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The Mathis Report: Culver’s seeking more area locations
May 9-15, 2019
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JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer FIREHOUSE
Firehouse Subs THE CEO Don FoxJACKSONVILLE reflects on the decision that triggered the company’s growth and offers insight into what’s ahead.
Garrard’s 2 fitness centers are closed
Record & Observer CATALYST
Signs at Retro Fitness franchise owned by former Jaguars QB cite financial problems.
JACKSONVILLE
BY DAN MACDONALD
Record & Observer T CONTRIBUTING WRITER
he success of Firehouse Subs isn’t dependent solely on customers liking the product. They also have to like Firehouse Subs, the company, which has been operating for 25 years. Don Fox, Firehouse Subs CEO, shared that insight with the Southside Business Men’s Club in April. Brothers and former firefighters Robin and Chris Sorensen founded the company in Jacksonville in 1994. It has grown to 1,161 restaurants in 46 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. It employs about 15,000 people. Fox joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 when the chain had 65 restaurants. He came from Burger King, which at the time was the nation’s second-largest hamburger chain
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Two Retro Fitness locations franchised by former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard are closed and no longer listed on the retrofitness.com website. Paper signs taped on the doors of Retro Fitness at 13475 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village and at 9802-05 Baymeadows Road in Baymeadows Village addressed to “Dear valued members” says the locations closed “as a consequence of unsustainable and continuing financial Garrard losses.” The letters on the doors say additional communications and information will be provided “in the forthcoming days” from Michael Moecker & Associates Inc. as the assignee of DMG One LLC and DMG Two LLC, which are led by Garrard. Fort Lauderdale-based Michael Moecker provides options to companies with financial problems, including insolvency, liquidation and disposition of assets. A Jacksonville Moecker representative and Garrard did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Retro Village leased 12,790 square feet in Baymeadows Village, according to the property brochure. It rented 11,614 square
JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer SEE FOX, PAGE 8
Firehouse Subs The restaurant was founded in Jacksonville in 1994.
1,161
Restaurants in 46 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
15,000 Employees
$42M
Donations in equipment to first responders.
Photo by Dede Smith
Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox joined the company in 2003 when it had 65 restaurants.
State showing strong growth in cannabis industry jobs PAGE 3 The Basch Report: iHeartMedia plans to go public PAGE 8 Savannah’s Tequila’s Town coming to Jacksonville PAGE 11
SEE GARRARD, PAGE 14
THE MENDENHALL REPORT
What’s happening with the Landing demolition And what could go in its place. PAGE 14 VOLUME 1, NO. 49 • ONE SECTION
WHAT’S TRENDING
Page 2 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Big news doesn’t break just on Thursday. Here’s a look at some of the top stories published over the past week online at JaxDailyRecord.com and in the Jacksonville Daily Record that you may have missed.
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Jacksonville-based CSX increased its quarterly dividend 33 percent over the past two years.
RAILROADS
Foote: It’s a historic time for CSX At CSX Corp.’s virtual shareholders meeting, CEO James Foote said the company’s overhaul of management two years ago is producing strong results. “I can say that your company’s operating better than at any time in its history,” he said. Foote said the company is “producing very strong cash flow” that is allowing it to reinvest in opportunities to grow the business, “and return cash to you, the owners of CSX.”
CSX’s board of directors has declared three 2-cent increases in quarterly dividend payments in the past two years, raising it from 18 cents a share to 24 cents. Foote thinks improved service from the railroad and CSX’s intermodal network will increase revenue for the company. “We’re gaining a larger share of the transportation (market) every day and hopefully that will continue,” he said.
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RESTAURANTS Duck Donuts sees more Jacksonville-area stores Duck Donuts franchise owner Craig Hutchings said his group will open the first restaurant, which sells made-toorder doughnuts, this summer in the Shoppes at Bartram Park and hire about 30 people. “We definitely have plans for additional locations in Jacksonville, but no set number,” Hutchings said. Duck Donuts allows customers
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to create their own combination of coatings, toppings and drizzles on freshly made vanilla cake doughnuts. Shoppes at Bartram Park is along Old St. Augustine Road off Interstate 95 in Duval County, near St. Johns County. “We look forward to growing our brand throughout Jacksonville,” Hutchings said.
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Black Knight’s Jabbour tops area executives in pay Black Knight CEO Anthony Jabbour was the highest paid CEO of a Jacksonville area public company in 2018, receiving a total compensation package of $20.7 million. Jabbour’s package included an estimated $16.9 million in stock awards granted when he joined the com-
Anthony Jabbour
pany in April 2018. Gary Norcross of Fidelity National Information Services Inc., or FIS, was the second-highest paid executive. He made 37% less in 2018. But that still left him with a total compensation package of $18.4 million. His pay package was much higher in 2017 because of bonuses awarded to FIS executives tied to the successful integration of SunGard Data Services Inc., a company acquired by FIS in 2015. Also in the top five for executive pay; Paul Boynton of Rayonier AM, $13.82 million; CSX CEO James Foote, $13.77 million; and Raymond Quirk, CEO of Fidelity National Financial, $9.08 million.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 3
BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS • EDITOR
Lylia Harris is the San Marco branch vice president for VyStar Credit Union. The branch, with nine employees, opened Dec. 4. The native of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the youngest of eight siblings, with five brothers and two sisters. She began working with VyStar in 2006. I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up. My mom was a seamstress and my dad was a baker. My mom and I would sew together, so I grew up learning how to sew. I left the small island of St. Thomas and went to Los Angeles at 17. It was a big culture shock.
my life. You have the key to help people, and it makes a big impact. My professional life has helped me personally about coaching, how to give feedback and how to receive feedback and how to listen. You can apply all the things that this organization teaches you to every aspect of your life.
My sister and I were in college – she for nursing and I was going for fashion. My mom could only afford for one of us to be in school, so I decided it was best for me not to pursue it any longer. In LA, I had no family and no support system. I came back to St. Thomas. When my son was about 1, I decided to go back into the workforce and banking was where I went at the age of 18.
One time in my career, one of my leaders said, someday you’re going to be a supervisor. She coached me and made me believe in myself. I became a supervisor not too long after that. This is my first branch as the vice president. College was a journey from age 18 to about two years ago. I did everything online because it would be hard for me to be a working mom and also go to school. It was a long journey but very rewarding. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of because of my siblings, only my sister and I have finished college. My family came to my graduation. It was one of the best things I’ve done in my life.
I started with FirstBank of the Virgin Islands and traveled to St. John every day. You take a 30-minute ferry where you’re watching this crystal blue clear water every day. At lunchtime I would take off my shoes and go sit on the beach and put my feet in the water. I was in paradise. It was fun. I had family in Jacksonville. Every summer my niece would come to St. Thomas or I would come here, and I loved it. I came to Jacksonville and stayed with my niece for some time and was trying to figure out, where do I go? I had a banking background and I worked for a couple of the big banks. I just didn’t feel like it was me. Somebody asked, what about a credit union? They said, VyStar is a very good company. I applied. It was one of the best life choices I’ve ever made.
