Daily Record Financial News &
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 184 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Macquarie coming Downtown
Australian firm seeking $1.77M in incentives, will invest $3M By Karen Brune Mathis Managing Editor Australia-based Macquarie Group is the confidential “Project Post” that intends to open a 123job global banking shared-services office Downtown, according to sources involved with the process who asked not to be identified. The office would open by year-end and the accounting and financial management jobs would be created by the end of 2017. Mayor Lenny Curry and a Macquarie Group executive are scheduled to announce the deal
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tives, Macquarie asked for $1.37 million from the state, consisting of its QTI match of up to $590,400, a Quick Action Closing Fund of up to $500,000 and a Quick Response Training Grant of up to $282,900. In return, the company pledges to pay an average wage of $64,356 with an average benefits package of $20,000. That’s an annual payroll of $7.9 million, excluding benefits. According to a city project summary and economic development agreement, Macquarie also Macquarie continued on Page A-2
Former addicts get chance to transition back into society
“Some people are just down and out and need others to give them a helping hand.”
By Max Marbut Staff Writer
DIA
Sydney, Australia, and has more than 70 offices in 28 countries. Its U.S. headquarters are in New York and it also has offices in Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago. The Jacksonville shared-services operation will provide finance, accounting, tax and regulatory support and other services to Macquarie functions in the U.S. and in some European markets. The U.S. is a large growth market for Macquarie. The company declined comment Wednesday. In addition to the city incen-
Homes offer hope, grace
Landing plan shows river access, open space
By Carole Hawkins Staff Writer
Howard White Founder of North Florida Builders
Photo by Carole Hawkins
For the past few years, what to do about the aging and out-of-date Jacksonville Landing has been one of the most talked about Downtown issues. Sleiman Enterprises, owner of the riverfront center, started the conversation that soon was picked up by the public on social media and around water coolers. The discussion ramped up when an architectural firm and a group of urban planners started working on a plan to revitalize the venue located on several acres of prime city-owned riverfront property. Last week, the design professionals hosted private focus groups and a public forum where they made some preliminary sketches based on input from the public. On Wednesday, a conceptual master site plan was unveiled to the Downtown Investment Authority board. Authority board member and project liaison Doris Goldstein said while it’s still a Goldstein work in progress, the plan represents an entirely new concept for the property. “We’re focused on creating a great waterfront open space,” she said. The proposed site layout was presented by Mike Brown, principal architect for Ward Beasley & Associates. He also designed the Fresh Market-anchored retail center along Riverside Avenue in Brooklyn. Ward Beasley is working with Pittsburgh-based Urban Design Associates to develop a comprehensive new design intended to update the venue and make it more a part of Downtown’s streetscape. Brown said the concept takes into account some of the best elements of public spaces throughout the United States and the world combined with input from locals who expressed their desires for use of the space. The No. 1 priority, based on best design
at 2 p.m. today at the JAX Chamber. On Tuesday, Jacksonville City Council approved taxpayer incentives of $393,600 for Macquarie, identified only by its code name. Those incentives comprise a Qualified Target Industry grant of up to $147,600 and a training grant up to $246,000. In total, Macquarie seeks almost $1.77 million in city and state incentives for the Jacksonville operation. It seeks a Downtown location, but has not identified one. Macquarie Group is based in
Howard White, founder of North Florida Builders, adopted one of 13 old homes that need repairs at City Rescue Mission. The homes will be for former addicts who are transitioning back into the community. The organization has financial commitments for seven of the homes. But, it still needs help with the remaining six.
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Howard White figured it wouldn’t take much in repairs to make the early 20th century house livable. A remodeled bathroom and kitchen, a new HVAC system, updates to the electric and plumbing. The payout could be huge, though. When it’s finished, it’ll be a transition home for people who’ve beaten addiction and the problems behind it. White has “adopted” the house, one of 13 that have fallen into disrepair and now need attention. They’re owned by City Rescue Mission, a faith-based group that shelters and counsels homeless people with addiction issues. “Some people are just down and out and need others to give them a helping hand,” said White, founder of North Florida Builders. One person who might need that help is Carol (last names are not shared). After 15 months at City Rescue Mission, she’s begun to look for a job. With a felony on her record and a history of violence, she’s already finding it tough. “I’m not violent anymore. I’m not even the same person,” she said. Until there’s steady work, a house with low rent could become the life raft she’ll need to get by. Jacksonville has five homeless shelters. The one at City Rescue Mission provides emergency services, a drug recovery program, workforce development and a Christian curriculum. As a faith-based program, City Rescue Mission doesn’t qualify for government funding and relies entirely on donations. Even more challenging, people who’ve been in the drug recovery program often can’t qualify for low-income housing once they leave. That’s because after being at City Rescue Mission for a year, they’re no longer considered homeless. “They need a place to live. They can’t just go back to drug haven,” executive director Penny Kievet said.
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consecutive weekdays