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December 12-18, 2019
Pedal Pub party bike to offer tours of neighborhood bars PAGE 4
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JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer REDEVELOPMENT JACKSONVILLE
Council sets vote on JEA resolution
CORNER LOT PLANS Record Observer SAN MARCO’S& NEXT STEP Smith Hulsey & Busey hired to advise City Council about the utility’s possible sale.
JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer BY MIKE MENDENHALL STAFF WRITER
JACKSONVILLE
City Council will wait until Jan. 14 to vote on member Brenda Priestly Jackson’s resolution urging the JEA board to end the utility’s efforts to privatize. The Dec. 10 decision was one of several developments this week in the city-owned utility’s push toward a possible sale. Council also approved an emergency bill at the meeting to hire Jacksonville-based law firm Smith Hulsey & Busey to advise members about JEA’s invitation to negotiate. JEA’s board of directors scheduled a meeting for Dec. 17, its first since Oct. 22. A draft version of the agenda shows the board is scheduled to discuss and possibly take action on a rate change related to its growing financial liability with the Georgia nuclear Plant Vogtle. Other highlights this week from JEA include: n JEA board Chair April Green appeared before a Council factfinding committee to ask members to “press the restart button” on the invitation to negotiate. n JEA board member and Corner Lot Development Group CEO Andy Allen said his Dec. 2 resignation from the board was to protect his business. n JEA negotiators, staff and city ethics director Carla Miller traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, to meet with nine companies bidding to buy JEA.
Record & Observer SAN MARCO SPACE TRANSFORMED Photo by Karen Brune Mathis
Restaurant, possibly offices planned for the former men’s club space. BY KAREN BRUNE MATHIS
Above: Bill Ware with Harbert Realty Services and George Leone and Andy Allen of Corner Lot Development Group stand in front of the 1939 Hendricks Ave. building they plan to demolish and transform into a restaurant, and possibly, office space. Below: An artist’s rendering of the new building planned at 1939 Hendricks Ave. Plans for the building, near San Marco Square and across the street from Southside Baptist Church, include 32 parking spaces.
EDITOR
S
an Marco could start 2020 with another redevelopment near the neighborhood’s central Atlantic Boulevard and Hendricks Avenue intersection. Corner Lot Development Group CEO Andy Allen and COO George Leone, in partnership with Harbert Realty Services, have a contract to buy the 67-year-old building at 1939 Hendricks Ave. Allen said they plan to close on the purchase about April. The group intends to demolish the building and redevelop the site with a restaurant and possibly
Special to the Daily Record
SEE SAN MARCO, PAGE 6
The top commercial sales of the week in Northeast Florida PAGE 5 Basch Report: Maple Street offices may be on the move PAGE 8 Sailer Report: Bill seeks to boost affordable housing PAGE 10
MMENDENHALL@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MIMENDENHALL (904) 356-2466
THE MATHIS REPORT
Southside payroll firm plans to expand, hire 130 workers Plus: Imeson warehouse, restaurant notes. PAGE 3 VOLUME 2, NO. 28 • ONE SECTION
2
WHAT’S TRENDING
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD /J ACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
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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Amazon wants to transform this former Kmart at 4645 Blanding Blvd. into an ecommerce distribution, fulfillment and delivery center.
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Amazon wants to redevelop old Kmart Amazon.com, already with four major centers in Jacksonville, plans to develop a fifth at a closed Kmart along Blanding Boulevard in Westside. The 107,000-square-foot discount department store at 4645 Blanding Blvd. closed almost seven years ago. The city is reviewing plans to rezone the property for use as an e-commerce distribution, fulfillment and delivery center. Seattle-based Amazon is listed as the developer in the planned unit development description. The property
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is between Blanding and Wesconnett boulevards on the Westside. The property owner, Miami-based Blanding Self Storage LLC, purchased three contiguous parcels, totaling 11.37 acres, in February and August for $4.8 million. Austin Kay, vice president and retail specialist with NAI Hallmark, said discussions began in April with Amazon to lease the property for the distribution facility and the lease was signed in July. Kay anticipates property rezoning could be completed in the first quarter.