Special to the Daily Record
I started off as a banking consultant where you share with people how to make wise choices for their financial life. The more I did it, the more I loved it. It’s rewarding because the members come back and say, you helped me save money, you’ve changed
Shannon Fisher, Director of Sales 904-803-2858 direct ShannonFisher@remingtonhotels.com email www.jacksonvillejtbdeerwoodpark.gardeninn.com | www.marriott.com/jaxri | www.marriott.com/jaxsh
I hope that I can really make an impact in this community. I empower my team to change lives. Every micro-skill that we practice each day is a step closer to my goal of how we can give and provide and make a change. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
Title: San Marco branch vice president Organization: VyStar Credit Union Age: 34 Education: Bachelor of Arts in business, Western International University; Master of Arts in executive leadership, Liberty University Family: Married with five children from 2 to 20 years old; youngest of eight siblings (five boys, three girls) Hometown: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Hobbies: Shopping, traveling
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LYLIA HARRIS
LYLIA HARRIS
Page 4 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE MATHIS REPORT
Culver’s looking for more area locations
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Restaurant planning to open this summer in Middleburg considering sites in Jacksonville, St. Johns and Nassau. Wisconsin-based Culver’s will open its first Northeast Florida restaurant, serving ButterBurgers, frozen custard and cheese curds, this summer in Middleburg, and three more sites are in due diligence. Jacksonville-based Murphy Land and Retail Services Inc. represents Culver’s in its area site search, said President Clint Murphy. He said Monday the three additional locations of interest are at southwest Collins Road and Interstate 295 in Southwest Jacksonville; and two in St. Johns County along U.S. 1 in St. Augustine and at I-95 and County Road 210. He said he also was working on more sites in St. Johns County and one in Yulee. Murphy said his company is the preferred area broker for
Photo by Dede Smith
Clint Murphy, president of Murphy Land and Retail Services Inc., brokers sites for Culver’s Franchising System LLC in North Florida. The first area Culver’s restaurant is scheduled to open this summer. It is under construction at 1767 Blanding Blvd. in Middleburg.
Culver’s Franchising System LLC and the corporate real estate department. Culver’s generally seeks 1.2acre sites for 4,400-squarefoot free-standing restaurants,
he said. The developers prefer to own the sites rather than ground-lease them. Murphy envisions 12 to 15 Culver’s in three years in the Jacksonville area.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer time employees. The almost 4,600-square-foot location is on 1.2 acres at 1767 Blanding Blvd. Lichte said previously the Middleburg restaurant will seat about 105 inside and about 30 on the patio. Hours will be 10 a.m.10 p.m. Their goal is to open three restaurants in five years. Culver’s works with multiple franchisees to develop within areas. Murphy said at least five Culver’s franchise operators are coming to serve an area from St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach to Tallahassee. Founded in 1984, Culver’s now counts at least 695 restaurants in 24 states, including 63 open or soon to open in Florida. “Culver’s has a loyal following,” Murphy said. In December, Readers Digest reported that a Restaurant Business survey found America’s favorite burger chain is Culver’s. Culver’s score of 56.7 percent topped the In-N-Out chain’s 56.3 percent. Culver’s had higher marks for ambiance/appearance, food/beverage and takeout/convenience. The Culver’s menu includes the burgers – named for their butter-toasted buns – along with chicken, beef pot roast, cod and pork tenderloin sandwiches; salads; dinners that include cod, shrimp, pot roast and chopped steak; kids’ meals; sides that include Wisconsin cheese curds; and made-daily custards, shakes, malts, sundaes and cones. At Culver’s, customers order at the counter and are given a number. The food is delivered to the table. It’s the same with the drive-thru – the customer orders at the speaker, pulls up to pay and is given a number,
moving up until the cookedto-order food is prepared and delivered to the car. Culver’s says it takes at least $350,000 to qualify for ownership of a franchise, with additional assets needed if the owner wants to own the real estate, building and equipment. Paul Pitas, director of public relations and communications for Culver Franchising System LLC, said there is a potential franchisee for the Collins Road site, but “it is still too early in the process and there is no timeline for construction.” The city calculated a mobility fee of $16,244 for that location to mitigate the traffic impact. Culver’s is based in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, near Madison.
Brest Hall coming down at JU Jacksonville University is demolishing the 16,400-squarefoot Brest Hall at the 2800 University Blvd. N. campus at a cost of $150,000. Stellar Group Inc. is the contractor. JU spokeswoman Laura Phelps said Brest Hall is a wing of the renovated Williams Hall. “We’ve determined there is adequate space on campus to accommodate student residents in our new and newly renovated residence halls,” she said by email. “Brest will be demolished since it is no longer needed, and we’ll continue to evaluate the best future use of that space.” She said demolition could take about four weeks. KMATHIS@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 5
RESTAURANT NOTES Escape to Five Points: Escape Restaurant & Bar LLC opened May 2 in Five Points with limited hours and intends to open next week for full hours, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. The restaurant at 1023 Park St. seats 65 customers inside and 70 outside on the patio. A menu shows soups and salads; dips such as baba ganoush and hummus; khachapuri (Turkish pizza); savory pies; tapas; sushi; desserts; and a children’s menu. The location is the former Cozy Tea Room.
Jupiter is the contractor for the $140,880 project to build-out 1,174 square feet of space. 3Natives was founded in 2013 in Tequesta by Anthony Bambino. Its 3natives.com site shows 12 locations in Florida and five coming soon – three in Florida, including Jacksonville, and two in Texas. 3Natives calls itself a healthy lifestyle café. The menu includes acai bowls, smoothies, cold pressed juices, wraps, salads and bagels. Panda Express in Atlantic North: The city approved a permit for construction of Panda Express at 11929 Atlantic Blvd. in the Atlantic North shopping center. The 2,252-square-foot building will be built on an acre at a cost of $451,019.
3Natives in Mandarin: The city issued a permit for 3Natives to open in the Gates of Olde Mandarin at 11362 San Jose Blvd., No. 4. Restoration Management Specialties of
RETAIL NOTES Pure Hydration in Riverside: The Pure Hydration intravenous hydration spa opened its second location in Riverside Market Square at 1650 Margaret St., Suite 306. It markets customized IV infusions and booster shots to support customers’ performance, health and wellness goals. Owners are Spencer and Hannah Wanderon. The location features four private rooms with couches, recliners and TVs. Pure Hydration’s medical director is Dr. Eric Weiss. Registered nurses administer the infusions and booster shots. Pure Hydration will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. CycleBar, Bellezza and Great Clips in Gateway Village: Gateway Village at Town Center is seeing more build-outs. The city issued a permit for the CycleBar indoor cycling studio to complete tenant finishes in 2,527 square feet at 5010 Gate Parkway. ADI Construction LLC is the contractor for the $265,000 project. Bellezza Nails Spa wants to build-out at 5010 Gate Parkway, No. 4. BAO Construction LLC is listed as the contractor for the $180,000 build-out of 2,914 square feet. The city also is reviewing a permit application for build-out for Great Clips at 10618 Deerwood Park Blvd.
Brooklyn Place in Riverside: The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing plans for Brooklyn Place, a four-unit, 11,373-square-foot retail project on 1.5 acres at Leila and Magnolia streets off Riverside Avenue. The Ferber Co. Inc. is the developer. EnglandThims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. Foot Locker, Champs in Regency Pointe: The city is reviewing permit applications for space to be prepared in advance of build-out for Foot Locker and Champs Sports in the Regency Pointe Shopping Center along the Arlington Expressway. The retailers will relocate from the Regency Square Mall across the expressway. RaceTrac along University: The city is reviewing permit applications for Atlanta-based RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. to build a gas station and convenience store on 1.79 acres at 5225 University Blvd W. Venture Construction Co. is the contractor for the $1.4 million project. The site is part of 10.67 acres owned by Home Depot USA Inc., which did not develop the property with a home-improvement store.
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE BASCH REPORT
CEO: Grocery stores thriving offline MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Hap Stein of Regency Centers says the grocery business is evolving, but that physical stores remain the centerpiece of its business model. While many brick-and-mortar retailers lose business to online customers, Regency Centers Corp. CEO Hap Stein believes grocery stores will continue to thrive. During Regency’s quarterly conference call last week, Stein said supermarkets anchor 80% of the company’s more than 400 shopping centers across the country. “The grocery business has always been highly competitive and is evolving at an even more accelerated pace. Still having a physical store located close to the customer in the best centers has been and remains the centerpiece of their business model,” he said. Stein said physical stores provide the best opportunities for grocers to win over customers with service and value. He touted Publix Super Markets Inc.’s growth as one example. Lakeland-based Publix last week said
Publix
Publix Super Markets Inc. said its first-quarter sales rose 4.3 percent to $9.7 billion.
first-quarter total sales rose 4.3% to $9.7 billion and sales at stores open for more than one year rose 1.9% “The bottom line is that our grocery anchors are proven operators that are evolving for their customers and generating significant daily traffic to our centers, including the added convenience of buy online, pick up in store,” Stein said. Regency’s retail properties were 95% leased at the end of the first quarter. The company reported core operating earnings of 91 cents a share in the first quarter, 2 cents higher than last year.
