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Development: Location, Location, Parking- Northeast- Feb. 2004
Sleiman plans a 960-space garage to be exact -- the centerpiece of an ambitious three-part vision for an expanded "festival marketplace" that will anchor the city's downtown.
"We are an on-site garage away from bringing in the kind of national tenants we need to make this a real destination," says Sleiman. "We'll draw people not just locally but regionally as well."
His company, Sleiman Enterprises, recently purchased the 18-year-old Landing from original developer The Rouse Co. for $5 million. It was a bargain-basement price for a development that has undergone a number of conceptual facelifts over the years -- from upscale shopping mall to nighttime party spot to dysfunctional combination of the two -- none of which drew enough people to satisfy an ever-shifting roster of tenants.
The one constant was Rouse's battle with city officials over the absence of on-site parking.
A lifelong Jacksonville resident, Sleiman hopes his hometown connections will help him succeed where Rouse failed. Shortly after announcing his $60-million phase-one renovation plan, Sleiman asked city officials for an estimated $17.5 million in incentives. To push his proposal, Sleiman hired Mike Tolbert, a veteran political operative who ran Mayor John Peyton's campaign.
In addition to the garage, Sleiman's initial plans include a new entrance at Laura Street that will afford visitors a view of the St. Johns River, as well as space for more retailers and large restaurants. If city financing falls in place, construction could begin next month.
Sleiman admits The Landing's problems go beyond the lack of parking, including a perception that downtown is unsafe at night. He says statistics show the riverfront has relatively little crime and, in the end, the right combination of big-name stores and restaurants will help people overcome those fears.
The second stage includes designs for two six-story condo buildings and a "boutique" hotel. Phase three features a riverfront office tower. The entire project could cost $250 million, making it far and away the largest for Sleiman Enterprises. It also marks a shift for a company that made its money rehabbing suburban strip malls.
"We know the suburbs," says Sleiman, "and I know we can turn The Landing into such an experience that people will leave the suburbs to come downtown."
IN THE NEWS
Clay County -- Officials at Camp Blanding have suggested creating a three-mile buffer zone around the sprawling military base to regulate development. They are concerned a possible influx of high-density residential subdivisions could conflict with base activities.
Fernandina Beach -- A 50-unit Comfort Suites Inn will replace the aging Ocean View Inn near Main Beach Park.
Gainesville -- GloTech Industries has purchased Intra-Asia Entertainment Corp. and its Weifang Fuhua Amusement Park for an undisclosed sum. The park, located in China's Shandong Province, is the eighth-largest in Asia.
The state Supreme Court dismissed Shands hospital's appeal of a $10.83-million judgment awarded to an Ocala family in a malpractice case involving a 2-month-old boy who was left brain-damaged following surgery in 1996.
Jacksonville -- Raphael Brauch, the former general auditor of Barnett Banks, has sued Bank of America Corp. claiming it owes him and other former bank executives more than $150 million.
Marcus & Millichap, Florida's third-largest commercial brokerage, will open a Jacksonville office this year.
Expansion of the Trout River Bridge section of I-95 on the city's Northside will begin next year, six years ahead of schedule. The $66-million project will add two lanes to the highway between Lem Turner Road and Heckscher Drive.
Mayo Clinic will research causes and possible cures for Alzheimer's disease with a $10-million grant from the relatives of "Dear Abby" advice columnist Abigail Van Buren and an anonymous donor.
Julian "Jay" Fant III is the new president and CEO of First Guaranty Bank & Trust Co., the city's oldest bank. Fant succeeds his father, Julian "Hickory" Fant, who has run the bank since 1971.
George Spencer, president of the city's influential Longshoreman's Union, resigned after pleading no contest to felony witness tampering. The 18-year union officer was caught on tape arranging to bribe a rape victim so she would not testify against her attacker.
Non-profit JaxCare has started a two-year pilot program that will offer health insurance to up to 1,600 low-income workers through their employers. To qualify, employees must earn between 150% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Employers will pay $50 a month for each participating employee.
Developers will soon begin building the 1.1 million-sq.-ft. St. Johns Town Center at Butler Boulevard and St. Johns Bluff Road. The initial phase will include a Dillard's, Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble and Cheesecake Factory restaurant.
Lake City -- A Christian retirement community will be built on 40 acres near the Lifestyle Enrichment Center for Columbia County Senior Services. Still Waters at Lake City will include 72 cottage homes, 160 apartments, a 53-bed assisted living facility and 28 beds for memory-impaired patients.
Nassau County -- The St. Johns River Water Management District will buy more than 12,000 acres of wetlands from developer Stokes & Co. for $25.4 million. The land in the southwest portion of the county will be preserved as a water resource.
Ocala -- Central Florida Community College opened its $7.5-million Ewers Century Center and an adjacent 25,400-sq.-ft. Enterprise Center. The Ewers center will serve as a gateway to the college and as a center for corporate training, continuing education and business and technology credit programs. The Enterprise Center will provide workforce resources for businesses.
Putnam County -- Lowe's and Home Depot broke ground within days of each other on outlets on State Road 19.
St. Johns County -- The county approved 147 of 149 development requests last year, permitting the clearing of 33,000 acres and building of tens of thousands of homes.
Taxes
TAX TRADE-OFF
ST. JOHNS COUNTY -- Saying residents in the wealthy north are paying more than their share of taxes, County Commissioner Bruce Maguire has proposed lowering property taxes by 20% and making up the difference by raising the county's sales tax from 6% to 7%.
