$90M project could revamp Laura Street Trio, Barnett Bank building in downtown Jacksonville

A major investment could redefine downtown Jacksonville.

The nearly $90 million project could transform several of downtown’s longstanding vacant buildings -- the Laura Street Trio and the Barnett Bank building -- adding a Marriott hotel, office space and apartments.

One store manager said she’s been waiting for a project like this to happen.

Her business is just down the street from the Laura Street Trio of buildings. She’s been waiting years for the buildings to be redeveloped and she hopes this new project will help attract more customers and redefine Jacksonville’s downtown.

For years, the Barnett bank building in downtown Jacksonville has stood dark and vacant. Just across the street, it's a similar sight of the Laura Street Trio.

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“It breaks my heart, they’re beautiful, beautiful buildings,” said Jennifer O’Donnell, the general manager for Chamblin’s Uptown.

Buildings that could soon see big changes if the Downtown Investment Authority approves a $90 million project that would include adding a hotel, apartments and office spaces.

“Downtown will become a destination again … with that, we’ll have more people walk by and say 'Oh hey, there’s a book store, let’s go in,'” O'Donnell said.

The redevelopment could attract more people downtown and also keep those that work in the area for entertainment after work, something Action News Jax spoke about on the phone with Aundra Wallace, CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority.

“If you want to partake in activities going on within downtown, we’re striving to make sure those activities are these for you to do just so,” Wallace said.

Wallace also said the project could also turn Jacksonville into a hub for surrounding communities.

“You can’t be a suburb to nowhere and within any urban environment the urban core is the heartbeat of that particular city,” Wallace said.

It's a change that O'Donnell would love to see. Just out the front door of her bookstore, she can see the now vacant buildings, something she hopes will soon change.

"This is what we need, going through this I’m excited. … I’m excited to watch the build out and then watch it prosper,” O'Donnell said.

City incentives total about $9.8 million. If the redevelopment project is approved by the DIA Board of Directors at their 9 a.m. Wednesday meeting, it will move to file legislation with City Council to approve the incentives package. If all goes well, Wallace said we could see construction start in summer into fall.

“In the three and a half years that I’ve been here in Jacksonville, this project is as close and as comfortable as you’re going to see in any particular real estate market of the project moving forward and being totally complete,” Wallace said.

To see more information about the project, read the DIA board meeting's agenda.

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