Publix stock, sold only to employees, rises
Rayonier still dealing with China issues
Publix last week said the price of its stock was set at $44.75 on May 1, up from $42.85 on March 1. Publix’s stock is not publicly traded and is made available for sale only to employees. Its stock price is determined five times a year by the board of directors, based on an independent valuation. The company reported adjusted earnings of $1.04 a share for the first quarter, up from 96 cents the previous year.
Rayonier Inc. last week reported lower first-quarter earnings, as the Jacksonville-based timber and real estate company continues to be impacted by uncertainty in Chinese markets. Earnings also were lower because of a large nonstrategic timberland sale that lifted earnings in the first quarter of 2018. Rayonier said its Southeast U.S. timber operations produced better results than last year, but results from its Pacific Northwest timber business
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer were down. “As you all know, we’re in the midst of some challenging and uncertain market conditions, particularly in the Northwest where the China trade dispute is weighing heavily on our export market optionality,” CEO David Nunes said in Rayonier’s conference call. “That said, I’m very pleased with how our team navigated these challenges and pulled various levers at their disposal to deliver a strong first quarter to start the year.” Rayonier’s earnings of 19 cents a share were 12 cents lower than the first quarter of 2018. However, the results beat the consensus forecast of 10 cents a share by analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research.
FIS revenue slips, but earnings beat forecast The stock of Fidelity National Information Services Inc., or FIS, reached another high last week after reporting earnings that beat analysts’ forecasts. The Jacksonville-based provider of bank technology services had adjusted first-quarter earnings of $1.64 a share, 14 cents higher than the first quarter of 2018 and 7 cents higher than the consensus forecast, Zacks said. Revenue fell 0.5% to $2.06 billion, due to divestitures of some businesses since last year’s first quarter. FIS will see a big jump in revenue later this year when it completes its acquisition of payment services company Worldpay Inc. FIS announced the $34 billion deal in March and expects to close the transaction in the third quarter this year. “On Day One as a combined company, we will have over $12 billion of revenue, growing organically approximately 6%,” CEO Gary Norcross said in FIS’ conference call with analysts, according to a transcript of the call posted by FIS. “This transaction is a continuation of our historically successful M&A strategy to accelerate growth, while continuing to optimize margins and leverage synergies through effective integration,” he said. “The new revenue opportunities for the combined organization include expanded global offerings for merchants with innovative e-commerce solutions; deeper and broader solutions for financial institutions, such as fraud tools, payment processing and a global merchant referral network; and enhanced and innovative payment solutions creating a faster payments community for high-volume retail and high-value commercial payments,” he said. FIS’ stock has been rising since the deal was announced and it reached a high of $117.99 last week, up from about $108 in mid-March.
Black Knight sees room for growth Jacksonville-based mortgage technology company Black Knight Inc. last week reported adjusted firstquarter earnings of 44 cents a share, a penny higher than last year. Adjusted revenue rose 4% to $283.2 million. Black Knight is the dominant company in its industry, providing processing services for 62% of all first mortgage loans in the U.S. and 53% of first and second mortgage loans combined.
The company provides service for most of the major U.S. mortgage lenders but during its quarterly conference call last week, CEO Anthony Jabbour said he sees opportunities to continue increasing market share. “We believe some of this growth in market share will be from smaller companies that may not have considered Black Knight in the past, but now see how our products can help lower their total cost of ownership,” he said.
Advanced Disposal earnings fall Advanced Disposal Services Inc. last week reported first-quarter adjusted earnings of 2 cents a share, down from 9 cents the previous year. Revenue rose 5.3% to $384 million. The Ponte Vedra-based waste services company canceled its conference call to discuss its results after agreeing on April 15 to a $4.9 billion buyout by Waste Management Inc. “In light of the pending transaction, we have elected to cease conducting quarterly earnings conference calls until transaction closing, although we will continue to provide a quarterly earnings release,” Advanced Disposal said in a news release. “We will also enter into an extended quiet period related to investor communications and cease providing forward-looking guidance after this press release until the transaction is closed.” The merger is expected to close in early 2020.
Patriot Transportation revenue falls 3.4% Patriot Transportation Holding Inc. last week reported earnings of 9 cents a share for its second quarter ended March 31, reversing a loss of 6 cents a share the prior year. However, revenue in the quarter fell 3.4% to $27 million. The Jacksonville-based trucking company said most of the reduction in revenue was caused by one of its customers moving into one of its markets with a private fleet, and by the closure of a Patriot facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Patriot also said it is exiting its Charlotte, North Carolina, petroleum transport operation. “Charlotte has continually proven to be a very difficult driver hiring and retention market coupled with a customer rate structure that does not afford Patriot Transportation the opportunity to make an acceptable return on our capital,” the company said in a news release. While that will lower revenue, Patriot said the exit from Charlotte will result in a slight improvement to operating profit.
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Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 7
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Page 8 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Fox CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
behind McDonald’s. Fox said the catalyst for Firehouse Subs’ growth was verbalizing the company’s mission statement: “To carry on our commitment to and passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety.” Without an understanding of this message, Fox said it wouldn’t be possible for each franchisee to replicate the company’s focus on food, service and community outreach. To date, the company has contributed $42 million of equipment to first responders around the nation. More than half has been raised by customers participating in the company’s “Round Up” program where the bill is rounded up to the nearest whole dollar amount with the extra going to the Firehouse Subs charitable fund. To that point, Fox said, “Our advertising agency asked us a really great question. ‘If Firehouse Subs just ceased to exist, who would really care?’ Franchisees would have lost investments, employees would have lost jobs. But they will pick up and move on. As we reflected, we realized that the biggest difference maker is that chances are there would be no one there to pick up that philanthropic mission.” After the speech, Fox sat for an interview. These are edited excerpts. What are your growth for projections the next five years? We will probably add about 350-400 restaurants. The variables will be the availability of real estate. We are not so much in the mode of finding new franchisees. Rather it’s about the existing franchisee developing more restaurants. That is why acquiring real estate is the primary driver. How do you plan to achieve that growth? It’s about executing a healthy business model that can deliver a good return on investment and that we are constantly growing sales. If we do that on our end, franchisees will find us to be a
Photos by Dede Smith
Firehouse Subs CEO Don Fox watches Joe Puskas, the company’s chief mural artist, work in the Firehouse Subs headquarters studio in South Jacksonville. Firehouse says Puskas and his team have painted more than 1,165 murals since the chain opened in 1994.
worthwhile investment and they will continue to reinvest and build more restaurants. If we fail on our end, they are not going to take the risk of expanding. Can you expand upon the importance of the need for a mission statement? We are carrying on the commitment and passion of the founders. If we lose that, no matter how big we get, the company is never going to perform at its full potential. A company we admire greatly is Chick-filA. It is a terrific example of how a brand of (several) thousand restaurants can maintain that strength of its culture. Go to any Chick-fil-A restaurant and you’ll see that consistency of
service and execution. It’s all about the people. Our goal is the same. Having that mission statement is the first step. It is important to us so anyone joining our organization knows what we are about. The company is privately owned. What is the exit strategy? Do the Sorensens intend to sell or go public? There are no plans (to go public). We have no debt. There is no need. We are proud that all of our decision-making is long range. Our philosophy toward operating would perhaps be at odds with being a public company. Couple that with no financial need to do it and that keeps us operating quite nicely
as a private concern. Would becoming a public company compromise the mission statement? I have quite a lot of pity for CEOs that are running public companies. The nature of most publicly owned companies is to be short-term focused on the next quarterly earnings call. They are usually not thinking much outside of a year. I’ve seen so many restaurant companies drastically change their brand for short-term results. It doesn’t usually work out so well. What is the future of the fast-casual restaurant sector in which Firehouse Subs operates?
