Daily Record Financial News &
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Vol. 103, No. 092 • One Section
Council taking up old business
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Jim Thompson Executive VP of operations for Regency Centers Corp.
Rendering from Regency Centers Corp.
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San Marco project finally a reality
We think it is going to enhance the already existing charm of the retail on the (San Marco) Square.
By David Chapman Staff Writer
Uber, Lyft
www.jaxdailyrecord.com
$60M project • 239 apartments • Publix anchors retail space
Uber, Lyft regulation back in local hands Back in November, a City Council committee dedicated to regulating transportation companies like Uber and Lyft hit the brakes. The state legislative session began meeting in January. There was hope — much like the year prior — the Legislature would solve myriad issues with ridesharing companies. Tallahassee had failed last year and the local committee wanted to press on, just in case the Legislature came up short again. It came up short again. The two chambers couldn’t agree on whether local governments should have any say in local regulation. So for at least another year, it will be up to local governments like Jacksonville that are dealing with the controversy to decide what’s best. The Vehicles for Hire Committee has met monthly since the session started in January, but held off on moving forward with any major regulation. Instead, it kept an eye on the Legislature. “They didn’t do anything, which is unfortunate,” said council member Matt Schellenberg, who chairs the committee. The group meets again today for the first time since the session ended and Schellenberg said there needs to be progress. That means reaching an agreement on background checks, vehicle inspections and insurance requirements for the technology-based ridesharing companies. Local legislation that’s been parked more than a year requires at least state insurance minimums and notice to the city of that coverage, along with fines and possible vehicle seizure and impoundment if city laws aren’t followed. Schellenberg favors some parts of the Florida House bill relating to insurance coverage, calling it a “blueprint on where the state is going.”
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Construction to start late summer
By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor This time, it appears all systems are go for construction to start in late summer for the longawaited Publix-anchored East San Marco retail and apartment development. Completion of the estimated $60 million development is expected in late 2018, when the 239 apartments on top of 46,000 square feet of retail space will be completed at the corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Hendricks Avenue. Publix Super Markets Inc. will anchor it with a 32,500-square-foot store, finally making real a deal that first surfaced in 2002. Another five
to seven retail shops, including a chef-driven restaurant, are possible to round out the retail space. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Jim Thompson, executive vice president of operations for Regency Centers Corp., which owns the property and will run the retail portion. The site is a block east of the San Marco Square shopping and entertainment district. “We think that this product is going to be very well embraced by the local community. We think it is going to enhance the already existing charm of the retail on the Square,” Thompson said Monday. The development will anchor what Thompson considers to be the “Main and Main” location in San Marco. Jacksonville-based Regency Centers LLC announced today that ArchCo Residential, Whitehall Realty Partners LLC and Bluerock Residential Growth REIT Inc. are partnering to develop the 4.33-acre mixed-use project on the vacant site. San Marco continued on Page A-2
A rendering of East San Marco project at Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard.
Final cut made for inaugural Spark Walk From Staff One creator wants to build 3-D models to show the potential of city-owned properties Downtown. Another plans a mobile art business to reach women, children and families. And a third plans to create face masks that allow hospital patients and employees to see facial expressions and read lips. Those are among the 66 projects that will be part of the inaugural Spark Walk Creator Showcase from noon-10 p.m. April 6.
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The majority come from Northeast Florida, with just a dozen selected from outside the area. The event will combine the entrepreneurial focus of One Spark with the energy of the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk. The public event will span 15 Downtown blocks. Creator projects will line Laura Street and be located at the Jacksonville Landing. The latter projects are part of the Spark Walk Idea Market, according to a news release. In all, 39 of the applicants were invited to the Landing
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See a list of all 66 projects on Page A-4. showcase. Art Walk’s performers and artists will be stationed in Hemming Park and in Downtown businesses. The venture is a collaboration of One Spark and Downtown Vision Inc. Spark Walk also will feature two music stages and a food truck village, features that return from
past One Spark events. On April 7, pre-selected projects will be invited to take part in the One Spark Venture Spark Tank. The private event allows selected exhibitors to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for feedback and guidance. The top three, as judged by the panel, will be awarded access to the Microsoft BizSpark Plus program, valued at $120,000. The top creator will be awarded the One Spark Ventures seat to a future PS27 Ventures Academy and Accelerator Program. The day also is Creator Innova-
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tion Day at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. The daylong program highlights 60 speakers on a range of topics along with expert presentations, workshops and breakout sessions to help entrepreneurs. That event is curated by Jax Community Entrepreneurs and One Spark Ventures to help young businesses launch and grow. Creator Innovation Day tickets are available to the public for $20. For information on each creator project, visit onespark.com/2016spark-walk-creators.
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