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Canopy Road Cafe, Jumpin’ Jax expanding
Staff Writer / Scott Sailer ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com
Tallahassee-based Canopy Road Cafe, which opened its first Northeast Florida restaurant in February, announced Dec. 9 it plans to open two more area locations over the next two years. The chain, which offers traditional breakfast and lunch fare, will open in the Shoppes of St. Johns Parkway in the spring. The chain also signed a lease at Saltwater Row, a mixed-use development in Neptune Beach planned to open in spring 2021.
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n Jumpin’ Jax House of Food owner Howland “Howdy” Russell plans a Jan. 3 opening in Downtown Jacksonville. Russell is subleasing the former 20West Cafe space at 20 W. Adams St. from Florida State College at Jacksonville for at least three years. n Newk’s Eatery closed its Town Center Promenade restaurant. The chain opened at 4520 Town Center Parkway in July 2017. Newk’s continues to operate four Jacksonville locations.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
3
Paycor plans to hire 130 workers for expansion Special to Daily Record
KAREN BRUNE MATHIS EDITOR
Cincinnati-based payroll firm expanding in Innovation Park.
Paycor says it serves more than 30,000 customers nationwide, providing HR and payroll services.
The city approved development plans Dec. 5 for the proposed 1.1 million-squarefoot Imeson Industrial Building E on about 53 acres at 10501 Cold Storage Road, Unit 500, in Imeson Park. VanTrust Real Estate LLC, through JI Imeson Industrial LLC, is the property owner and developer of the north Jacksonville site. Plans show the building at 1,106,560 square feet, but no tenant is identified. The city issued a permit Nov. 1 for the building foundation at a job cost of $100,000. Evans General Contractors of Alpharetta, Georgia, is the contractor. VanTrust Executive Vice President John Carey said in November that no tenant has been signed and the development timing has not been determined. “We just want to be able to respond very quickly,” he said. Carey said this week he had no update. Plans indicate the facility will provide parking for 222 vehicles and 550 trailers and will include a small portion within the building for the main office. Building E is part of the 3 million square feet of development rights VanTrust has at the park.
hiring will begin once the additional occupancy occurs,” Paycor said in a statement. Paycor will hire for client Paycor Inc., a nationwide service-based positions. Jobs payroll and human resources posted online for Jacksonville company that opened its Jackinclude client support specialsonville office 20 years ago, ists, sales executives and impleintends to hire up to 130 people mentation consultants. as it expands in Southside. Paycor.com says organiSpokeswoman Katy Bunn zations across the nation said Paycor employs 90 people use Paycor’s Perform online at its 11,000-square-foot system. office in Greystone Business “Every Paycor client is Park at 10550 Deerwood Park assigned to a specific team of Blvd., No. 306, where it has HR, payroll, and timekeepoperated since opening in ing specialists. There’s no call Jacksonville. centers here,” it says. It will expand by April into an The Cincinnati-based comadditional 33,696 square feet of pany says it serves more than space at 6735 Southpoint Drive 30,000 small and medium-size S. in Innovation Park. businesses nationwide. “We will be undergoing Colliers International a complete space renovaNortheast Florida announced tion including new furniture, Dec. 3 that Paycor leased space fixtures and equipment,” Bunn at Innovation Park, a twosaid. Paycor is not disclosing building office complex at 6735 its investment. and 6737 Southpoint Drive KMATHIS@ Bunn said the expansion S. previously used by CSX JAXDAILYRECORD.COM makes room for an additional Corp. CSX vacated the space @MATHISKB 130 employees. in March 2018. Colliers said (904) 356-2466 “The additional headcount occupancy nowRECORD__10.375x8__JULY2019.qxp_Layout is 85%. TRMK-19001 TRAILMARK AD__JACKSONVILLE DAILY 1 8/1/19 2:06 PM
RESTAURANT NOTES Blue Bamboo II seating: Chef Dennis Chan said his Blue Bamboo II restaurant in Mandarin will have 208 seats, comprising the main dining room, bar area and private dining. The Angelo Group Inc. is the contractor for the $2.19 million project to convert and expand the building at 10110 San Jose Blvd. into a 7,401-square-foot restaurant. Dunkin’ Donuts in Southside Quarter: Hines announced construction will start in January for Dunkin’ Donuts at Southside Quarter for completion in May. The developer said Prem and Pooja LLC bought 0.77 acres for the project. A deed recorded Oct. 7 with the Duval County Clerk of Courts shows Prem and Pooja paid $750,000 for the property Sept. 27. Hines is developing the mixeduse Southside Quarter at southwest Interstate 295 and Butler Boulevard. Starbucks in Baymeadows, St. Johns County: The city is reviewing a permit application for a $275,000 build-out of a shell building for Starbucks Coffee Co. at Baymeadows Park. St. Johns County is reviewing a permit for Starbucks to renovate a 3,760-squarefoot Burger King on 0.93
acres at 495 Florida 13 N. in the Fruit Cove area for conversion into a Starbucks with a drive-thru. Bowman Consulting Group of Tampa is the agent. JEA issued a service availability letter for the project. Burger King rebuild: The city approved demolition of a 2,600-square-foot Burger King and construction of a 2,884-square-foot replacement Burger King at 6014 New Kings Road at a total cost of almost $503,000. Diversified Commercial Builders is the contractor.
