THURSDAY January 16, 2020
The Mathis Report: Mason’s operations winding down PAGE 3
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legal notices begin on page 1B
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
THE PLAN TO SPUR Daily Record DOWNTOWN DINING
Three firms bid to tear down Hart Bridge ramp The bids range from $28.8 million to $32.1 million for project south of TIAA Bank Field. BY SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
HOW IT WOULD WORK
JACKSONVILLE
Restaurant incentives
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Three firms bid from $25.8 million to $32.1 million to demolish part of the elevated Hart Bridge Expressway and construct new ramp connections: n Jacksonville-based J.B. Coxwell Contracting Inc., $25,846,500.54 Roanoke, Texas-based Johnson Bros. Corp. A Southland Co., $31,313,699.79 n Jacksonville-based Superior Construction Co. Southeast LLC, $32,125,687 The city opened the bids Jan. 15. The project calls for removing part of the Hart Bridge ramp at Liberty Street between Gator Bowl and A. Philip Randolph boulevards, bringing a portion of the expressway to street level and aligning the new roadway. Construction of a signalized intersection at Gator Bowl Boulevard is part of the project. The city Procurement Division will analyze the bids for 30 days. City, state and federal money is funding the $38.9 million project. Work is anticipated to begin early this year and be completed by the end of 2021. The city said in a legislative summary the project’s purpose is to promote development of the Shipyards properties and Lot J mixed-use development and the city’s Metropolitan Park. Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan proposes to redevelop the property. SSAILER@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
JACKSONVILLE
Restaurants opening Downtown could receive up to $350,000 in incentives depending on the type of establishment.
JACKSONVILLE
But only if they stay open late To be eligible for the incentive program, restaurants would have to be open until 9 p.m. at least five days a week, including Friday and Saturday.
Photo by Max Marbut
Downtown workers take to the streets during lunchtime, where most of the dining establishments aren’t open for dinner. The Downtown Investment Authority wants to bring more restaurants Downtown that are open until at least 9 p.m.
DIA CEO Lori Boyer wants to cluster restaurants and bars in walkable areas creating “distinct character corridors.” BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
Free parking for diners Free parking would be offered in the Yates Garage at 200 E. Adams St. and the Ed Ball Garage at 238 W. Monroe St.
INSIDE
More details about the program. Page 4
D
owntown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer’s proposal to create a dense restaurant and retail district Downtown is part of a larger plan. Her goal is to create a market beyond the daytime demand from the estimated 50,000 urban core employees and work toward a Downtown residential population of 10,000 to 12,000 people. “Providing this urban lifestyle environment where people have places to go for breakfast and coffee and places to go after work for tacos or places to go for dinner is part of that,” she said.
Boyer
Boyer has a plan. The DIA’s Targeted Food and Beverage Program aims to cluster restaurants and bars in walkable areas of Downtown, creating two “distinct character corridors” in the
core. Boyer wants to court restaurant owners to open or expand in an area bounded by Hogan, Laura, Church and Bay streets and The Elbow from Main, Liberty, Monroe and Bay streets. Boyer unveiled details Jan. 14 to a DIA SEE DINING, PAGE 4
THE BASCH REPORT
Stein Mart Inc. moved to the lowest Nasdaq tier Plus: Political ads boost Tegna. PAGE 8 VOLUME 107, NO. 42 • TWO SECTIONS