Daily Record Financial News &
Friday, February 26, 2016
Vol. 103, No. 075 • One Section
35¢ www.jaxdailyrecord.com
Posted jobs are similar to Omega Ernst & Young filling positions for local ‘delivery center’
By Karen Brune Mathis Managing Editor Job websites have posted openings for positions in an Ernst & Young Financial Services Office Solutions Delivery Center in Jacksonville. Indeed.com and hirepurpose. com are two of the sites that have posted jobs such as quality assurance associate analyst, technology associate analyst and associate analyst. It was unclear whether the
postings referred to jobs to be hired for the global accounting firm’s Jacksonville tax advisory services office in the Wells Fargo Center downtown or for a separate unit. Associates in the Downtown office said they could not comment and would need to refer questions to a corporate office. However, the postings describe a center similar to that of “Project Omega,” an unidentified public accounting firm that wants to create a new financial services
Suns, city negotiating long-term extension
operation in Jacksonville. City Council approved incentives Tuesday night for up to $450,000 in Qualified Target Industry tax refunds for the company to create 450 IT consulting/ financial services jobs by yearend 2019. It did not announce the name of the company. Ernst & Young spokesman John La Place said Thursday he is based in New York and is trying to find out information from regional public relations associ-
ates about the posted Jacksonville jobs. He said he would call when he had information. City spokeswoman Tia Ford said Thursday morning in checking with the city Office of Economic Development, there is no information available regarding Project Omega at this time and there was no general knowledge of the job postings. The JAX Chamber and JAXUSA Partnership said it could not comment. The partnership is the economic development arm of
the JAX Chamber. According to the development agreement with the city, the unidentified accounting firm would create jobs that pay an average $49,340 annually. This year, the company would create 75 jobs, followed by 100 next year, 125 in 2018 and 150 in 2019. The city’s documents say the state would provide incentives of $2.835 million, comprising $1.8 million in QTI refunds and a Omega continued on Page A-2
Proposal would give more money to team
A new home in Hemming Park Vernon Johnson operates the rollback truck as MOSH crew members, from left, Russell Bailey and Cory Grooms steady the MOSH Mouth as it is unloaded at its new home Thursday in Hemming Park. The 18 1/2-foot long sculpture has been at the Museum of History and Science since 2009 but is being relocated to make room for the facility’s Health in Motion exhibit. See more photos on Page A-3.
Demolishing past, building future Payne Avenue getting rid of blight By David Chapman Staff Writer
Rent and tickets
The Suns would pay $100,000 per year for rent and $30,000 annually for a ticket surcharge. The rental fee could be adjusted after 15 years, based on Consumer Price Index changes. The ticket surcharge is fixed. The current deal has the team paying $93,458 annually and a $2 ticket surcharge after attendance exceeded 187,500 through the gates. Suns continued on Page A-4
Public
These apartments are part of a demolition project to rid blight just off Payne Avenue. Along with the buildings across the street, they’re coming down to make way for 12 single-family homes in Northwest Jacksonville.
legal notices begin on page
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Photo by David Chapman
Before the Jacksonville Suns play their first game under new owner Ken Babby, the team and city could have a deal that would keep the franchise at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at least 25 more years. The city and Babby have been in negotiations on a lease amendment at the Downtown facility. Babby submitted a proposal to the city at the start of the year as the basis for negotiations. The two sides are operating under a 10-year deal from 2003 that has two five-year extensions. The new deal would extend it 25 years with one five-year club option. Through his assisBabby tant, Babby declined an interview Thursday about the negotiations but said he will comment when appropriate. Likewise, city spokeswoman Tia Ford said discussions were ongoing and information would be shared once an agreement was reached. In all, the city has received more than $950,000 from Suns baseball games the past five years. SMG, which operates the city’s sports venues, has brought in almost $840,000.
Photo by Fran Ruchalski
By David Chapman Staff Writer
In the past decade, a cluster of 38 apartments along Payne Avenue had been a haven for drugs, violence and blight. They’re just a couple of blocks from Stanton College Preparatory School, one of the best high schools in the nation. They’re also along the S-Line Urban Greenway, a walkable railtrail that runs through neighborhoods like Durkeeville, Springfield and much of the urban core. Despite those positives, the Payne Avenue apartments sat for years just festering, bringing unwanted activity to the area.
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They’re now empty, windowless and essentially a shell of what they once were. And they’re coming down today, set to be replaced by 12 single-family homes. “The most common words I am hearing are ‘It’s about time,’” said Larry Rogers, head of the Hendersonville Neighborhood Association. “As a community, they’re past ready for that place to come down.” Mayor Lenny Curry, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and community members will be there to see the end of the eyesore and the beginning of a change for the better. Blight continued on Page A-4
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