THE MATHIS REPORT
Site plans OK’d for 1M-square-foot Imeson warehouse
Wingstop to Taylor Place: The city approved buildout for Wingstop at 13947 Beach Blvd., No. 203, in Taylor Place. Adkins Construction Co. LLC is the contractor for the 1,646-square-foot buildout at a project cost of $245,000. It primarily is a takeout restaurant. Arby’s on Mayport Road: The city approved a permit for Kasteel Enterprises Inc. to remodel the Arby’s fast-food restaurant at 2501 Mayport Road at a cost of $325,802. The 2,684-square-foot structure was built in 1998.
Page 1
SEE MATHIS, PAGE X
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
JaxDailyRecord.com
KATIE GARWOOD STAFF WRITER
The company is leasing space on Bay Street and is taking reservations for a February launch. By February, a 15-seat party bike will be the newest way to visit bars and breweries in Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield and Riverside. Theresa and Rick Pontieri, along with friends Eric and Amanda Blocker, will open Jacksonville’s Pedal Pub franchise with two bikes. It will offer pub crawls in the three neighborhoods, with plans to add tours in San Marco, Avondale and the Sports Complex eventually, said Theresa Pontieri. The company is leasing space at 233 E. Bay St. That’s where the Downtown tour will start and guests can book tours and buy merchandise. The other two tours will leave from a bar or brewery in those neighborhoods. Riders can book a time, the number of seats they need and
Special to the Daily Record
Jacksonville’s Pedal Pub franchise is launching next year for riders to take pub crawls through Downtown, Springfield and Riverside. The two-hour tour will cost $38 on weekdays and $42 on weekends.
which neighborhood they want to tour. Pedal Pub has arranged stops and groups can create custom tours within the neighborhoods served. Pontieri said individuals can book seats on the tour, but it also works well for parties and corporate outings. The tour lasts about two hours. It’s $38 per person on weekdays and $42 on weekends. To book a whole Pedal Pub, the cost comes out to around $30 a person. Riders can bring their own drinks to store in the pub’s cooler to consume while they pedal and ride. The pedal pub is driven by what the company calls a
“pilot,” who steers the pub, plays music and serves as the group’s guide. The Pedal Pub is powered by a motor, but for the tour to take off, eight riders need to be present. The bikes ride in the street and pull over if cars start to back up behind it. Downtown, riders will visit Bold City Brewery, Dos Gatos, Intuition Ale Works, Island Girl Cigar Bar, Justice Pub, Spliff’s Gastropub and The Volstead. Pontieri said Bold City agreed to create a Pedal Pub beer for the company that riders can drink when they stop at the bar, and also can fill a crowler before they leave.
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ABOUT TAXES?
