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Redevelopment: Hometown Downtown- Northeast- May 2004
The key elements of the city's recently adopted master plan, Nugent explains, are four "catalytic sites" -- city-owned properties officials hope to transform into private, mixed-use developments using favorable lease terms and $1.8 million in incentives.
If all goes as planned, these "catalysts" will spark a chain reaction that leads to similar projects across Ocala's city center.
"This plan zeroes in on economics," says Nugent. "We've been making infrastructure and other improvements over the last seven years. Now it's time to get people to come downtown."
The ultimate goal of the city's master plan is to create a residential community in downtown Ocala -- restoring a part of the city's past that was lost during the flight to the suburbs in the 1960s and '70s. Officials point to the plan as the final piece in an ambitious revitalization effort that has included renovations to Ocala's central business square and other historic sites.
The city will soon ask companies to submit development proposals for the chamber of commerce, library and Bank of America buildings and two large parking lots. (The master plan also includes overhauling the art deco Marion Theater, which will remain a community theater and movie hall.)
Prospective developers will be challenged to meet design criteria hashed out in public forums and spelled out in a report prepared by city consultants Moore Iacofano Goltsman Inc. The success of each project relies on a self-sustaining mix of residential and commercial that officials hope will entice people to live and -- more importantly -- shop, eat and conduct business downtown.
The city envisions 230 high-end condominium units, most of which will be located above retail and office space.
Nugent says getting people to move downtown is perhaps the least problematic aspect of the plan. It will be more difficult, he says, to draw and retain quality retailers.
"Our private partners will have to show a proven ability to attract retail," says Nugent. "Fortunately, downtown revitalization is a nationwide phenomenon. We are seeing interest from a lot of out-of-town developers with experience in exactly what we're doing here."
While city officials have committed $1.8 million in incentives, they are asking bidding firms to suggest how and where that money should be spent.
"Incentives will be negotiated with developers," says Nugent. "We expect they will tell us how best that money can be used."
IN THE NEWS
Baker County -- County Manager Jason Griffis demoted planning director Judy Pittman to clerk at the Taber Public Library -- the most controversial move involving a wide-ranging shake-up of county offices.
Gov. Jeb Bush appointed retired educator Naomi Roberson to the Baker County School Board, filling a vacancy created by the death of Jeanine Harvey.
FLORIDA TRENDLINE?MILITARYEconomic Boost
The military has a $6.1-billion economic impact on Jacksonville's economy, according to Jacksonville Cornerstone, the area's economic development group. Other military facts:
16 of every 100 Jacksonville area residents are connected with the Navy, either through active or reserve duty, as a retiree, civilian employee or member of a military family.
Only Norfolk, Va., and San Diego have a higher concentration of Navy personnel.
The area's four naval bases employ more than 56,000 and have a combined annual payroll of $1.59 billion.
80% of the more than 4,100 military personnel who exit or retire from military service every year stay in the Jacksonville area.
Source: Jacksonville CornerstoneFernandina Beach -- Nassau County commissioners are objecting to the proposed creation of a community redevelopment agency, claiming it will drain tax dollars from county services. The redevelopment agency, which needs state approval, will allow the city to redirect $16.8 million in area tax revenue to waterfront improvements.
Gainesville -- Women hold one in four full-time faculty positions at the University of Florida and account for just 13% of full professorships, according to a nationwide survey of major universities conducted by the University of Oklahoma. In addition, only two of UF's 39 eminent scholars -- the highest faculty rank -- are women.
The Food and Drug Administration gave Exactech Inc. (Nasdaq-EXAC), an orthopedic products manufacturer, permission to produce and market a bone paste used to heal bones and fill in bone lost to disease or trauma.
Interlachen -- Former town council Chairman John D. Lyles, 77, is the city's new mayor. He replaces Ralph Godwin, who held the post since 1994.
Jacksonville -- The port authority will buy 100 acres east of the Dames Point Bridge for a permanent cruise ship terminal, negating the need for ships to navigate beneath the bridge. One cruise ship currently clears the Dames Point by less than one foot when sailing to the port's temporary cruise terminal on the St. Johns River.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens broke weekend attendance records during the opening of its "Range of the Jaguar" exhibit, with 16,773 visitors.
Midland Development will build 69 lofts, 21 town homes and adjoining retail shops on Riverside Avenue across from Memorial Park.
Sunset Financial Resources, a real estate investment trust, went public with an initial offering valued at approximately $130 million.
Mayor John Peyton appointed Joe Barrow Jr. to the board of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission. Barrow is a senior vice president of the World Golf Foundation and the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis.
The Loop Restaurant Group sold franchise rights for 20 restaurants in North Carolina to Southern Slice Inc., which plans to open Loop Pizza Grills in the Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington areas. The deal would nearly double the number of Loop franchises in the Southeast.
Following weeks of often contentious negotiations, the city and owners of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars agreed on a $13-million plan for additional renovations to Alltel Stadium using taxpayer money. The improvements will include painting, new carpet and two new Jumbotron video screens.
Pittsburgh-based Basis100, which provides data intelligence and analytics to mortgage providers, plans to move some of its office functions from Pittsburgh to Jacksonville this summer. The move is expected to add about 35 jobs to the company's Jacksonville operation.
CarMax plans to break ground next month on a $15-million, 400-vehicle dealership. Completion is planned for early 2005.
Household International is closing its automotive finance division in Jacksonville. The move will result in 119 job losses at its call center.
Jacksonville-based Stein Mart (Nasdaq-SMRT) reported an 89% decrease in profits in 2003, with net sales down 3.3% to $1.3 billion.
Nassau County -- County commissioners refused to rezone the Woodbridge and Woodbridge East planned developments. The proposed land-use change would have allowed developer Dan McCranie to build 591 homes east of C.R. 107.
Palatka -- The Home Depot's 128,000-sq.-ft. store at S.R. 19 and Weaver Road is scheduled to open July 1 with a staff of nearly 150.
Putnam County -- Sheriff Taylor Douglas will not seek re-election after 16 years as the county's top law enforcement officer. Candidates to replace Douglas (and become just the third sheriff in the past 50 years) include county undersheriff Maj. Dean Kelly, former deputy Mark Solomon and Palatka Police Department Sgt. Alex Sharp.
St. Johns County -- The 75-year-old American Culinary Federation, a non-profit that educates and certifies professional chefs, will move its headquarters from St. Augustine to the World Golf Village.
Julington Creek Plantation had 994 housing starts in 2003, the most of any northeast Florida subdivision last year, according to American Metrostudy. The rest of the top five in the northeast: Oak Leaf Plantation (Clay County), 581; World Golf Village (St. Johns), 296; Watermill (Duval County), 258; Fleming Island Plantation (Clay), 218.
Film Production
HEADED FOR THE BIG SCREEN
NORTHEAST FLORIDA -- Filming for a movie based on the bestseller "The Celestine Prophecy" will take place by May in Rainbow Springs State Park and St. Augustine. Real Florida Film Commissioner Jude Hagin says sites will double for Lima, Peru, the focus of James Redfield's novel about a man's spiritual quest.
