Building Up Jax, 10/22: Work on Lofts at LaVilla begins, GATE launches car wash company

This week in Building Up Jax: ground work has begun on a new affordable housing project in LaVilla, GATE Petroleum is launching a fleet of express car wash locations, and several other noted projects.

Lofts at LaVilla work begins

If you frequently pass by the LaVilla area, you may have noticed that work has begun on a large patch of land right across the street from the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

This land is set to become the Lofts at LaVilla, an affordable housing development. The 130-unit complex is being developed by Vestcor, with additional funding provided by the city.

The apartments will be available for rent to anyone whose income is below a certain threshold, based on the average median income in Florida.

This is the first substantive development project in the LaVilla area in years. Soon, the new Greyhound bus station will begin construction just down the street, and within the next year or so it’s hoped that work will begin on the Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center in this area as well. The combination of these projects could serve as the beginning of a revitalization effort to one of Jacksonville’s most historically-rich neighborhoods.

GATE launches car wash spin-off

One of Jacksonville’s biggest companies is expanding.

GATE Petroleum is entering the car-wash business with its new spin-off company, Gate Express Car Wash. The first location of this new business is set to open next year on Collins Rd.

Sites at six other locations have already been purchased: one at Philips Highway and Florida 9B, one at the intersection of Beach and Hodges Blvd., one in Nocatee, one in Durbin Park, one next to its station on Emerson St., and one on Florida A1A.

It’s working on purchasing several other sites as well, with the goal being around 20 locations in Jacksonville.

The locations will provide quick, automated car washes that cost as little as $5.

Mandarin South update

A series of permits totaling over $4 million of renovations were issued this week for the Mandarin South shopping center at 11700 San Jose Blvd. Additionally, a few more future tenants were revealed: Tijuana Flats, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, 1000 Degrees Pizza, Flooring Store, and Yogurt Mountain.

Noted projects

• Daily’s was issued a permit for build-out at 711 Duval Station Rd.
• A permit for the $325,482 build-out of Town Hall, a bar and restaurant coming to the San Marco Square, was issued Thursday. It will occupy the former location of The Grotto.
• Woof Gang Bakery will open in Fleming Island soon, via Jacksonville Business Journal.