MONDAY January 18, 2021
Public
jaxdailyrecord.com • 35 cents
legal notices begin on page 3
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
DEVELOPMENT
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
Special to the Daily Record
Earth Fare plans to reopen in the second quarter at the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway off County Road 210 West.
Record DDRBDaily defers conceptual design vote for RD River City Brewery apartments JACKSONVILLE
The west elevation Acosta Bridge view of the proposed RD River City Brewery apartments on the Downtown Southbank.
Earth Fare to reopen in St. Johns
The natural and organic grocer is under new ownership after filing for bankruptcy protection.
Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
A Downtown Investment Authority committee votes to add $500,000 to the city’s incentive deal with developer Related Group.
BY MONTY ZICKUHR MANAGING EDITOR
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
The Downtown Development Review Board deferred conceptual design review for Miami-based Related Group’s proposed $92 million apartment project on the River City Brewing Co. site on the Downtown waterfront, voicing concerns that the architecture did not fit along the St. Johns River. The DDRB’s 9-0 vote Jan. 14 came hours after a Downtown Investment Authority committee approved a $500,000 increase to the project’s pending public incentives package, now valued at nearly $15.95 million. In its project presentation, MSA Architects Inc. disputed DDRB staff findings that the eight-story, 333-unit apartment is “reminiscent of resort-style architecture” from Key West, Seaside or St. Augustine. The DDRB report states that “staff is unsure how this fits con-
Special to the Daily Record
Related Group is proposing a $92 million apartment project on the site of River City Brewing Co.
textually along the St. Johns River in Jacksonville.” MSA partner Beatriz Hernandez said the apartment design was “transitional” and contemporary. She said the building’s metal roof, smooth cut stone and gray and white color palette complemented the surrounding Southbank architecture. Board members said they want the Miami condominium, apartment and office developer to build in Jacksonville, but agreed
with issues raised by staff. “It seems to me like it’s just not ready to be in front of us,” board member Christian Harden said. “To me, it doesn’t seem to make sense in Jacksonville. I looked at it and it looks like some kind of mix of the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts at Disney World.” Board member Matt Brockelman said he sees the presented midrise product as a better fit on
MORE DIA Downtown Florida Baptist Convention property, Vista Brooklyn Apartment projects take step. Page 2
Earth Fare, a natural and organic grocer, announced Jan. 14 it will reopen in St. Johns County. Earth Fare and shopping center owner Sleiman Enterprises said in a news release the store will open in the second quarter at the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway off County Road 210 West. “This is a growing area and desirable location with great demographics,” said Randy Tally, co-founder, chief sustainability officer and director of leasing at Earth Fare. “This area wants a specialty healthy grocery store and we are happy to deliver the community an organic and natural foods grocery store.” The store at 120 Shops Blvd. opened in October 2019 and closed in February, along with the rest of the chain, when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Asheville, North Carolinabased grocery is making a comeback. Supermarket News reported in July the chain was reopening stores after an investment from Hulsing Enterprises, also of
SEE RELATED, PAGE 2
SEE EARTH FARE, PAGE 2
Baptist buys VyStar property, plans HealthPlace Baptist Health said Jan. 7 it purchased an 86,000-square-foot VyStar Credit Union service center that it will convert into its second Baptist HealthPlace facility. The deed filed in Clay County shows Baptist Health Properties Inc. paid $13.1 million Jan. 5 for the 12.33-acre property at 2310 Village Square Parkway on Fleming Island. It is adjacent to the Baptist Clay Medical Campus, where a 100-bed hospital is under construction. Baptist HealthPlace will include primary care, various specialties and a Baptist Center for Healthy Living. It is expected to open in the fall.
VOLUME 108, NO. 43 • ONE SECTION