The Florida
Proton Therapy Institute planned next to Shands
Jacksonville in Springfield could generate hotel development
nearby.
At last week's Jacksonville Economic Development
Commission meeting, executive director Kirk Wendland was
asked whether land was available around the proposed center for
hotel construction. Organizers say that by the fourth year of
operation, patients and family members would generate 4,900 hotel
room nights in the area.
Wendland responded that there was nothing planned now, but maybe
later. "It's certainly a potential project for the future," he said.
Site clearing for the center should start in July, and
construction should take place in October. It would take two years
for completion. Perry-McCall Construction Inc. will be
the construction manager.
Plans filed with the Jacksonville Planning and Development
Department show the center will be built on 3.69 acres at at
2000 Jefferson St.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: City Councilwoman Alberta Hipps
and city general counsel Rick Mullaney updated the
commission about the joint city and council request for a
telecommunications master plan for Jacksonville.
Mullaney said the joint resolution calls for "a comprehensive
study of our telecommunications infrastructure." Hipps leads the
council's Special Committee on Telecommunications and
Technology.
The master plan could take six months and cost $200,000. Mullaney
told the commission that the plan could generate a countywide
network, whose advantages would include "enormous" economic
development advantages; high-speed Internet access for small users;
equal access to underserved areas of the city; a potential dedicated
revenue stream to the general fund; and better cable television
service.
"We truly have the opportunity to be the most wired community in
the country," Mullaney said. He also said that more than 300 cities
across the country are planning or building their own networks.
During the discussion, new commissioner Ceree Harden asked
whether the city has looked at how to support the proposed
Network Access Point in North Jacksonville. Wendland
responded that there have been several meetings, but that so far the
developers want to do the project by themselves. "We're certainly
willing to allow that to happen," Wendland said.
DOWN THE ROAD: In a discussion about the downtown
Development of Regional Impact, commission staff talked about
adjusting numbers to accommodate the capacity for residential units
on the Southbank. Lots of housing units are on the table for that
area, and there might be more. Commissioner Jim Citrano, who
is chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, wanted to
make sure that more can be accommodated. "My concern is there are
other projects to come along ... on the Southbank," he advised.
... Cecil Commerce Center has been under review for economic
development projects, and it's no secret that the Westside business
park would like to land something large. To that end, Cecil
Development Office Chief Andy Eckert told the commission
about wetlands mitigation credits and development, prompting
commissioner Kathy Barco to ask if those allocations can be
adjusted if necessary. Eckert assured her that the Jacksonville
Airport Authority, which operates the aviation part of the
center, the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station, could seek
adjustment. "Assume a large aircraft company" wants a site, he said,
"yes, we could provide that for them."
Karen Brune Mathis can be reached at 359-4305, by fax at
359-4090 or by e-mail at kmathis.