The city, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and business owners have been receptive to the idea, Pontieri said. Based on her discussions with city officials, as long as alcoholic beverages stay on the bike, “they’re going to let us do our thing.” The Springfield tour will focus on breweries. It starts at Crispy’s restaurant, then visits Hyperion Brewing, Main & Six Brewing Co. and finishes at Strings Sports Brewery. The Riverside tour starts at Bold City Brewery on Roselle Street or The Garage on King Street, then visits bars in Five Points, the River & Post Restaurant and Rooftop Lounge and ends at Kickbacks Gastropub. Riders wear wristbands entitling them to discounts at each bar. The tour stops at each location for 20 to 30 minutes. Pontieri said she wants the bars and breweries on the tour to benefit from Pedal Pub. She’s been meeting with them to determine when their business is slowest so she can schedule tours to stop there then. That also benefits those on the tour. “We want our people to come in and get VIP service and then be able to leave again,” she said. The Pedal Pubs can be rented for tailgates or parties. A Pedal Pub can be delivered to the location, and since it includes beer taps onboard, guests can use the bike for seating and drink there, too. The pub would be sent with
a pilot who would serve the group. Eventually, Pontieri said the company would offer a tailgate tour that starts two hours before game time at Intuition Ale Works, travels around the Sports Complex and ends at That Bar at the Arena. With the additional tours, Pontieri said she plans to add two more bikes by the summer, with a goal of 10 eventually. Pontieri said the two bikes will be Theresa Pontieri leased from Pedal Pub to start, but are around $60,000 to buy. Pontieri owns a law firm, Carli Law. Her husband, Rick, is a firefighter. She and her ownership group have invested about $80,000 into the company so far. Theresa Pontieri saw a photo of a Pedal Pub on Facebook and thought Jacksonville needed it to raise its profile and give people something to do while promoting small businesses. “We’ve got some really cool establishments, but you know, there’s just nothing that gives any of them visibility,” Pontieri said. “So we really wanted to do something that was going to be good for local business that we knew would be fun.” KGARWOOD@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
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HEALTH & BUSINESS
Pedal Pub party bike to offer tours of area bars
JACKSONVILLE DAILY RECORD / JACKSONVILLE RECORD & OBSERVER
JaxDailyRecord.com
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BY SCOTT SAILER • STAFF WRITER
Here are the top 10 commercial real estate sales in Northeast Florida, comprising Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns counties. The sales were recorded Dec. 2-6.
File image
DUVAL
DUVAL
DUVAL
DUVAL
DUVAL
$67,755,000
$9,325,000
$7,788,000
$7,700,000
$6,011,933
4674 Town Center Parkway, Jacksonville
9047 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville
5821 San Juan Ave., Jacksonville
8000 and 8001 Belfort Parkway, Jacksonville
7147 Merrill Road, Jacksonville
Type: Ravella at Town Center apartments Parcel size: 5.58 acres Buyer: Ravella Apartments LLC Seller: Stanmore ADEF Jax Owner LLC
Type: Beauclerc Bay Apartments Parcel size: 5.36 acres Buyer: Lighthouse Jax LLC Seller: PCH Bay Apartments LLC Previous sale: $6,750,000 in 2019
Type: Villas at Cedar Creek apartments Parcel size: 4.96 acres Buyer: 5821 San Juan Avenue LLC Seller: TNS Property Investments LLC and Villas CC 118 LLC Previous sale: $4,814,000 in 2017
Type: Two single-story office warehouse buildings Parcel size: 26.05 acres Building size: Two buildings of 50,400 and 36,000 square feet Buyer: RLFED Belfort LLC Seller: Acorn Belfort Park LLC
Type: Johnny Clean Car Wash Parcel size: 1.33 acres Building size: 11,501 square feet Buyer: CH Realty VIII CW FL Johnny Clean I LLC Seller: JCCW 1-3 LLC
ST. JOHNS
CLAY
ST. JOHNS
DUVAL
DUVAL
$5,419,808
$4,750,000
$3,975,000
$3,966,639
$3,720,000
2680 Race Track Road, Julington Creek
1775 Wells Road, Orange Park Type: Outback Steakhouse Parcel size: 1.92 acres Building size: 6,644 square feet Buyer: 106-108 Bayard Street Corp. Seller: Bayard Coconut Creek Exchange II LLC Previous sale: $4,548,200 in 2016
4954 Town Center Parkway and 5064 Weebers Crossing Drive, Jacksonville
7752 Lem Turner Road, Jacksonville
Type: CVS Pharmacy Parcel size: 2.58 acres Building size: 16,196 square feet Buyer: MDC Coast 19 LLC Seller: ARCP CV Jacksonville FL LLC Previous sale: $6,452,900 in 2014
6050 U.S. 1 N. and 28 Binninger Drive, St. Augustine Type: Vacant land and warehousing Parcel size: Not available Buyer: Richmond American Homes of Florida LP Seller: North Creek Partners LLC
Type: 73.85% interest in Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Scrubbles Express Wash Parcels size: 2.29 acres Building sizes: 7,849 and 12,251 square feet Buyer: Pine19 Jacksonville FL LLC Seller: CTO18 Jacksonville FL LLC
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
Top commercial sales of the week
A St. Louisbased developer and investor paid $67.75 million Dec. 3 for the 306-unit Ravella at Town Center apartments. The project was completed in 2018 at 4674 Town Center Parkway in The Strand at Town Center.
