This week in Building Up Jax, we have an exciting development in the form of the newly-announced Project Rex, which joins several other recent announcements of major projects to bring new jobs to the First Coast.

Amazon in Jax

Project Rex’s details were reported this week by several sources. The general consensus is that the project will be an Amazon shipment processing center. The massive 855,000 square foot building will be located on the Northside; specifically, it will be constructed at the corner of Duval Rd. and Pecan Park Rd. The project is expected to create around 1,500 jobs by 2019, almost doubling the combined total of the projects announced earlier in the year. According to Jax Daily Record, a final vote from city council on $13.4 million of incentives for the project will take place on April 26.

In total, the project is estimated to be valued at $200 million.

Elbow Exodus

Two key tenants will be leaving downtown’s The Elbow entertainment district, according to jacksonville.com. The popular Burro Bar opted to not renew its lease due to the landlord attempting to hike prices. Its neighbor, popular eatery Chomp Chomp, inquired about taking over Burro’s space, but found that the asking price was simply too much.

Rather than bicker over it, Chomp Chomp has decided that they will move to a location on Herschel Dr. at the site of a former Hungry Howie’s. The move is expected to take place in May.

The leasing agent of the building’s landlord claims that they have gotten inquiries already as to the soon-to-be-vacant space, but no replacements are imminent.

Some notes

• The Walmart location in Avenues Walk will receive a $750,000 renovation according to city records. The area is finally beginning to get the attention it deserves, with the recent addition of Chuck E Cheese’s and the expected development of a First Coast Flyer station.
• Goodwill will construct a $1,000,000 location on St. Augustine Rd. across the street from Publix, according to Jax Daily Record.
• If you’ve driven past the Outback Steakhouse on San Jose Blvd. the past couple of weeks, you’ve probably noticed that it’s undergoing an extensive remodel. The location had previously undergone an interior redesign a few years back, but this round of renovations will focus heavily on the exterior.
• Pennsylvania-based Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will open in the former Babies ‘R’ Us location at Regency Park Shopping Center on Atlantic Blvd., according to jacksonville.com. It will be the chain’s first Jacksonville location, and is expected to open in June.

See anything coming in around town that you want some details on? Shoot us an email at buildingupjax@coastaljax.com, and we’ll do our best to include it!