Murals of first responders in action can be found in all Firehouse Subs restaurants. The company has donated and has helped to raise millions to buy equipment for firefighters and other first responders.
The major change in the industry is the tendency for the consumer to consume food off premises. In 2013, our peak was 53% of our business was dinein. We are down to 38%. One of the biggest headwinds is the emergence of e-commerce. You have 13% to 14% of commerce in e-commerce and delivered goods. One of the key drivers of people going to restaurants is people going out to shop. They visit a restaurant. That is part of the reason that third-party delivery services, like Uber Eats and Grubhub, did more than $10 billion in sales last year. Restaurants that are not getting into that game are losing traffic. What are your thoughts on kiosk ordering? I think that it will be a passing fad of sorts because the future is that people will be ordering (from apps on their mobile devices). You can now walk into our restaurant, take out your phone, order your food and pay for it there and just pick it up while you are there. We launched a platform last year called “Rapid Rescue.” It’s for people who order online and pay online. We have a rack with their orders assembled and packaged and they walk in, grab it and they are gone. Customers love it. In Jacksonville, 10% of our sales will be done through that process. What are the headwinds that Firehouse Subs expects? By doing business with delivery services we are paying fees that are typically 25% to 30% of the check that the customer is not usually aware of. The customer is also paying a fee of $5, which is common. On a $20 order we are paying $6 or $7 ourselves for having the privilege of Grubhub or Uber Eats deliver the order. As long as the economy continues at a good pace, we will enjoy the benefit of that. Operating costs are fairly constant. It is more about the availability of labor rather than the cost of labor. We just need more people.
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 9
ECONOMIC TRENDS
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GENERATE LEADS Population trends
The Jacksonville-area population as of July 1, 2018 2018 2010-2018 County Population growth growth Baker County
28,355
0.4%
4.6%
Clay County
216,072
1.8%
13.2%
Duval County
950,181
1.3%
9.9%
85,832
3.6%
17.1%
254,261
4.2%
33.8%
1,534,701
2.0%
14.1%
Nassau County St. Johns County Jacksonville MSA Source: U.S. Census Bureau
St. Johns one of the fastest growing U.S. counties in 2018 The Jacksonville metropolitan area, comprising Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns, last year ranked 29th in U.S. growth. BY MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As new housing communities sprout in St. Johns County, it looks like the county is having no problem attracting new residents to move in. The latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau released last month found St. Johns was one of America’s fastest-growing counties in 2018, with most of the growth coming from people relocating from other U.S. cities. St. Johns County’s population grew by 4.2% from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018, to 254,261, the ninth-fastest county growth rate in the country. The county has consistently been a high growth area in the past decade, with the population growing by 33.8% since the last official census in 2010. That ranks 12th in the country for the eightyear period. The growth is coming almost entirely from new residents. St. Johns’ population growth of 10,333 last year included 9,834 people moving from other parts of the U.S. St. Johns’ natural population increase (births minus deaths) was only 105. Duval County is growing at a slower rate than its neighbor to the south at 1.3%, and the growth is coming from more diverse sources. Duval’s natural population grew by 4,367 last year, while relocations from other U.S. cities was only 3,999. Duval County is also drawing a big immigrant population, with the number
of international relocations at 4,159. St. Johns County only drew 355 new residents from outside of U.S. states. Although Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, the Census Bureau’s count of international migration includes residents relocating from Puerto Rico to U.S. states. After Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, all 78 municipalities in Puerto Rico lost population last year. While the Census data does not specify how many of those people relocated to Florida, it is likely that a large number of Puerto Ricans are now living in the state. Florida gained 175,670 new residents from international locations (including Puerto Rico) last year, compared with 132,602 from other U.S. states. The Jacksonville metropolitan area’s total population grew by 2% last year to 1.53 million, and the area grew by 14.1% from 2010 to 2018. The Jacksonville metro area (Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties) ranked 40th in population among all U.S. metropolitan areas, and its growth rate ranked 29th last year. Besides St. Johns, the only other county in the metro area which ranked among the top growing U.S. counties was Nassau. Nassau County grew by 3.6% to 85,832 last year, ranking 25th in the country. Its growth rate of 17.1% since 2010 ranked it 94th. The natural population of Nassau declined by 114 last year, the only county in the metro area to have more deaths than births. Nassau County’s growth, like St. Johns, was fueled by relocations from other U.S. cities with only a minimal number of new international residents. Domestic relocations of 3,033 were actually higher than Nassau County’s total net population increase of 2,968. MBASCH@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
Page 10 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
JERRY LINDER
BUILDING A HIGHER STANDARD The custom homebuilder helped create the Certified Florida Master Builder program. BY MAGGIE FITZROY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
D
uring his 30 years in the homebuilding industry, Jerry Linder has seen many changes, survived challenging times, and has succeeded as a custom homebuilder, applying lessons learned along the way. President of the J.L. Linder Group Inc. in St. Augustine and Vintage Homes in Tallahassee, he is a past president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, the Florida Home Builders Association, and in 2018 was named Builder of the Year by the state group. Last year, he also helped roll out the Certified Florida Master Builder program. The certification program, which he helped create, is aimed at homebuilders, remodelers and commercial contractors, dedicated to excellence and customer satisfaction, who hold themselves to higher standards than those required by the state of Florida for licensure. “The state of Florida does a good job with their requirements,” said Linder, one of the first in the industry to meet the strict Certified Florida Master Builder list of conditions. “But we wanted to create a certification that bumps that up,” he said. In development for two years, he said it “helps customers find or identify builders they can trust and who are on the elite side of builders.” Requirements include having at least seven years of experience in the construction industry or holding a bachelor’s degree in the construction field; having a contractor license for five or more years; passing client satisfaction reference checks; and passing subcontractor and supplier reference checks. Applicants also must be vetted and approved by the Florida Master Builder Certification Board. “The program is not only good for homeowners, it is also beneficial to builders who qualify because it puts them at a different level,” Linder said.
MEDICINE TO CONSTRUCTION
Linder, 52, who grew up in Orange Park and now resides in St. Augustine, became involved in construction while a student at Florida State University. Initially targeting medicine as a career, he switched his major to economics but discovered while working construction part time that he “really enjoyed being able to work on something and see results after a day.” That led him to start his own construction business while
Photo by Ed Hall
Jerry Linder, President of the J.L. Linder Group Inc. in St. Augustine and Vintage Homes in Tallahassee, helped roll out the Certified Florida Master Builder program.
still in college, “which took over my world,” he said. “I went full bore at age 22 into the business world.” In the past three decades, he witnessed many changes in the construction industry, including increased regulation and rising land values. But he said one of the most significant changes is in the drastic deterioration in the labor market. “There are not enough people in the trades. The amount of labor to pull from has really decreased over the years.” Linder believes one reason is because high schools eliminated vocational education programs that once trained students to become plumbers, electricians and carpenters. He also blames the economic downturn and real estate collapse a decade ago, because many trade workers left the field at that time and did not return. Surviving the recession left Linder with less appetite for risk, one of many lessons learned during his career. While he might buy a lot or two in a community, he said he
no longer buys a position in a neighborhood. Most of his customers already have their lot, or he helps them find one that suits their needs. He builds around Northeast Florida and he also does a lot of custom renovation work for people who like where they are living but want to renovate and update. Communication is key to success in the industry, Linder said. Over the years, he learned the best ways to communicate with customers, staff and subcontractors — and that begins with being thorough. “You really have got to be thorough in what you are requiring,” he said. “With the amount of detail that goes into custom building, you cannot be detailed enough.” NEW TRENDS
He sees a growing trend for smaller homes, but with a concentrated effort on “fit and finish of hive” areas of the home, including the kitchen, great room and master bedroom. Linder said 12 years ago, people were building big houses.
