March 29, 2024

Northeast Business Briefs - Aug. 2004

Bob Snell | 8/1/2004

Alachua County -- Commissioners will ask voters in November to approve a seven-year, half-cent local sales tax increase to pay for an estimated $84 million in improvements to county recreation areas.

Clay County -- Jacksonville-based The Hutson Cos. sold 37 acres in OakLeaf Plantation to Morrison Homes and Beazer Homes. The national builders will develop 382 townhouses in the 6,400-acre community.

Fernandina Beach -- Following weeks of public outcry, city commissioners removed all residential neighborhoods from a planned Community Redevelopment Agency area, cutting its size from 74 to 61 acres. The CRA plans to use tax money from the area to improve the city's aging waterfront.

Gainesville -- A divided City Commission rejected plans for a Wal-Mart Supercenter at NW 53rd Avenue and U.S. 441. Commissioners cited environmental concerns (the project is located at the headwaters of Hogtown Creek) and the potential impact on nearby small businesses.

Green Cove Springs -- The City Council is looking for offers to run the city's electric utility, which charges some of the highest rates in northeast Florida. While the utility generates $10.3 million in revenue -- more than $800,000 of which went into the city's general fund -- officials say they feel pressure from consumers to lower electric costs.

Jacksonville -- The Jacksonville Airport Authority estimates that revenue will rise 21% next year as 3 million passengers pass through its gates -- 500,000 more than in 2004.

The engineering firm Bessent Hammack Ruckman Inc. has leased 23,000 square feet in the newly renovated duPont Center on the Southbank from Flagler Development Co.

The Haskell Co. will restore and expand the central chilled water plant at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. -- a contract worth $34.7 million.

The University of North Florida will spend more than $65 million on campus renovation and construction projects over the next several years, including a library addition, new social sciences building and a $30-million student union.

The Avenues mall on the city's Southside announced a $5-million renovation plan.

The family of an Edward Waters College student slain on campus in April filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school, claiming administrators failed to provide adequate security. Shortly before he died, Johnathan Glenn wrote a class paper that complained about safety at the inner-city college.

Two homeless men are challenging the city's decision to waive public drinking laws for much of downtown during Super Bowl week in February. Lawyers for the men, who were arrested last winter for drinking alcohol in Treaty Oak Park, say the waiver proves anti-drinking laws are selectively enforced and target the poor and homeless.

Consultants are finalizing plans for a revitalized Brooklyn neighborhood that would include a mix of residential and commercial development, creation of a "grand park" and introduction of a trolley service to downtown.

Kirkland, Wash.-based Clearwire Corp. announced it will hire 100 people as it prepares to launch wireless high-speed internet service across the city.

Negotiations between the Jacksonville Symphony Board and the union representing orchestra musicians broke off after the board rejected a union proposal to reopen portions of the musicians' five-year contract in exchange for salary cuts.

Jacksonville Beach -- A new 1,300-foot-long pier is scheduled to open in late September. The $3.5-million pier includes a concession stand and bait shop and replaces a popular wooden walkway that was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

Lake City -- Mayor Ray Kirkland wants state transportation officials to look into building an additional exit on I-10 just northeast of the city. Kirkland says the access would enhance transportation and industrial development on the east side of town and offer commuters a quicker trip to Jacksonville.

Orange Park -- The Town Council agreed to allow restaurants and bars to sell alcohol beginning at 11 a.m. on Sundays, three hours earlier than in the rest of Clay County.

Palatka -- Downtown business advocates are asking residents to sign a petition as part of a marketing campaign to lure a supermarket chain. City officials say Publix is studying the feasibility of a downtown store.

Ponte Vedra Beach -- Global Axcess Corp. continued its ATM buying spree, paying an undisclosed amount for 700 automated teller machines from an unnamed company. The purchase is the third this year for the company, which now operates 2,500 ATMs.

St. Augustine -- The state Department of Transportation has chosen Virginia Beach, Va.-based Tidewater Shanska to restore the historic Bridge of Lions at a cost of $76 million.

St. Johns County -- The influential Civic Association Roundtable asked county commissioners to raise the pay of emergency workers as soon as possible to stem defections to higher paying Jacksonville. The county's fire-rescue department has lost 20% of its fire-fighters and paramedics over the last 18 months.

JEA
WALT BUSSELLS STEPS DOWN

JACKSONVILLE -- Longtime JEA Managing Director Walt Bussells resigned to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Bussells, who also quit as chief financial adviser to Mayor John Peyton, guided the municipal utility through a period of unprecedented growth and profitability.

FLORIDA TRENDLINE?
CountyDeposits
(in thousands)Credit
UnionsDuval$3,644,86913Broward 1,561,636 7Miami-Dade 1,058,99914Brevard 1,006,937 2Orange 800,568 5As of Dec. 31, 2002
Source: Florida Office of Financial Regulation
CREDIT UNION DEPOSITS
Banking
LENDING THEIR SUPPORT

Florida is home to 108 state-chartered credit unions. And while Miami-Dade County has more than any other county with 14, Duval's 13 credit unions have by far the most in deposits. Here are the five counties with the highest credit union deposits:

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