Mixed-used concept gets DRC OK

[bobliocatt]

A proposed apartment, retail and office condo project would go up near new courthouse.

The committee, a branch of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, signs off on new building designs downtown and ensures all new or renovated projects comply with the area's zoning.

Among the concepts the authority approved Thursday: LandMar Group LLC's proposed Riverwalk extension at the Shipyards, which includes a 680-foot-long public pier and a series of historically-themed parks; Metropolitan Parking Solutions' Downtown Parking Garage near the site of the proposed Duval County Courthouse; Fidelity National Financial's three-story private guest lodge; and a proposed Easton Sanderson & Co. apartment, retail and office condominium project.

The Fidelity project received final approval, and the others were approved conceptually -- the authority will need to review them again before the developers can proceed with construction.

Full Article

[Captain Obvious]

Well it seems like some of y'alls wishes have been granted. The traditionalist elements appear to have been stripped from the 323 Duval design.

Also, it's nice to know exactly why the project has been delayed. Now we can thank Peyton for another $50 million in lost downtown economic activity.

[bobliocatt]

^The new design looks the Ed Ball Building with a glass atrium on the corner. Personally, I liked the original (modern) version better. Anyway, it probably won't matter since the courthouse won't be built probably for another 20 years. I'm sure this could possibly be the hold up on the old JEA Building, as well, since it's a very similar project.

[RiversideGator]

The new design is mediocre at best. Why did they drop the previous one? And how does this fit in with the Ambassador Hotel next door (my answer: not at all). The bottom line is these Easton Sanderson boys are just tacky people (to say nothing of Eddie Farrah whose bad taste speaks for itself). Having purchased an historic building from some of these guys which they had mutilated, I think I have first hand knowledge of this.

[RiversideGator]

However, with our bungling mayor, this project will not see the light of day for many moons if ever.

[Urban_Legend]

OK, this is the 3rd rendering of 323 I've seen, and it's the worst, IMO.

And it's great to hear that they approved the Econo-Lodge, hands down! Can't wait for that building to pop up! :|

[FLORIDA SKYRISE ORDER]

Here is the URL/web address for the 323 Duval concept/project:

http://www.escresults.com/323_Duval_St.htm

FLORIDA SKYRISE ORDER

[wolfdawg54]

It is just ashame that they are coming up with so many good ideas which will not be built for a while because of setbacks. We will just have to wait and see.