But the up-and-coming generation is scaling back. “A lot of our younger buyers are not necessarily building a home they will stay in until they retire. And younger baby boomers are downsizing.” While most of his clients are not seeking enormous square footages, he said they still want the nicer finishes and appointments. “And the custom market is still driven by location. That has not changed.” Linder said he works hard to stay above the competition, and the Certified Florida Master Builder designation lets customers know that. The certification was unveiled in August at the Southeast Building Conference in Kissimmee, said Allison Finley, director of marketing and communications for the program. “It is still in its infancy,” and Linder is one of its pioneers. Linder said he has enjoyed his construction career. “I have been through some very good times and very challenging times,” he said. “It has been a great industry to be part of, and to be a leader in.”
“The program is not only good for homeowners, it is also beneficial to builders who qualify because it puts them at a different level.” JERRY LINDER, PRESIDENT OF THE J.L. LINDER GROUP INC. IN ST. AUGUSTINE AND VINTAGE HOMES IN TALLAHASSEE
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 11
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RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
Page 12 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
$1,414,000
$1,340,000
3704 Duval Drive, Jacksonville Beach, Duval County
5430 Atlantic View, St. Augustine, St. Johns County
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.2 acres House size: 2,219 square feet Buyer: Leah R. and Ryan M. MacClellan Seller: Janet and Kevin Neal Previous sale: $1,250,000 in 2015
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.18 acres House size: 2,602 square feet Buyer: David K. and Drucilla M. Hailey Seller: Barbara A. Kregg
$1,395,000
$1,315,000
9680 Preston Trail W., Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County
1601 Ocean Drive S., Jacksonville Beach, Duval County
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.66 acres House size: 4,318 square feet Buyer: Maxim and Oxana Norkina Seller: Douglas M. and Suchen S. Fieldhouse Previous sale: $1,250,000 in 2011
Type: Seascape Condominiums Home size: 2,392 square feet Buyer: Molly Kilpatrick Seller: Paul J. Cosgrave Previous sale: $838,000 in 2015
$1,562,000
$1,350,000
$1,275,000
1312 Strand St., Neptune Beach, Duval County
96 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach, Duval County
24624 Harbour View Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.16 acres House size: 2,188 square feet Buyer: John J. and Julie K. Schickel Seller: South Jax Beach LLC
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.13 acres House size: 2,598 square feet Buyer: Walton S. Kinsey Jr. Seller: Stephen George and Yolande Piazza Previous sale: $1,200,000 in 2017
Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.5 acres House size: 6,641 square feet Buyer: Peter D. and Dawn A. Kraft Seller: Matthew J. and Karen A. Fairbairn
Top 10 home sales of week BY SCOTT SAILER • EDITORIAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Here are the top 10 single-family residential real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded April 29-May 3.
$1,975,000 330 Pablo Terrace, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.58 acres House size: 4,188 square feet Buyer: 330 Pablo Terrace LLC Seller: Robert Kleinman and Susan Lichtenfield, Trustees of The Alison F. Siragusa Trust Previous sale: $950,000 in 2011
$1,850,000
About the property: Completely remodeled, the four-bedroom, five-bath home overlooks the eighth hole of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Lagoon golf course. The home features travertine floors, covered lanai, summer kitchen and a cedar-lined, walk-in wine cellar with a separate cooling system. It also has an enclosed greenhouse.
$1,610,000
722 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach St. Johns County Type: Single-family Lot size: 1.08 acres House size: 3,816 square feet Buyer: Andrew D. and Jennifer M. MacDonald Seller: Ann Marie Ladner Previous sale: $1,750,000 in 2007
5295 Hidden Hollow Court, Jacksonville, Duval County Type: Single-family Lot size: 0.8 acres House size: 4,965 square feet Buyer: Lawrence and Linda P. Perlman Seller: Christopher S. and Janet A. Leeper Previous sale: $1,295,000 in 2013
Townhome community proposed at Buck Business Park D.R. Horton wants to build 83 units north of Merrill Road. BY SCOTT SAILER EDITORIAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR
D.R. Horton plans to develop Deer Run, comprising 83 townhomes, in Buck Business Park in Arlington. The site is north of Merrill Road, between Fort Caroline Road and Wompi Drive, near the Southside Connector and
Interstate 295. A site plan of the proposed development shows blocks of townhomes with 199 parking spaces. Marissa Awtry, a representative with D.R. Horton, said Deer Run will start development in spring 2020. She said home prices are projected to start in the mid- to high $100,000 range and offer two- and three-bedroom units. Dunn & Associates Inc. is the civil engineer. Sunny Acres Park is northwest and adjacent to the pro-
posed townhome parcel. Developer Curtis Hart, of Hart Resources LLC, submitted an application to the city on behalf of Buck Business Park LLC for a large scale land use map amendment to change a 5.58-acre parcel in the park from community/general commercial to medium density residential to allow a multifamily development. A companion rezoning seeks to rezone the property to a planned unit development. Buck Business Park LLC owns the property. The company
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is led by President Catherine Whatley, a Realtor with the family-owned real estate firm Buck & Buck Inc. Buck & Buck anchors the business park. Whatley said there have been potential buyers for park property over the past five years. Buck Business Park LLC sold 3.18 acres in December to RaceTrac, which plans to develop a 5,411-square-foot convenience store and gas station at the split of Merrill and Fort Caroline roads. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
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Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 13
HOME BUILDING PERMITS
New home permits tumble in St. Johns Building permits for new home construction in St. Johns county dropped 50 percent in April over the same month a year ago, while Duval, Clay and Nassau counties rose. For the four-county region, building permits were down 10.73% from last year. 160
Clay County permits 2018-2019
120
127
80 40
52
0
420
53
Jan
Feb
320
263 285
243
270 220
Jan
110
60
314
Feb
61
Mar
312 294
Mar
87
78
92
88 51
Apr
306
378
Apr
0
Jan
Feb
106
93 61
20
30
May
Jun
2019 62
78
63
Jul
Aug
62
Sep
18
51
Oct
Nov
Dec
376
May
342
Jun
2018
401
321
Jul
369
307
Aug
Sep
2019
291
Oct
267
Nov
Dec
Mar
84
2018
100
80 47
Apr
May
Jun
42
Jul
2019
73
Aug
49
40
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
St. Johns County permits 2018-2019
450 330 381
300 150 0
1,200
57
89
Nassau County permits 2018-2019
90
600
92
Duval County permits 2018-2019
370
120
83
2018
315
Jan
420
Feb
2018
531 333 377 Mar
267 Apr
365
May
Total permits 2018-2019
900
830 805
600
689
300 0
Jan
909
Feb
483
Jun
484
420
335
Jul
331
Aug
2019 305
262
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1,013
757 821
Mar
941
840
Apr
930
876
May
Jun
799
Jul
769
Aug
2018
988
2019 644
Sep
Oct
639
Nov
Dec
Source: Permit data provided by Northeast Florida Builders Association
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Page 14 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE MENDENDHALL REPORT
What’s next with the Landing demolition
MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
The mayor’s chief of staff says request for proposals for demolition could come in eight to 10 weeks. The city of Jacksonville now has complete ownership of The Jacksonville Landing and all but three of the tenants have until June 1 to move out of the riverfront shopping mall. Negotiations are underway with BBVA Compass bank, Hooters Restaurant and Fionn MacCool’s Irish Pub and Restaurant for their departure. Despite demolition detractors, Mayor Lenny Curry and City Council legislation enacted March 26 have given the go-ahead to the city’s Department Hughes of Public Works to demolish the structure in favor of a more open, active riverfront development. So when will it come down? With Ordinance 2019-134 allotting $1.5 million to demolish the Landing, a request for proposals to tear it down could be released from the City’s Public Works Department any time. Curry’s Chief of Staff Brian Hughes said Tuesday he hopes to see a request for proposals for demolition come out of Public Works within eight to 10 weeks. Most of the 26 remaining tenants held short-term, month-to-month leases and will be out of the Landing by June 1. When demo can begin largely will depend on legal negotiations with long-term tenants BBVA, Hooters and Fionn MacCool’s. Attorneys for each of the three businesses and the city are talking now, trying to expedite their exits. As the landlord, the city has certain legal obligations to the bank and restaurants, includ-
