WEDNESDAY January 13, 2021
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
DEVELOPMENT
THE MATHIS REPORT
Conventional demolition, not Daily Record implosion, planned for Berkman JACKSONVILLE
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
The developer that wants to raze the unfinished Berkman Plaza II on the St. Johns Riverfront Downtown says it no longer plans to implode the high-rise. The city is reviewing an amended permit application filed Jan. 6 to tear down the 18-story building at 500 E. Bay St.
Developer Vestcor is looking at design plans as it arranges financing for the 120-unit project Downtown.
demolition about 120 days after the permit is issued. After the building is leveled, Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization intends to redevelop the property with 300 residential units, retail and public park space. Park Beeler, co-managing member of the development company, said Jan. 6 that city officials were concerned that an implosion could result in debris falling onto the adjacent Shipyards property and disturb ground contamination that could enter the St. Johns River. Residents of The Plaza Condominium at Berkman Plaza and Marina to the west expressed concern about damage to their SEE BERKMAN, PAGE 2
SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
using a high-reach excavator. Developer Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization LLC hired Orlando-based contractor Pece of Mind Environmental Inc. to complete the demolition. Documents filed with the city show Pece of Mind plans to use a crane and 135-foot boom to demolish the 279,000-square-foot structure from the top floor down. The company will use a debris curtain to keep material contained at the demolition site. The amended demolition permit application filed with the city Building Inspection Division by Pece of Mind owner Steve Pece projects a $1.09 million job cost. Pece of Mind expects to complete the
Initial work starting toward Lofts at Cathedral
The city is reviewing a permit application for Realco Recycling Co. Inc. to remove interior finishes at the proposed Lofts at Cathedral Downtown at 325 E. Duval St. It’s an early step toward Vestcor Inc.’s plan to turn the former Community Connections building into a multifamily project. “We are just doing the interior demo so we can get a better idea of what we are working with on the inside for design,” said Ryan Hoover, president of Vestcor’s TVC Development Inc. The permit application involves the “removal of interior finish systems to reveal structure for future design for building remodel for future use.” Jacksonville-based Vestcor plans to construct 90 units and redevelop the Community Connections building to add 30 units. Vestcor bought the Community Connections building and 1.25-acre adjacent property in September 2019 and February 2020 for $1.4 million.
The Plaza Condominium at Berkman Plaza and Marina sits west of the unfinished Berkman Plaza II. Residents of The Plaza were concerned about the impact of a potential implosion of the Berkman II.
Contractor Pece of Mind Environmental plans to use a high-reach boom to demolish the unfinished 18-story building from the top down.
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Lanahan named regional president Jacksonville native Marty Lanahan is the new regional president of First Horizon Bank and Iberia Bank for the North, Central and Southwest Florida regions. The banks completed their merger in July. Lanahan was the executive vice president and Tampa Bay market president of Iberia Bank. She previously served in Jacksonville as the North Florida Area president for Regions Bank. She splits her time between Tampa and Jacksonville. In her new role, Lanahan will lead a team of banking professionals and oversee business development in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers and Naples.
VOLUME 108, NO. 40 • ONE SECTION