WEDNESDAY December 16, 2020
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Daily Record JACKSONVILLE
REDEVELOPMENT
THE MATHIS REPORT
Daily Record
Independent Life Building renovation approved by DDRB
The $30 million project would add 135 apartments, a restaurant and a grocery Downtown.
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BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
The Downtown Development Review Board approved the final design Dec. 10 for Augustine Development Group affiliate PEP10 LLC’s $30 million Independent Life Building renovation in Jacksonville. The DDRB voted 7-1 for the plan to convert the 1950s-era, 19-story office tower at 233 W. Duval St. into a 135-unit residential building. T h e proje ct inc ludes a 21,000-square-foot grocery store on the ground floor, according to Augustine Development Group President Bryan Greiner and plans submitted to DDRB staff. Plans also show a 10,000-squarefoot restaurant and executive sky lounge on the top floor and a pool deck for residents on the 17th floor. Board member Joe Loretta voted against final approval. Loretta said he “fully supports” the project but didn’t like two sideby-side driveways leading in and out of the Independent Life parking lot on West Church Street. “This is in the urban core. This is something that really needs to be added to our code to not be allowed. I don’t think we should approve that based on that reason alone,” he said. “If this was a (Florida Department of Transportation) roadway, it would not be approved.” Downtown Investment Authority Redevelopment Coordinator Lori Radcliffe-Meyers said the drives have been examined and approved by a city Planning and Development SEE BUILDING, PAGE 3
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A developer wants to renovate the former Independent Life Building at 233 W. Duval St. into apartments, a grocery and restaurant.
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Permits issued to convert old FBI building to apartments Developers will turn the six-story Arlington Expressway structure into 118 units. With permits issued Dec. 10, developers Marc Peter Kozman and Magdi Samuel can start work on converting the former FBI building into the Arlington Apartments at a cost of $11 million. As Theotokos Holdings LLC, the developers own the property at 7820 Arlington Expressway and will turn the six-story building in 118 apartments with an amenity center and gym. Axios Construction Services LLC of Fern Park is the contractor. Fisher Koppenhafer of Jacksonville is the architect. The city issued permits for 95,256 square feet to be converted into apartments at a cost of almost $10.98 million and for a 6,745-square-foot amenity center and gym at a cost of $100,000. Kozman and Samuel said in September they hope to renovate the former FBI building in Arlington into 118 apartments “as soon as possible.” “Jacksonville is a nice town,” said Kozman, who is based near Toronto, on Sept. 18 during a visit to Jacksonville. SEE MATHIS, PAGE 2
Sugarfire issued build-out permit The city issued a permit Dec. 14 for the Jacksonville franchise owner of St. Louis-based Sugarfire Smoke House to build-out the area’s first location. Wareh Contracting Corp. is the contractor for the $150,000 project to convert a former Panera Bread into Sugarfire at 12959 Atlantic Blvd., east of Girvin Road. The permit shows the installation of new kitchen equipment and exhaust hoods along with painting and refurbishing dining areas and the serving line in 4,365 square feet of space. Sugarfire’s menu includes smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more.
VOLUME 108, NO. 22 • ONE SECTION