File image
The Jacksonville Landing space is transformed into a park in this rendering obtained last year from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
ing keeping the building in a condition where the businesses can stay operational. That doesn’t mean demolition won’t begin. BBVA Compass is in the eastern part of the main building. Fionn MacCool’s is in another eastern building while Hooters is on the riverfront in a western building. Hughes said the negotiations could allow for a phased demolition of the Landing. If one of the businesses vacates, whether on the west or east side, the city likely will begin partial demolition of the structure in less than six months. That could allow developers to start work on at least part of the property. “If there is an isolated area in the Landing that can be demoed without it impacting the legal requirement for any other tenant that’s remaining, that could begin,” Hughes said. A phased demolition, Hughes said, also could speed up a Florida Department of Transportation decision to remove the adjacent Main Street Bridge on-ramp. Curry wants to use that parcel for development and easier pedestrian and bicycle access to future public space at the
Garrard CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
feet in Harbour Village, according to a site plan. By early afternoon Wednesday, LA Fitness slid “take one” passes behind the paper sign in Baymeadows. The signs direct members to visit a website regarding their rights under Florida’s Health Studio Act at freshfromflorida.com/ConsumerResources/ConsumerRights-andResponsibilities/Health-Studios. DMG One operates the Harbour Village location and DMG Two LLC has the Baymeadows gym. Both LLCs were registered with the state by Garrard in
Landing site. “The reason we would phase the demo is to have a clear indication that we can demo the on-ramp — to demonstrate to (F)DOT we’re doing what we said here, so let’s get to the ramp and have that parcel ready to develop and have a sense of what the interests and economics of developable pads are,” Hughes said. “We can then do that math on the public activation.” DESIGN AND REDEVELOPMENT
The land is owned by the city. Because it is within a Community Redevelopment Area, any design and redevelopment for the Landing will be under the jurisdiction of the Downtown Investment Authority. Hughes is the interim DIA CEO and becomes Curry’s Chief Administrative Officer when Sam Mousa retires June 28. Hughes doesn’t expect a design process to begin before July. By then, there will be a new DIA CEO, possibly with a different perspective on the site’s future. A DIA board, appointed by former Mayor Alvin Brown,
March 2014. Retro Fitness announced in October 2013 that Garrard and his wife, Mary, would open three gyms. Build-out costs for the two locations they opened totaled $1.7 million, city records show. Certificates of completion were issued in 2015 — January for the Harbour Village location and June in Baymeadows. Action News reported the franchises closed Saturday “with no warning for members or employees.” A third area Retro Fitness in Fleming Island is open and owned by a separate franchisee. KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
who served from 2011-15, undertook a $100,000 design process with Atlanta-based Wakefield Beasley & Associates and Urban Design Associates that incorporated six public input sessions. Lawsuits with former Landing owner Jacksonville Landing Investments Landing LLC stopped the public unveiling of the final plan. Hughes has since released the 2015 development renderings to prove to incoming council member Matt Carlucci and other critics that a public charrette process on Landing redevelopment already has been done. Now that the 2015 drawings were released last week, it will be up to the current DIA board whether to incorporate all or part of the Wakefield Beasley design or start over. Both the more detailed 2015 design and the simplified Public Works sketch released last year show the same concept — two bifurcated developable pads with activated green space. “The discussion points are about how much green, how much hardscape, how many trees, where is the art, how big are the pads that are develop-
able (and) what are the economics behind that,” Hughes said. As demolition clears the Landing, Hughes made it clear Tuesday he doesn’t see the areas intended for private development staying in public ownership for long. “If we’re going to bifurcate and lay out two developable pads, it probably makes a lot of sense to convert that to private ownership so that it generates property taxes which would allow for (Recapture Enhanced Value) grants. There would also be a balance left over in that tax bill, which we can’t give as REV grants, that I think it would be a very clear indicator of what sustains the new public space,” Hughes said. The chief of staff said the best possible time frame from completion is “ASAP.” Curry wants the Landing redevelopment to move quickly. Although the design will be in the DIA’s court, it’s clear Curry’s voice will be a looming presence in the Landing’s fate. MMENDENHALL@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MIMENDENHALL (904)-356-2466
Retro Fitness at 13475 Atlantic Blvd. in Harbour Village is closed with signs on the door citing financial issues. The gym is one of two owned by former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard that closed. Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 15
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COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Page 16 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Top commercial sales of the week BY SCOTT SAILER • EDITORIAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR
Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded April 29-May 3.
File image
The city bought The Jacksonville Landing for $15 million as part of a deal with Jacksonville Landing Investments LLC. The Landing last sold for $5 million in 2003.
$15,000,000
$6,853,890
$3,862,000
$3,250,000
$2,450,000
2 Independent Drive West, Jacksonville, Duval County
U.S. 90, Glen St. Mary, Baker County
Aspinwall Parkway and Latrobe Avenue, St. Augustine, St. Johns County
Albany Bay Boulevard St. Johns County
13201 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, Duval County
Type: The Jacksonville Landing Size: 178,838 square feet Buyer: City of Jacksonville Seller: Jacksonville Landing Investments LLC Previous sale: $5,000,000 in 2003
Type: Timberland Size: 1,140.34 acres Buyer: Florida Power & Light Co. Seller: Davis & Davis LLP
Type: 47 single-family lots in Southaven, Phase IIB Size: Not available Buyer: CalAtlantic Group Inc. Seller: Southaven Land Associates LLC
$2,100,000
$1,300,000
$1,235,000
$1,115,239
$875,000
12750 Abess Blvd., Jacksonville, Duval County
141 Gateway Circle, St. Johns County
Oxbridge Way, St. Johns County
Florida 207, St. Augustine, St. Johns County
431 W. Eighth St., Jacksonville, Duval County
Type: Burger King Size: 1.15 acres Buyer: Five Points LLC Seller: BK SR 210 LLC Previous sale: $950,000 in 2010
Type: 13 single-family lots in Oxford Estates, Phase four Size: Not available Buyer: Weekley Homes LLC Seller: Oxford Estates LLC
Type: Undeveloped commercial Size: 14.57 acres Buyer: Southpoint Holdings Inc. Seller: Susan O’Donnell Lutz and James D. O’Donnell Revocable Trust Previous sale: $435,100 in 1988
Type: Harris Foot & Ankle Size: 0.23 acres Buyer: El Jefe Holdings LLC Seller: Sandra S. and Stephen M. Meritt Previous sale: $240,000 in 1999
Type: Kid City USA Size: 1.76 acres Buyer: 3034 Group Inc. Seller: Cambridge Partners Girvin LLC
DEVELOPMENT TODAY
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville. AMUSEMENT RECREATION City of Jacksonville, 1078 Rogero Road, contractor is Warden Contracting Corp., 6,294 square feet, renovate the Frances Padgett Senior Center, $483,270. APARTMENTS Magnolia Point Apartments, 7507 Beach Blvd., contractor is 3rd Little Pig Construction LLC, 20 permits for stairs repair, $16,000. HOSPITAL, INSTITUTIONAL Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1301 Palm Ave., contractor is Commercial Construction Services Inc., renovate offices on fourth floor, $2.26 million. Brookdale Senior Living, 9601 Southbrook Drive, contractor is ASP-America’s Swimming Pool Co., resurface pool, $32,000. ROOFING Plymouth Center Point Business Park LLC, 4825 Executive Park Court, contractor is S.N. Kimbrel Roofing Co. LLC, roof over existing, $289,000. The Columns Apartments, 333 Laurina St., contractor is RKS Construction & Design Inc., 12 permits for roof replacement, $252,000.