20
5
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
Type: Gas station, convenience store with car wash Parcel size: 0.47 acres Building size: 8,551 square feet for two buildings Buyer: Boca Gas Company Holdings 2 LLC Seller: First Coast Energy LLP
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San Marco
issued. The application shows the property on “lockdown” and was coded as “unsafe/condemn.” Allen said the property ownership negotiated and entered into the contract with Bill Ware, vice president of development of Harbert Realty Services.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
office space. Allen, whose company is based nearby, called the site “super important.” “It’s almost adjacent to the Square and on a main corridor close to Downtown,” he said. The building was used as Club Jacksonville, a men’s club. Descriptions online show an indoor pool, fitness equipment and other amenities. The city Municipal Code Compliance Division condemned the structure July 26, deeming it unsafe and subject to demolition.
SAN MARCO “MOMENTUM”
PROPERTY OPTIONS
Allen provided conceptual marketing renderings, but emphasized the drawings and plans could change. The new structure is shown on those preliminary renderings as The Three Lions, which Allen said is a placeholder name and not a specific project. Demolition would take place about 90 days after the closing, followed by construction. Allen didn’t have an investment estimate because it will be new construction and he hadn’t determined whether it would be a single- or two-story building, but he does say it would be a multimillion-dollar project. “We are exploring options for a high-end restaurant and possibly office use, but we are leaning toward finding a restaurant that would be here long-term,” he said. Allen said Corner Lot has spoken with a few regional restaurants. “One of the biggest values we
Special to the Daily Record
Preliminary renderings of the building show a two-story structure, but they could change. Corner Lot is seeking a restaurant for the property.
have is parking,” he said, referring to the commodity that redeveloping historic neighborhoods find lacking. His plans show 32 parking spaces on the site. Allen said his group will carefully consider the tenant and he would like it to operate at least for lunch and dinner. He envisions a concept such as a highend American grill, but said the opportunities aren’t limited to that. He also doesn’t want to mimic San Marco staples Matthew’s, Taverna or bb’s. “We are going to be selective so that it’s a win for all,” Allen said. “But we will talk to whoever comes and talks to us.” On his LinkedIn social media profile, Allen posted last week to the attention of commercial bro-
kers, agents, restaurateurs and “party people” about the property. “We have an iconic site for a build to suit, land lease, or joint venture for a restaurant concept right here in San Marco next to the square,” Allen posted. “Local, regional, national … we are all ears,” Allen posted. “AND, we have onsite Parking!” He asks readers to contact him for more information, “and spread the word!” Plans posted on LinkedIn and renderings he provided show a two-story, 8,950-square-foot structure. “That is more to get the community talking. Conceptually, that is not 100% what we are doing,” he said. A single-story 5,000- to
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6,000-square-foot restaurant is possible, as are a two-story building or a one-story restaurant with a high ceiling. “It all boils down that it needs to make sense fiscally,” Allen said. The existing two-story, 10,521-square-foot building was constructed in 1952 and is assessed at $688,402 for tax purposes, according to Duval County property records. It sits on 0.46 acres. Its property use is listed as club/lodge/union hall. Records show the property is owned by the estate of Raymond P. Diemer in care of Athletic Ventures of Florida Inc. Owners applied to the city in February for a permit to make roof repairs, but the permit was returned for corrections and not
Corner Lot Development Group is active in San Marco. It is based at 1611 Atlantic Blvd., the building it bought last summer for its headquarters. It moved from another San Marco address. It also is working with Harbert to develop Park Place at San Marco, an apartment project proposed on part of the South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church site at 2137 Hendricks Ave. That site is next to the proposed East San Marco retail center proposed at southeast Hendricks Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard. Publix Super Markets Inc. intends to anchor East San Marco. “I do think with Publix coming in there is a lot of momentum,” Allen said. Also in San Marco, hundreds of apartments are coming on line with the San Marco Crossing and San Marco Promenade; the redeveloped Riverplace Boulevard “road diet” now is usable to encourage pedestrians and safety; and more restaurants are opening, such as the planned Florida Cracker Kitchen. Allen also lives in the San Marco area. “It’s enjoyable … to be touching development in all different aspects and to see the neighborhood grow in a systematic way,” he said.
