Daily Record Financial News &
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Vol. 104, No.116 • One Section
35¢
www.jaxdailyrecord.com
With pension deal approved, how business could benefit
Photo by Wes Lester/City of Jacksonville
Mayor Lenny Curry watches Monday as the City Council approves his pension deal. “Do not let this be lost on us today, this is history,” Curry said. “We are out of the pension business.”
Leaders say reform lifts cloud from city, could free up money for infrastructure and incentives
By David Cawton Staff Writer After years of uncertainty, debate and compromise, Jacksonville’s pension reform is in place. That could be a good sign for the business community. The City Council voted 18-0 to approve Mayor Lenny Curry’s package of sweeping reform legislation in a special session Monday.
Although Curry declined to speak with the media after the votes, he did address the council. “Do not let this be lost on us today, this Bowman is history,” Curry said. “We are out of the pension business.” Council member Aaron Bowman, a Republican representing District 3,
Gate: Fall opening for store, gas station in Brooklyn area Site clearing starts this week for the Gate Petroleum Co. store in the Brooklyn area near Downtown, continuing redevelopment of the trending neighborhood. Jacksonville-based Gate spokeswoman Misty Skipper said the store should open by late fall. As a privately held company, Gate does not disclose financials, but permit applications and the company’s $2 million site purchase in September total
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about $4 million. The city is reviewing permit applications for the vertical construction, car wash, hardscape and other work, including the canopy for 24 fueling positions. It will feature the Gate Fresh Kitchen, as does the company’s other new stores. Gate will build at 444-450 Park St., the site of the former Two Doors Down restaurant, which has been demolished along with other structures on the site. The location, at Park and Forest streets, is just off Interstate 95. It is near the Brooklyn Station on Riverside retail center,
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anchored by The Fresh Market, and 500 apartments and another 300 planned. It’s also near the Unity Plaza outdoor amphitheater and urban park. Not far away are the Winston Family YMCA along Riverside Avenue and the proposed Burlock & Barrel whiskey distillery.
Bebe closing at Town Center The Bebe Stores Inc. women’s clothing retailer will close its remaining 168 stores by the end of May, including the Jacksonville location at St. Johns Town Center. Mathis
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said the passage of the reform legislation signals to outsiders, including economic developers, that the city can meet its challenges. “We can scratch this one off the list,” he said. Bowman is also senior vice president for business development at JAXUSA Partnerships. Several council members voiced Pension
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Now’s your chance to help improve state constitution Revision Commission meets Thursday at FSCJ Kent Campus By Max Marbut Staff Writer It happens only every 20 years, and it’s happening now . People in Jacksonville have the opportunity this week to help shape the course of fundamental legal history in Florida. The 2017-18 Florida Constitution Revision Commission will convene at 11 a.m. Thursday at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Kent Campus auditorium. The purpose of the meeting
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is to hear suggestions from the public that will guide the commission’s deliberations. The 37-member commission is made up of the attorney general, 15 members appointed by the governor, nine by the president of the Senate, nine by the speaker of the House of Representatives and three by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Jacksonville lawyer Hank Coxe is the only area appointee to the commission. Over a period of about 12 months, it is charged with traveling throughout the state to identify issues, perform research and then possibly Constitution continued on Page 4
consecutive weekdays