Creekside Park Apartments, 5900 Townsend Road, contractor is Excel Roofing Contractors Inc., three permits for roof replacement, $163,653. Jameson Office Park Owners Association Inc., 9957 Moorings Drive, contractor is Prime Roof Contracting LLC, two permits for roof replacement, $55,636. Pine Castle Inc., 4911 Spring Park Road, contractor is Jack C. Wilson Roofing Co., roof replacement, $31,610. Riverview Apartments, 301 Caravan Circle, contractor is RKS Construction & Design Inc., two permits for roof replacement, $25,000. Admiral Arms Apartments, 6595 San Juan Ave., contractor is Excel Roofing Contractors Inc., roof replacement, $13,900. STORES, MERCANTILE ABC Liquors Inc., 4838 Gate Parkway, contractor is R.D. Michaels Inc., 13,462 square feet, two permits for new buildings, $1.22 million. UTILITIES Sprint, 2842 Huffman Blvd., contractor is Atlantic Tower Services Inc., cell tower equipment upgrade, $65,000. Compiled by Scott Sailer
Type: Undeveloped residential Size: Portion of 45.81 acres Buyer: Lennar LLC Seller: BVO LLC
Type: Panera Bread Size: 1.5 acres Buyer: The Brock W. Ketcher Revocable Trust Seller: BW Atlantic 90 LLC Previous sale: $1,700,000 in 2018
BUSINESS IN BRIEF Memorial Hospital plans expansion: Memorial Hospital Jacksonville plans to expand services to northern St. Johns and southern Duval counties. In February, the hospital purchased an almost 4.2-acre site along Philips Highway from Gate Petroleum Co. for $3.71 million. Memorial plans to develop primary and specialty care clinics at the site along with an adjacent free-standing emergency center. Memorial anticipates opening by the end of 2020. Winn-Dixie reopens two stores: WinnDixie reopened remodeled stores in Middleburg and West Jacksonville on Wednesday. The Middleburg store is at 2720 Blanding Blvd. and the Jacksonville store is at 5207 Normandy Blvd. Both stores will hold community celebrations 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Winn-Dixie will give away $100 gift cards every 30 minutes. Customers must be present to win. Features of the remodeled stores include new signage, an expanded fruit and produce selection, an updated deli and bakery and a new Dollar Shop section.
The stores are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bankers Life Building sold: RL Platinum 1 LP purchased the Bankers Life Building for $4,332,500. The seller was Acorn Southpoint LLC, led by David E. Gonzales of Acorn Property Holdings LLC. Keith Goldfaden, Daniel Burkhardt and Luke Feldman of NAI Hallmark represented the seller. Acorn purchased the 3.92-acre property at 6620 Southpoint Drive S. in 2010 for $1.8 million according to property records. New community at Shearwater: Toll Brothers is building homes in The Falls neighborhood of the Shearwater masterplanned community south of County Road 210 in St. Johns County. The community comprises 117 one- and two-story single-family homes from 2,306 to 3,389 square feet. Prices start in the upper $300,000s.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com Samantha Ashcraft was promoted to director of corporate marketing at Sleiman Enterprises. Ashcraft is responsible for marketing, communications, community outreach, media relations,
advertising, website development and brand management. Ashcraft served as director of marketing and events at The Jacksonville Landing and has been with Sleiman Enterprises since 2011.
Ashcraft
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 17
Rutherford: ‘Ideologues’ rule D.C. THE COURTS & LAW
Republican lawmaker and former Duval County sheriff speaks to the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. BY MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford was at the Main Library on Monday to address the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society and the state of the Congress was on his mind. Rutherford, a Republican, was Jacksonville’s sheriff for 12 years. After a brief retirement, he was elected in 2016 to represent the 4th District of Florida. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittees. When he arrived in Washington, he had lawmaking experience on his resume after serving nine years as the legislative chair for the Florida Sheriffs Association. That’s where Rutherford said he learned how to get bills passed by enlisting support from both sides of the aisle. “When I went to D.C., I knew there would be some frustration, but I’ve never seen an organization where the rules get in the way of doing the right thing so many times,” he said. Rutherford said Washington primarily is populated by “ideologues” in both parties who vote strictly along party lines with no effort to compromise on issues. “And if they don’t get 100% of what they want, they won’t vote for a bill,” he said. “People ask me what can be done to help me in D.C. I say don’t send another ideologue to Washington, send pragmatists. For institutions to work, the people who work in them need to work together,” Rutherford said. He also addressed immigration and border security issues and reform. “The reason we have the challenges we have at the southern border is because we can’t get anything passed in Congress, so the courts have stepped in. We created a void and the courts filled it,” Rutherford said. He said under current court
Photos by Max Marbut
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford speaks to the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society on Monday at the Main Library.
rulings, immigrants that cross the border with children, even if they aren’t their own, may be legally held in custody for 20 days before they are released into the U.S. “They don’t run from Customs and Border Patrol, they run to them. They want to be taken into custody. The traffickers figured out that if they match children with individuals trying to cross the border and claim asylum, they are released into the country in 21 days,” said Rutherford. Immigration reform, he said, is an example of why the partisan politics needs to be replaced with compromise. “We have to fix this problem. It is a humanitarian crisis at the border. I am supportive of immigration. We have to have immigration, but legal immigration in an orderly way. We have to know who’s coming here and they have to be vetted properly. I hope Congress can respond.” MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, left, and Rogers Towers business attorney Adam Brandon, president of the Jacksonville Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society.
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Page 18 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
THE MARBUT REPORT
Attorneys raise $273,000 in a day MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
“Dancing with the Stars,” “Yard Course” events raise thousands to support legal aid, scholarships for kids. At two events April 27, Jacksonville attorneys played yard golf and danced to raise $273,000 to support civil legal aid and a music program for children. Hundreds of people participated in the annual “Yard Course and Back 9 on Montgomery & Richmond” sponsored by the Pajcic & Pajcic law firm. Golfers teed off in the backyards at either Steve and Anne Pajcic’s home on Montgomery Place in Avondale or a few doors down at Michael Pajcic and Katie DeBriere’s home on Richmond Street. Entry fees, sponsorships and donations annually benefit Jacksonville Area Legal Aid and its programs to provide civil legal aid for low-income residents – and Pajcic & Pajcic matches all money raised, including the $6,000 awarded to anyone who sinks a hole-inone on the prize hole, to double the contribution. Checks still were coming in as of Wednesday, but the total raised was about $75,000, resulting in a $150,000 donation to JALA. That evening, the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and A Social Affair Dance Studio presented a “Dancing with the Stars” event and two attorneys helped raise $123,000 for scholarships and program funding for the chorus. The top three celebrity dancers were attorney Crystal Freed, managing partner of The Freed Firm, first place; Giselle Carson, attorney and shareholder at Marks Gray, second place; and Patty Otterson, owner of Otter Allison Wealth Management Group of Raymond James, third place. Judging for the performances at the University of North Florida Lazzara Performance Hall followed a similar format as the national television program, Dancing with the Stars. Three judges contributed 50% of the scoring with the other 50% from the audience at $1 per vote. The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus was founded in 1995 by then-Jacksonville University President Frances Bartlett Kinne to fill a need for a children’s music program in Northeast Florida. The group has grown from 16 voices to a membership of more than 300 singers. The chorus offers partial or full scholarships to children who wish to sing, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. The scholarship program is funded solely through donations and ensures diversity in membership.
Special to the Daily Record
From left, Jacksonville Children’s Chorus Artistic Director and President Darren Dailey, attorney Crystal Freed and her professional dance partner, Muhidin Divovic. Freed and Divovic won first place in Jacksonville’s “Dancing with the Stars” to help raise $123,000 for the chorus.