KMATHIS@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM @MATHISKB (904) 356-2466
BUSINESS CALENDAR To find more business events or to submit your event to the the business calendar, visit jaxdailyrecord.com/calendar. security. The event is 7-8:30 p.m. at the UNF Adam W. Herbert University Center JAN. 14 at 12000 Alumni Drive. Attendance is Stavridis at World Affree but reservations are required. For fairs Council: Retired information, visit worldaffairscounciljax. Adm. James Stavridis com or call (904) 280-8162. is scheduled to speak about “Global Power JAN. 22 and Sea Power” to the Meacham and Rice at Florida Forum: World Affairs Council Stavridis The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s of Jacksonville Global Hospital 2019-20 Florida Forum series will Issues Evening and feature author Jon Meacham and Super the University of North Florida’s Distinguished Voices Lecture Series on Jan. 14. Bowl champion Jerry Rice. Meacham is scheduled Jan. 22 and Rice concludes the Stavridis is a retired four-star admiral in current series Feb. 25 at the Times-Union the U.S. Navy who led the NATO AlliCenter for the Performing Arts. Forum ance in global operations from 2009-13 sponsors are Wells Fargo, Florida Blue and as Supreme Allied Commander with Landstar. For information, visit thefloridaresponsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the forum.com or call (904) 202-2886. Balkans, Syria, counterpiracy and cyber-
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Wilson
Bradshaw
Alfred
Allen
Wolfe
Schoninger
Keith
Lindenmoyer
Burkhardt
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Promotions, hirings and happenings for business people in Northeast Florida. Send items to ssailer@jaxdailyrecord.com The NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Northeast Florida Chapter announced its 2020 board. President: Trey Wilson, partner, Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow President-elect: Vince McCormack, president, Perdue Office Interiors Vice presidents of public affairs: David Smith, Danis Construction; Katie Kirchner, Strategic Sites Treasurer: Laura Gonzales, TD Bank Developing leaders: Daniel Burkhardt, NAI Hallmark Partners Past presidents and directors: Nelson Bradshaw, BBVA, 2019 president; Julie Bohn Howard, Bohn Real Estate, 2018 president Directors at large: Paul Grainger, Iconic Investments; Dan Tatsch, Hillwood Investment Properties; Christian Oldenburg, Colliers International; Dan Santinga, Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc. Gov. Ron DeSantis reappointed Nelson Bradshaw, BBVA Northeast Florida CEO, to the Florida Development Finance Corp., a state-authorized issuer of industrial revenue bonds, for a four-year term. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. Ray Alfred was reappointed by Mayor Lenny Curry to a second four-year term on the Jacksonville Aviation Authority board of directors. Alfred is president and CEO of Emergency Responders’ Industries Inc., a consulting company specializing in homeland security and all hazards issues. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Jacksonville City Council. Janet Allen was promoted to grants and IT manager at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Allen
is responsible for research, processing grants and the coordination and implementation of IT strategies. Daniel Burkhardt was promoted to senior vice president of NAI Hallmark, specializing in commercial real estate investment sales. Since joining NAI Hallmark in 2012, Burkhardt has represented clients in more than 200 transactions totaling more than $275 million in value. Mark Wolfe joined MasterCraft Builder Group as senior new home consultant for the Shearwater and Silverleaf communities in St. Johns County. Wolfe started in home sales in 2000 and most recently was market manager for Drees Custom Homes. Craig Schoninger was promoted to director of sales and marketing at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club Ponte Vedra Beach, which comprise the Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts. Scott Keith was appointed North Florida regional president for Truist, the merged BB&T and SunTrust banking organizations. He is one of 24 regional presidents appointed for Truist’s community banking model in local markets. Keith previously was regional president for BB&T’s North and Central Florida region. The merger was completed Dec. 10. Linda Lindenmoyer was named 2020-21 JAXUSA Partnership Business Development Committee chair. Lindenmoyer is vice president of relocation services at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty and serves on the chamber’s board of governors.
