Daily Record Financial News &
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Vol. 102, No. 197 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Walton International Group USA will be expanding into Northeast Florida with the acquisition of 692 acres in North Jacksonville for residential development. Bob Sebesta, general manager of the Walton Group of Companies in Florida, confirmed the acquisition Tuesday. The property is 17 miles north of Downtown and 2 miles west of Interstate 95. “This purchase is part of Walton’s continuing commitment to investing within Florida’s northern and central regional marketplaces,” said a news release from the company. The deed shows the property at Arnold, Pecan Park and Lannie roads. Sebesta said there are no confirmed details or a construction timeline. Walton Acquisitions FL LLC paid almost $3.91 million for the property from William G. Wright and Rebecca A. Wright, who also is known as Rebecca O. Wright. HSBC Bank Canada issued a $1.95 million mortgage to Walton. The deed was executed Aug. 11 and the mortgage was issued Friday. The documents were recorded Friday with the Duval County Clerk of Court. Walton International and Walton Acquisitions are based in Scottsdale, Ariz., according to the mortgage. The Walton Group of Companies is a privately owned multinational real estate investment, planning and development group that concentrates on research, acquisition, administration planning and development in North America growth areas. It says it has nearly 97,000 acres of land under administration and management. Walton has been in business for more than 30 years. It says it takes a long-term approach to land planning and development. ”Our goal Mathis
continued on
Page A-2
Photo by Carole Hawkins
692 acres sold for North Jax housing
Amanda Searle, an agent with Magnolia Properties, specializes in historic homes. She and her husband renovated their own home in Springfield.
Realtor enjoys selling history
Springfield woman sees new value in old homes By Carole Hawkins Staff Writer Amanda Searle as a high school student would hang out with her friends in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood before it was redeveloped. Being the daughter of Tampa’s city planner would give her a bird’s-eye view of its eventual transformation — from a district filled with old Cuban cigar factories, bars and restaurants into a tourist destination. Today, a Springfield resident and Realtor who specializes in historic properties, Searle is inspired by the same kind of transformation happening in Jacksonville. “I like seeing development breathe life
into old communities,” she said. “I don’t think I could be in real estate if I only sold homes in new communities.” The definition of “historic” can be elusive, though. As she showed a renovated two-story Victorian at 1923 Market St., she pointed out its full front porch, a characteristic of the Springfield neighborhood. Not so characteristic, perhaps, was its backyard Zen garden, built-in pool and spa. “Every house is rebuilt during the course of its lifetime,” she explained. Historic means there are defining features from the original period that remain. Residents who buy in Springfield want the large base molding, crown molding,
inlaid wood flooring and a full-length front porch, Searle said. The Market Street home offered these with a bonus — original builtin cabinets. At the same time, many residents want their historic homes updated for modern use. So at 1923 Market St., there also are drop lights and a new kitchen, with oak cabinets and tile countertops. It offers an open floor plan — due to the demolition of a wall separating the kitchen and dining room and the widening of a doorway between the kitchen and living room. If it sells for the list price, $280,000, it could be the top sale in Springfield, said Searle continued on Page A-3
More cops, Journey key to fighting crime By Max Marbut Staff Writer
Williams
Public
Public safety in Jacksonville will focus on three stages: prevention, intervention with firsttime offenders and enforcement. That was the message delivered Monday by Sheriff Mike Williams to the Rotary Club of Jacksonville. The sheriff said having 40 more police officers in the budget being considered by City Council is a step in the right direction to make Jacksonville a safer place to live. Williams cited 2011, when Jacksonville experienced the lowest level of crime — particularly violent crime — in 40 years with
legal notices begin on page
A-10
“We have got to keep young people off the street corners where they meet the drug dealers and gang members.” Sheriff Mike Williams nearly 150 more officers on the street than today. Also included in the proposed budget are funds to hire 40 community service officers who will handle accident reports, traffic control and other duties that don’t require a sworn officer with a badge and a gun.
But there was more to the low crime rate in 2011 than having more police officers on the beat. “We also had Jacksonville Journey funding,” said Williams, who took office July 1. The Journey began during Mayor John Peyton’s administration as a way to involve the com-
Published
for
26,726
munity in reaching young people before they become involved in crime. Over the years, programs were cut back or eliminated entirely. Williams views the restoration of the after-school and mentorship programs as a key element in reducing crime in the future. “We have got to keep young people off the street corners where they meet the drug dealers and gang members,” he said. He said being able to influence a young person at 6 or 7 years old with a program designed to lead them away from crime will reap benefits a decade from now. That will require city funding for Williams continued on Page A-2
consecutive weekdays