THURSDAY
September 10, 2020
Mathis Report: Culver’s planned for Gate Parkway PAGE 3
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT
Shipping container food court in plans at College Park
RESTARTING THE Daily Record ‘NORTH CORE’ JACKSONVILLE
The developer is making “good progress” in securing a grocery tenant for the former Town & Country Shopping Center.
Daily Record Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
BY KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER
JACKSONVILLE
Photo by Mike Mendenhall
JWB Real Estate Capital President Alex Sifakis inside the 218 W. Church St. building his company purchased in August. JWB plans to redevelop the property as apartments with commercial space on the ground floor.
Developers have $86.1 million of investment planned for the neighborhood, with more expected. BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
T
rees and weeds grow through the floorboards on the fourth and fifth levels of the vacant office building at 218 W. Church St. Alex Sifakis, president of JWB Real Estate Capital, said nature has “reasserted itself” inside the dilapidated historic structure, but he sees potential. “I think that bringing these old buildings back to life is really important for Downtown. I mean, it looks like
a fricking disaster, but we’re (JWB) used to this,” Sifakis said. The five-story, 26,500-square-foot building constructed in 1924 was purchased by JWB on Aug. 26 for $675,000. It’s the company’s latest investment in what Sifakis and three other development groups have collectively branded Downtown’s “North Core.” JWB, Augustine Development Group, ACE JAX LLC and husband-and-wife team Jim and Ellen Wiss paid a combined $15.38 million for historic buildings and
INSIDE Bill would offer incentives for redeveloping properties Downtown. Page 5
SEE NORTH CORE, PAGE 4
JWB Real Estate Capital President Alex Sifakis said Sept. 9 construction on College Park, the former Town & Country Shopping Center in Arlington, could begin by mid-2021. JWB filed plans with the city Sept. 8 that show a shipping container food court and park, two apartment buildings, public open space and an Ellianos coffee shop. The center is at northeast University Boulevard and the Arlington Expressway. Built in 1953, it comprises about 200,000 square feet on 19 acres at 903 University Blvd. Sifakis said he and his team looked at other successful shopping center renovations in Jacksonville and across the country to create their redevelopment plans. “It seemed like that mix, getting some residential and some experiential retail was critical,” Sifakis said. Dollar General, Annie’s Nails, Bait & Tackle, Advanced Auto Parts, Legacy Ministries and Davita Inc. are among the current tenants. Sifakis said his group looked at similar concepts like Sparkman Wharf in Tampa and Boxi Park in Lake Nona to design the 17,733-square-foot shipping container food court and park. Both use shipping containers to house small, counter-service restaurants and have outdoor seating and entertainment. The two apartment buildings SEE COLLEGE PARK, PAGE 9
THE BASCH REPORT
Shoe Carnival sees sales surge amid pandemic Analyst reduces Regency outlook. PAGE 6 VOLUME 107, NO. 209 • TWO SECTIONS