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These are the largest commercial building permits by job cost issued Tuesday by the city of Jacksonville. APARTMENTS The Menlo Apartments, 11390 Square St., contractor is Southern Elegance Pools LLC, install pool, $100,000. Baymeadows Apartments, 9801 Old Baymeadows Road, contractor is Jo En Construction Inc., three permits for siding replacement, $24,000. CONDOMINIUMS The Peninsula at St. John’s Center Condominium Association Inc., 1431 Riverplace Blvd., contractor is Auld & White Constructors LLC, alteration and repair, $500,000. INDUSTRIAL Collins Aerospace, 10531 Busch Drive N., contractor is F&G Construction General Contractors Inc., install crane foundations, $68,023. RESTAURANTS San Marco Union Hall LLC, 1435 Naldo Ave., contractor is Ashco Inc., tenant build-out, $15,000.
SIGNS Ascension St. Vincent’s, 1 Shircliff Way, contractor is Don Bell Signs Inc., monument sign, $6,500. Ascension St. Vincent’s, 9504 Crosshill Blvd., contractor is Southeastern Lighting Solutions Inc., two permits for wall signs, $1,700. STORES, MERCANTILE Mavis Discount Tire, 6807 Stuart Lane S., contractor is Gamble & Associates Construction Inc., 4,633 square feet, install loading dock, $84,800. Gate Petroleum, 5480 Collins Road, contractor is FLC Contracting LLC, restroom renovation, $30,000. Gate Petroleum, 8020 Collins Road, contractor is FLC Contracting LLC, restroom renovation, $30,000. Compiled by Scott Sailer
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
JaxDailyRecord.com
MARK BASCH CONTRIBUTING WRITER
New owner Cracker Barrel says “the Maple Street team will be relocating to Nashville.” In her first public comments since the acquisition of Maple Street Biscuit Company, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. CEO Sandy Cochran said “we’re committed to preserving the integrity of the Maple Street brand.” However, during the company’s quarterly conference call Nov. 26, Cochran also said “the Maple Street team will be relocating to Nashville.” Cochran didn’t say more and Cracker Barrel and Maple Street representatives did not respond to phone messages about the future of Maple Street’s home office in Orange Park. Cracker Barrel, headquartered outside of Nashville, acquired the chain of 33 Maple Street restaurants in October for $36 million. The company said Maple Street will remain separate from the Cracker Barrel restaurants and hadn’t previously said anything about moving the subsidiary’s offices. The companies did not give financial data for Maple Street when the deal was announced. However, Cracker Barrel’s report for the quarter ended Nov. 1 showed revenue of $749 million, and the company said its revenue would have been $752.9 million if it owned Maple Street for the full quarter. That means Maple Street produced about $3.9 million in revenue in the quarter. “We believe Maple Street will serve as a growth vehicle that complements Cracker Barrel by accelerating our penetration in this segment (breakfast and lunch fastcasual dining) by providing increased exposure to urban
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Maple Street Biscuit Company was founded in Northeast Florida in 2012 and sold to Cracker Barrel in October for $36 million.
and suburban markets and to the millennial and Gen Z” markets, Cochran said.
