A residential development that is expected to be a catalyst for downtown
economic development nears the start of construction.
Developers of The Parks of the Cathedral, a downtown town house development,
say construction of the 63-unit, three-story complex, is expected to begin next
week with the start of infrastructure work.
Vertical construction of the complex is expected to begin on Nov. 1.
The first residents are expected to move in by June 2001. The development
will be built on about 2 acres of land bordered by Church, Liberty, Ashley and
Market streets in downtown Jacksonville.
The construction had been delayed as officials of Bank of America Community
Development Corp., operating under the developer name of St. Johns Place LLC
searched for a contractor to build the project. The project is being built in a
three-way partnership with St. John's Cathedral, located at 256 E. Church St.,
the city and the bank.
The project represents the first wave of residences that will be built
downtown in decades. Other residential projects that are being developed over
the next two years in the downtown area are located in Springfield and at
Berkman Plaza.
For city officials, the start of the town house project makes the realization
clearer that downtown will soon be inhabited by more residents. And because of
that, additional commercial development, including retail, such as shops and
restaurants, could emerge.
"No retailer is going to come into an area without customers," said Paul
Krutko, director of the Downtown Development Authority.
"The first residents of downtown may not have as full of a service package as
they would have in other locations," Krutko said.
But he said retail development will eventually emerge in the downtown area as
the area becomes more populated.
Mark Vitner, an economist for First Union National Bank in Charlotte, N.C.,
said the recent development of town houses is only the start.
"It won't bring a Macy's department store, but it may bring a coffee shop or
another restaurant, but those things don't happen right away," said Vitner, who
previously lived in Jacksonville.
Vitner said the emergence of the Adam's Mark Hotel and a development
featuring side-by-side high-rise apartments and town houses at Berkman Plaza,
will add to the economic vitality of downtown Jacksonville.
Gregory and Jane Radlinski expect the downtown area to attract more economic
activity and reduce commutes to work. That's why they will be selling their
Orange Park home and moving downtown.
"The commercial interests will come and support the new residents that move
to the area," said Gregory Radlinski, an attorney who works downtown.
"There will be the emergence of restaurants, shops and boutiques to support
the residents," said Radlinski, who plans to walk about three blocks to work.
On Thursday, the Radlinskis were among 20 prospective owners of town houses
at the Parks at the Cathedral who had a chance to ask the developer, builder and
architect of the project questions about their new homes.
The Radlinskis plan to move into a 1,900-square-foot unit, one of the larger
town houses that will be built.
The units will range in size from about 1,300 square feet to about 1,900
square feet. The prices range from about $136,000 to $164,000 depending on the
unit's size and location.
So far, deposits have been received from prospective buyers on 28 units,
according to Mary Sorge, senior vice president of Bank of America Community
Development Corp. in Jacksonville.
Sorge said contracts should be finalized over the next two weeks.
