city to manage tourism promotion and attract business and leisure
Astleford
Work on Tru may start early February
Tru by Hilton at Town Center Promenade could break ground the first week of February, pending approval of the building permit. Hotel partner Roshan Patel said the holidays and approvals delayed an expected start in December. Construction could take nine months, he said, which indicates the hotel could open at the same time as other stores and restaurants at the Promenade under development. The four-story, 98-room hotel is planned on 1.5 acres on a lakefront at 4640 Tropea Way, off of Town Center Parkway. The city is reviewing a permit for a $5 million construction job. Patel said the total deal is $10 million, which includes the $1.45 million property purchase. Kana Hotel Group of Knoxville, Tenn., is the franchisee. Preferred Professional Services Inc., led by Michael Graham with Graham Construction, is listed as the contractor. Dasher Hurst Architects is the architect and Prosser Inc. is the civil engineer. The rooms comprise 53 king and 45 double-queen units. The hotel is the first Tru by Hilton in Jacksonville. A new midscale brand, Hilton Worldwide designed Tru by Hilton to attract leisure and corporate travelers, particularly millennials. Patel said the group also is building a Tru by Hilton in Tallahassee, home to Florida State University.
Aetna soon to build-out at Gramercy Woods park
Aetna Inc.’s build-out at Gramercy Woods is adding up to almost $6.5 million. The company announced in May it would leave the tower that bears its name on the Downtown Southbank in mid-2017 MATHIS CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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travelers. The city will issue in February a request for proposals for the next five-year renewal of the tourism marketing contract and it will include some new guidelines and policies. The change process began in early 2016 when the Duval County Tourist Development Council, which is under the auspices of City Council, started discussing proposed amendments to the county’s Tourist Development Plan. When council enacted in Sep-
tember the amendments — such as how proceeds from one third of the tourist development tax levied on hotel bills that’s designated for marketing and promotion may be spent — it was the first time the regulations had been reviewed since the plan was adopted in 1979. The 2 percent portion of the 6 percent bed tax that funds the plan is projected to generate about $7.4 million for the fiscal year that will end Sept. 30. More changes are on the way for how the city promotes tourism
following a study of Visit Jacksonville’s policies and procedures conducted by the Office of the Council Auditor. The purpose of the analysis was to help the city become more familiar with Visit Jacksonville’s operations and to identify potential improvements to include in the upcoming request for proposals. In addition to interviewing Visit Jacksonville management, auditors reviewed the agency’s general ledger activity and contacted VISIT JAX CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Familiar face leading new start for Jaguars
Photo courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
By Max Marbut Staff Writer
Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping speaks during the news conference where the team introduced Tom Coughlin, center, as vice president of football operations and Doug Marrone, second from right, as head coach. Also pictured are owner Shad Khan and General Manager Dave Caldwell. As for the hiring of Coughlin, who was the team’s first coach, Khan said, “Tom had to return to Jacksonville.” See more photos on Page 3.
Creditors seek money owed by Latitude 360 3 file involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions against company
By Mark Basch Contributing Writer Three creditors of Latitude 360 Inc., which closed down its dining and entertainment venues last year, filed an involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition against the company this week seeking to recover money owed. Jacksonville-based Latitude 360 has been basically out of business since closing its venues in Jacksonville and Indianapolis
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in January 2016 and its Pittsburgh venue in March. The petition was filed on behalf of TBF Financial LLC, which said in court documents it is owed $68,955; Dex Imaging Inc., owed $207,292; and the N. Robert Ellison trust, owed $33,698. Documents also said there are eight pending court judgments against Latitude 360, including claims by the three petitioners. The petition was filed in U.S. Bankruptcy
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Court for the Middle District of Florida in Jacksonville by H. Timothy Gillis of Gillis Way & Campbell, representing TBF and Dex, and Allen Wulbern of Smith Hulsey & Busey, representing the trust. The creditors filed a motion to appoint a trustee to oversee the Chapter 11 to take control of the business, but that motion acknowledges there is little left of the company. “Upon information and belief, there LATITUDE 360 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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