Building Up Jax, 9/24: Main Event, Project Velo, and more

This week, the former Latitude 360 building officially gets a new tenant, a big distribution center project plans to bring 1,200 new jobs to Jacksonville, and several other projects are noted.

Latitude becomes Main Event

Main Event Entertainment was issued a permit this past week to redevelop the former Latitude 360 property at 10370 Philips Highway across from The Avenues.

The Texas-based company had previously indicated that they were interested in the space, and will now undertake a $3.97 million renovation in hopes of opening around the end of the year. The renovated complex will feature bowling, an arcade, laser tag, and a full-service bar and restaurant.

The space was previously home to Latitude 360, the Jax-based entertainment complex that shut down this past January amidst a storm of controversy over unpaid bills and its owner’s indifference.

Prior to Latitude, the building was home to Toys ‘R’ Us.

Project Velo

Another massive product distribution center is proposed for Jacksonville.

This past week, news broke about “Project Velo”, a $1 million distribution center being proposed at Cecil Commerce Center. The project would bring 1,200 new jobs to Jacksonville, and is seeking over $7 million in incentives from the city, according to Jax Daily Record.

Hillwood Investment Properties is expected to handle the purchasing and development of the land for the unnamed company behind this project.

While the company’s identity is still under wraps, the Daily Record noted the similarities to Amazon.com‘s previously-announced fulfillment center. It further noted that Amazon routinely builds multiple fulfillment centers in busy markets.

A vote from city council on the project is expected no later than mid-October, at which point more details are likely to be available.

Noted projects

• As we noted in our piece about development in Springfield, the proposed rezoning request for Main and Six Brewing Company at 1636 N. Main St. was approved at a hearing this past Tuesday. The next step of approval will be a vote from city council.
• CubeSmart will construct a $4 million self-storage complex at 3211 San Pablo Rd. S.
• Two Wendy’s locations will be getting a remodel, one at 9055 New Kings Rd. and one at 7663 Merrill Rd.
• Costco at the St. Johns Town Center is making slight renovations to its restaurant area, at a cost of $73,181.
• Permits were issued this past week for the final stages of construction for Portside Grille, a southern fast-casual restaurant opening at 2116 Talleyrand Ave.
• Permits were issued for the continuing construction of andThat!, the home décor brand owned by Bed, Bath & Beyond, at 8801-8805 Southside Blvd. The two permits totaled $2 million worth of build-out.
• A new 300-unit apartment complex called Steele Creek will be built near JTB next to The Loree, a recently completed complex, according to the Florida Times-Union.
• Racetrac has purchased around 4 acres of land along Philips Highway between Baymeadows and Sunbeam Rd., with the intent to build a convenience store and gas station there, according to the Times-Union.

Send in your questions!

We always welcome reader questions about upcoming projects, or even questions about areas or pieces of land that you’re curious about. We’ll feature your question, and our answer, in the next week’s edition of Building Up Jax!

Send your questions to buildingupjax@coastaljax.com, or shoot us a message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.