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February 6-12, 2020
The Mathis Report: Arlington lands Southern Coast Seafood PAGE 4
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JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer DISCOVERING Record & Observer
Khan says Lot J will take 3 years to finish
JACKSONVILLE
CRANE ISLAND
Timeline for mixed-use project next to TIAA Bank Field still faces city regulatory process.
JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan says he expects construction of the nearly $500 million Lot J development west of TIAA Bank Field to begin by the end of March. In an interview with Jaguars reporter Ashlyn Sullivan posted Feb. 4 on Jaguars.com, Khan said that once construction begins, it will take 18 months to two years Khan before the restaurants, apartments and other Lot J elements are open. The total project, he said, would take three years. The proposed first phase of Lot J comprises a 300-unit residential tower, 200-room hotel, 120,000-square-foot Class A office tower and a Live! Entertainment District. Jacksonville I-C Parcel One Holding Company LLC, a joint venture of Jaguars subsidiary Gecko Investments LLC and the Baltimore, Maryland-based The Cordish Companies, is the project developer. Khan’s timeline is up against the full city regulatory process. Jaguars President Mark Lamping told reporters in a conference call Feb. 4 with Khan that an estimated $233.3 million incentive and development agreement with the city should be finalized in 30 to 60 days.
Record & Observer Photos by Maggie FitzRoy
Guests gather outside the 2019 Southern Living Idea House on Crane Island for its grand-opening celebration in June. The property at 50 Cord Grass Court in Fernandina Beach sold Jan. 22 for $3.55 million.
Developers focus on preserving the history and ecology of the Nassau County property. BY MAGGIE FITZROY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
J
ohn Broadbent purchased a forested 185-acre island off Amelia Island in 1886 for $1,000. After his death, his daughter Sarah Alice lived there for decades alone, in a house with no electricity or running water. The house burned down in 1952, the same day Sarah Alice mysteriously disappeared. And the land, known as Crane Island, remained uninhabited until now. Not only is it inhabited, but it is
the subject of international interest. Southern Living chose the island for its 2019 Idea House, built on about a half-acre at 50 Cord Grass Court on Crane Island, between the Intracoastal Waterway and Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport in Nassau County. It sold Jan. 22 for $3.55 million to 50 Cord Grass Court LLC, managed by Jamie Levitt. The house was listed at $3.99 million, furnished. The public still has a chance to SEE CRANE ISLAND, PAGE 6
Mendenhall Report: City to pay Gator Bowl for not installing seats PAGE 3 Innovate Jax plots course for the coming year PAGE 5 The Basch Report: Restaurant firm owned by Cannae bankrupt PAGE 12
The roads on Crane Island wind around oak trees that dot the property. The island is between the Intracoastal Waterway and Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport in Nassau County.
SEE KHAN, PAGE 7
THE SAILER REPORT
Beach Marine is sold to Windward Marina Group Company plans ‘placemaking project.’ PAGE 10 VOLUME 2, NO. 36 • ONE SECTION