FRIDAY June 28, 2019
Public legal notices begin on page 3
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
THE MATHIS REPORT
$1.5 million LaVilla project wins DDRB approval
Daily Record Growing Fidelity needs space JACKSONVILLE
Developer plans to renovate and expand 530 W. Union St. building.
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
JACKSONVILLE
A Florida Blue parking lot could be the answer for the company and plans are in motion that could free the space for development.
Fidelity National Information Services Inc. is speculated as the project for the riverfront Florida Blue parking lot along Riverside Avenue. That’s because the Jacksonville-based company, with at least 1,400 area employees according to FIS, is growing and already is based nearby. FIS, a global provider of financial services technology, agreed to buy Worldpay Inc., which provides e-commerce and payments. Upon closing, said a news release, “the combined company will be positioned to offer bestin-class enterprise banking, payments, capital markets, and global eCommerce capabilities empowering financial institutions and businesses worldwide.” FIS occupies space on the Fidelity campus along Riverside Avenue, near the Florida Blue parking lot, and space is tight as the Fidelity-related companies continue buying competitors and seeking space for the addiSEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Fidelity in Riverside Fidelity National Information Services, known as FIS, shares a building at 601 Riverside Ave. with Black Knight Inc.
1,400 2,400 FIS
Black Knight employees
Source: JAX Chamber, FIS
Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
The Downtown Development Review Board issued final design approval for the redevelopment of a vacant building at 530 W. Union St. in LaVilla as a three-unit commercial space. The DDRB approved conceptual designs for the $1.5 million, 2,900-square-foot project in December. Project co-developer and landscape architect Joe Loretta said the 1,656-square-foot structure on the property was built in 1963 as a fuel station and most recently a check-cashing business. Loretta plans to add 1,300 square feet to the building, modernize the structure with a white stucco design and repave the asphalt parking lot. Loretta, also a DDRB member, requested setback, sign and landscape deviations from the board Thursday, all of which were approved unanimously. He recused himself from any DDRB debate on the project. He said he hopes the development will add to the revitalization of the neighborhood. “The existing site, quite frankly, is currently a vagrant hot spot, which is not the best situation on the property and surrounding area,” Loretta said. “We’re working hard to try to redevelop it and clean that up.” A timeline for construction and an estimated completion date is to be determined. No tenants have been announced.
MMENDENHALL@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MIMENDENHALL (904) 356-2466
Burch named city deputy administrative officer Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department Director Stephanie Burch will become the city’s deputy chief administrative officer, Mayor Lenny Curry announced. Burch, 42, will report to incoming Chief Administrative Officer Brian Hughes, who will leave his role as the mayor’s chief of staff July 1. Hughes is replacing the retiring Sam Mousa. Neighborhoods Department Operations Director Bryan Mosier will replace Burch as director, pending City Council approval.
VOLUME 106, NO. 158 • ONE SECTION