Building Up Jax, 10/1: Cowford Chophouse update, next step for Brooklyn pharmacy

There wasn’t a whole lot of news this week, after last week’s big Project Velo headline. We have a few projects noted, as well as two stories that could have a bigger impact down the line than they do right now: the Cowford Chophouse project, and the efforts to bring a pharmacy to Brooklyn Station.

Chophouse update

We have a brief update on the progress of construction on downtown’s Cowford Chophouse.

The project, which had fallen behind for a while, is now starting to heat up. Its permits were approved by the city earlier this month, and framing and plumbing work is partially completed. The next steps will include electrical and foundational work and the beginning of construction on the second-floor kitchen.

Danis Construction is the contractor on the project, which is a restoration of the Bostwick Building spearheaded by Jacksonville-based Forking Amazing Restaurants.

While there’s still a long way to go, it’s exciting to see the project finally moving forward. When completed next year, the restaurant will feature a two-story dining room and a rooftop bar and lounge.

Land swap = pharmacy for Brooklyn?

A swap of land between the city and a real estate firm may be the next step to bringing a pharmacy to Brooklyn.

According to Jax Daily Record, the City of Jacksonville agreed to swap out a stretch of land along Riverside Avenue in exchange for five smaller parcels along Magnolia St. being transferred to the city by Regency Realty Group Inc. Those parcels transferred to the city will be used to construct a 30-space parking lot to serve the Brooklyn Station shopping center as well as other nearby developments.

The land the city is giving to Regency Realty Group has long been rumored as the future site of a national pharmacy. When Brooklyn Station was originally being developed, CVS Pharmacy was attached to the project. However, issues with creating an urban-friendly design held the project back, and ultimately Brooklyn Station was completed without the presence of a pharmacy.

Recently, however, discussions have heated back up with an undisclosed national pharmacy (possibly CVS again) in the interest of bringing a pharmacy to the Brooklyn area. As of right now, the closest pharmacy is a Walgreens located in Avondale.

Noted projects

• As a result of a brand revamp at Southeastern Grocers, six area Winn-Dixie stores will be converted to Harveys Supermarket stores, according to Jax Daily Record. Here’s the addresses of the stores affected: 777 Market St., 3000 Dunn Ave., 2261 Edgewood Ave. W., 5909 University Blvd. W., 203 W. 48^th St., and 5250 Moncrief Rd.
• Lumen LED obtained a permit for $101,000 of build-out at Regency Square Mall, suggesting it will be one of International Decor Outlet‘s many home decor tenants.
• The city received a $5 million permit for foundational work on the future site of Daily’s Place at EverBank Field. Additionally, the canopy at Metropolitan Park across the street is being removed in anticipation of the project.
• Apple received a permit for the $3.4 million build-out of its new location at the St. Johns Town Center, located in the former Forever 21 building.
• An Urban Land Institute study indicated that Jacksonville needs to redevelop the city-owned Southbank property that features MOSH and River City Brewing, according to Jacksonville Business Journal.