Building Up Jax: “Jag-Wire” gondola plans revived; Jones Bros. building revival approved

“JAG-WIRE” GONDOLA PLANS REVIVED

Over a decade after Phase I of Kings Avenue Station was completed, developer and Chase Properties president Mike Balanky is bringing back his ambitious plans for Phase II.

Balanky announced his proposal this past week. The project would involve a 28-story mixed-use building next to Phase I, on a site that currently acts as a parking lot for The Bearded Pig and storage for Overland Bridge construction materials.

And, much more notably, he also proposed the “Jag-Wire”, a gondola system carrying traffic across the St. Johns River. Its Southbank station would likely be on land near where The District is set to be built, and Northbank stations would be located near the old courthouse and near TIAA Bank Field.

Balanky had proposed both ideas around a decade ago, but was unable to move forward due to the recession.

He estimates the project’s price tag at $80 million – which presumably does not include the cost of the Jag-Wire. Pending litigation between Balanky and JTA would have to be resolved prior to the project moving forward.

JONES BROS. FURNITURE BUILDING RESTORATION APPROVED

The Downtown Investment Authority voted this week to approve funding for the restoration of the Jones Bros. Furniture building on Hogan St.

The project entails a $11 million renovation of the historic building, and the adjacent building that used to be home to Farah’s Uptown Deli, into apartments, retail and office space.

As part of the deal, the city would kick in $2.4 million and would also sell a nearby parking lot to the developer.

CANTINA LOUIE EXPANDING TO TINSELTOWN

Cantina Louie received a permit for buildout at 9726 Touchton Rd.

The space was most recently used as a seafood restaurant. It’ll be the fourth Northeast Florida location for Cantina Louie, which is looking to continue expanding and has plans for spots in St. Johns County and off of Monument Rd.

LEGAL-THEMED BAR COMING TO BAY STREET

The Justice Pub, a legal-themed bar and lounge, will open in mid-April in the former Mark’s location at 315 E. Bay St. downtown, according to Jax Daily Record.

The bar will be headed by Ian Ranne, who has also previously opened Shantytown Pub, Nighthawks, and Raindogs.

NOTED PROJECTS

• The partners behind The District announced this week in a press release that they’ve retained Kitson & Partners to oversee the project’s development. The Palm Beach Gardens-based firm was the developer of the new solar-powered South Florida town Babcock Ranch.
• Full Psycle, an indoor cycling chain, received a permit for buildout at 13475 Atlantic Blvd.
• Thaice Rolled Ice Cream received a permit for buildout in the shopping center at 12620 Beach Blvd., anchored by Publix.
• St. Vincent’s Healthcare received a permit for the buildout of its future clinic at 6699 Gate Parkway.
• Four different permits were issued this week for the construction of a new Wawa location at 9731 Beach Blvd.