Attorney named Small Business Person of the Year Attorney Laurie Lee, founder of The Legal Department law firm, has been selected as the 2019 North Florida District Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year. She will receive the award Friday at the Small Business Development Center’s Small Business Week celebration at the University of North Florida. A 2003 graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Lee worked in a large Jacksonville firm until January 2015, when she opened her solo practice. She has grown the firm to include herself and another attorney, a certified corporate paralegal, a director of operations and a client services administrator. The firm has about 200 clients, all small businesses with 20 or fewer employees such as accountants, architects, engineers, interior designers and other licensed service professionals. “We’re strict about that size requirement, so we have a nar-
row niche,” said Lee. The firm also operates on a flat fee basis instead of billing clients by the hour, a facet Lee said is intended to encourage earlier access to counsel. “Too many Lee small businesses only go to a lawyer when they’re in trouble. I wanted to change that. We help small businesses avoid legal trouble by consulting with an attorney early,” she said.
4th Judicial Circut creating registry for expert witnesses The 4th Judicial Circuit is creating a registry of expert witnesses who are willing to accept appointments to perform forensic mental health evaluations in adult and juvenile criminal cases in Duval County. Circuit Judges Linda McCallum and Mark Borello are undertaking the effort to try to minimize costs while improving the efficiency of getting
Special to the Daily Record
Camilo Ramirez, left, won a $6,000 prize by sinking a hole-in-one at the yard golf event presented by the Pajcic & Pajcic law firm. He’s shown with 8-month-old daughter, Reid, and attorney Steve Pajcic.
treatment to people who are incarcerated and have mental health issues. The registry will comprise mental health experts who are willing to accept appointments and work on them expeditiously so that defendants with mental health issues can receive treatment and services as quickly as possible. The application and information about the application process may be found at jud4. org.
KEYS 2 Drive program expanded to Nassau County
The KEYS 2 Drive program implemented in Duval County by the 4th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office nearly a year ago now is available in Nassau County. The goal is to allow people with certain infractions to obtain a valid driver license and avoid criminal charges on primary offenses of driving while their license is suspended or revoked, or if they are charged with driving without a valid driver license. The State Attorney’s Office, Nassau County judges, clerk of
courts and Court Options have partnered to expand the program, which has the support of area law enforcement. “It gives people an avenue to get back on the road legally and alleviates overcrowding in our jail,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper in a news release. Participants with violations covered by the program often find themselves in a cycle of suspensions, fines and fees after repeated infractions. With the support of the Nassau County Clerk of Courts, they have a feasible path toward meeting their financial obligations comprising case-specific payment plans, including the opportunity to pull delinquent fines and fees from collections, a step that can save participants up to 35% of what they owe. More than 650 people have successfully obtained their license in Duval County through the program since it began. For more information on KEYS 2 Drive, visit sao4th. com or call (904) 903-4293. MMARBUT@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
D.W. Perkins officers sworn in
Photo by Max Marbut
The D.W. Perkins Bar Association inducted its 2019-20 officers at its annual meeting last week at The River Club. With 2018-19 President Gregory Redmon watching from the podium, from left, Circuit Judge Karen Cole administered the oath to President LaToya Williams Shelton, President-elect Christine Michel, Administrative Officer Katrina Hamilton and Treasurer Noel G. Lawrence. Secretary LaTonya Lipscomb Smith did not attend the ceremony.
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
Thursday, May 9, 2019 • Page 19
Rogers Towers shareholder
BY MAX MARBUT • ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Age: 62
Robert Riegel recently joined the Rogers Towers law firm. He is boardcertified in labor and employment law by The Florida Bar. What inspired you to become a lawyer? When I was growing up in South Carolina, my dad was a minister and one of his go-to people in the church was a good friend and a lawyer. That guy always impressed me as having a grasp on what was happening in the church and around town, and he had a terrific temperament. In law school, my eventual mentor, Dan Coffman, reaffirmed the qualities I had seen in my family friend. How do you relate your undergraduate degree to your practice of law? In my undergraduate years at Stetson University, I emphasized three areas: Political science, my major, English and business. Each of those has been important in my law practice. Political science aids me in understanding how governments and the legal system work and it has taught me a lot about analyzing motives of individuals and groups. My training in English has been a component of my writing skills. My business courses have been important in understanding critical issues for my employer clients that impact what my advice will be on significant decisions. How did you decide your practice area? My practice area of labor and employment law chose me. I was fortunate enough to have a close friend whose family business had a union issue and I was hired as a summer associate by Dan Coffman, who was advising that company. I immediately liked the combination of litigation, counseling, administrative law and simply analyzing and dealing with human interaction and crisis management.
Education: Stetson University, bachelor’s in political science; Stetson University College of Law, J.D.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar? Competition is intense now compared to 30 years ago, when excellence and community involvement were all you needed to prosper. For better or for worse, marketing individually and as a firm is now critically important.
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina Family: Fiancé, Jeanne; daughter Ellie, 25, and son, Scott, 34
What do you think will be the next biggest change in your area of law? Substantively in labor and employment law, we watch the pendulum swinging back and forth as politics swings. I think we soon will see paid family leave, a further increase in retaliation and whistleblower litigation and significant litigation over workers in the “gig” economy, especially as to whether they are actually employees or independent contractors.
Favorite book: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” because I read it with my daughter
If I could change anything in the legal system, I would: Look for changes to deter the filing of meritless cases that simply create costs in order to leverage settlements. What community service have you pursued and why that? The Jacksonville Urban League and its foundation board. I always have been interested in improving communication and reconciliation between races, following my dad’s example, and I think JUL is the best platform I have seen in Northeast Florida for doing that. Also Fresh Ministries with its novel but practical concepts for helping
Special to the Daily Record
impoverished people to help themselves. And the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. My lifelong love of the Episcopal Church has led me to serve for many years as a vice chancellor. What’s your advice for new lawyers? Be energetic, absorb all the knowledge and experience from your environment that you can and don’t take yourself too seriously.
Websites and apps I can’t live without: Spotify and Pandora, Waze, Google, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Orange Theory Favorite nonwork activities: Exercise of any kind, travel, hiking, fishing, boating and great restaurants
Joel Settembrini, Jr.
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IN THE LAW
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Page 20 • Thursday, May 9, 2019
Jacksonville Daily Record/Jacksonville Record & Observer
DOUBLE DOWN With David Weekley Homes
Here’s the deal…
Hit the jackpot with a 6% Total Commission between May 1 and June 30, 2019, when you sell a home built from the ground up in Hampton West or a Quick Move-in Home in Oxford Estates.
6%
Learn how the deck is stacked in your favor by contacting 904-345-4293
See a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant for details. Not valid with any other offer or previously written contracts. Bonus Commission offer must be presented to Sales Consultant prior to signing of the contract. Three (3) percent Bonus Commission is available to Real Estate Agents who sell a To-Be-Built Imagination by David Weekley home in the Jacksonville community of Hampton West or a David Weekley Quick Move-in Home in the Jacksonville community of Oxford Estates between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019. All additional commissions will be shown on the Closing Disclosure and paid after closing, by check payable to the Broker who is identified as Real Estate Agent’s sponsoring Broker at the time of the first contract, unless that Broker releases the Real Estate Agent commissions to another Broker. Real Estate Agent must meet all other requirements for earning a commission on each sale (per Commission Protection Agreement and applicable Florida law), and must be listed as the Real Estate Agent on the agreement at the time of the first write up. Any home purchased by a Real Estate Agent for any purpose other than owner occupancy will not be counted toward a Reward or Bonus. Real Estate Agent is responsible for any income taxes on the bonus, and any other costs incurred in connection with same. David Weekley Homes reserves the right to terminate program or change rules at any time. Prices, plans, dimensions, features, specifications, materials, and availability of homes or communities are subject to change without notice or obligation. Illustrations are artist’s depictions only and may differ from completed improvements. Copyright © 2019 David Weekley Homes - All Rights Reserved. CBC1257289 Weekley Homes, LLC. Jacksonville, FL (JACA103784)