JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — One meeting could potentially change the face of a popular downtown corner.
You've seen it as you get off the Main Street bridge, the old Bostwick Building, which has a jaguar painted on it.
The developers of the old Bostwick Building want city money to renovate it into an upscale steakhouse, but before they get that money, they first have to prove it's worth it.
Shannon Mayhugh, who runs Mad Men Marketing next door, is excited about plans for the building.
"Anything that can create more of a destination type of situation in downtown Jacksonville is great," Mayhugh said.
Wine Lounge Concepts recently bought the building to turn it into an upscale steakhouse called Cowford.
But they'll need all the help they can get.
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"It takes a lot of money and it takes a lot of patience, but you have a local group that has a lot of pride in their city and want to make some changes downtown," said Oliver Barakat, Downtown Investment Authority chairman.
The new developers are set to go before the board. If all goes well, the DIA could recommend that they get $500,000 from the historic trust fund and about $250,000 for a low interest loan.
"It's got a lot of pluses because it's bringing in a high-end restaurant which is what we don't have enough of downtown," said Barakat.
Wine Lounge Concepts sent us this statement:
"The support from the DIA will help us on our path to revitalize a historic landmark and preserve a piece of history for the community in downtown Jacksonville."
It's money that would change a downtown corner, something Mayhugh said is not only wanted but needed.
"It's all about bringing life to downtown," she said.
It is still too early to say when renovations will begin at the old Bostwick building but once the DIA gives them the go ahead to receive the money, it will then go before City Council before anything is done.
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