Arizona holding company acquires Drone Aviation
An Arizona-based company last week acquired Jacksonville-based Drone Aviation Holding Corp., which produces tethered aerial monitoring and communications platforms ComSovereign Corp., a holding company for businesses involved in telecommunications, silicon photonics and power systems, bought publicly traded Drone Aviation and said the name of the merged company is ComSovereign Holding Corp. The companies did not say where the company will be headquartered, but ComSovereign’s address is listed in Tucson, Arizona, in the merger agreement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ComSovereign CEO Dan Hodges was named chief executive of the company and Drone Aviation CEO Dan Erdberg resigned with the merger. Drone Aviation listed 22 full-time and three part-time employees in a recent SEC filing. A Drone Aviation spokesman did not respond to email and voicemail messages asking about the Jacksonville office after the merger. Privately held ComSovereign’s stockholders received 95 million new shares of Drone Aviation under the merger agreement, giving them 69% of all outstanding shares, according to the SEC filing. Drone Aviation’s stock was
trading at 82 cents when the deal was announced, which would put the total value of the issued shares at about $78 million. ComSovereign will be publicly traded. The SEC filing said the company expects the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to issue a new trading symbol for the stock. Drone Aviation’s shares continue to trade in the OTC market under its “DRNE” symbol for now. Drone Aviation reported revenue of $4.1 million and a net loss of $475,064 in the first nine months of this year. “This merger represents a significant milestone in our strategic plan for Drone Aviation as we expand into the 5G wireless communications market, creating valuable new opportunities to leverage our patented tethered drone and aerostat technologies to create flying cellular towers for government and commercial customers around the world,” Erdberg said in a news release.
Analyst expresses Landstar concerns Landstar System Inc. has been a successful trucking company for three decades with its business model of not owning trucks but contracting with drivers who own their own vehicles to haul freight. However, one analyst cautioned last week that new state laws could change the relationship between Landstar and some of its drivers. Goldman Sachs analyst Jordan Alliger said in a report that a California law taking effect in January “could potentially limit who can be deemed an
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Dividend for Patriot Transportation Jacksonville’s other publicly traded trucking company, Patriot Transportation Holding Inc., reported lower earnings for its fourth quarter ended Sept. 30. However, the company also last week declared its first cash dividends on its common stock. Patriot not only declared a quarterly dividend of 15 cents a share, but it also said it will pay a one-time special dividend of $3 per share. Patriot reported earnings of 6 cents a share for the fourth quarter, down from 19 cents a year ago. However, last year’s earnings were helped by a 12-cent tax benefit. Revenue fell 9%, impacted by driver shortages and by hurricanes along its network in the quarter. Patriot said it will spend $10 million to pay the special dividend, but it had $21 million in cash and no outstanding debt at the end of the fiscal year. In a conference call, CEO Robert Sandlin said he is hopeful for earnings improvement in the new fiscal year. “The company’s bottom line operating results were not up to our expectations in fiscal 2019, but we do see some positive momentum in some areas,” he said.
Other
No succession plan in place at CSX In 2015, Oscar Munoz was promoted to president of CSX Corp. and looked like the eventual successor to CEO Michael Ward. Instead, Munoz left the Jacksonville-based railroad to become chief executive of United Airlines Holdings Corp. But the Chicago-based airline announced last week that Munoz will retire as CEO in May 2020 after more than four years on the job and become executive chairman of the board. Since Munoz left CSX, the company’s executive suite has been completely overhauled and Jim Foote, who was promoted to CEO in December 2017, indicated last week there is no succession plan in place these days. Foote was speaking at an investor conference when analyst Allison Landry of host firm Credit Suisse asked if the 65-year-old had an update on succession plans. “You. You ready?” Foote asked Landry. “I’m ready,” Landry replied, and that was the end of it. On a more serious note, Foote said the same trends which have had CSX projecting slightly lower revenue this year remain heading into 2020. “We just don’t see anything right now that gives me reason to believe there’s a lot of change out there,” he said.
Cannae raises $236M in stock sale Cannae Holdings Inc., the investment company spun off from Fidelity National Financial Inc., raised an additional $236 million in a public stock sale last week. The company said the proceeds from the sale could be used for future acquisitions, but it did not say anything about specific deals. Cannae’s investments include stakes in several restaurant chains and business data firm Dun & Bradstreet Corp. Cannae is headquartered in Las Vegas but is run by executives connected to Jacksonville-based Fidelity. MBASCH@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
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independent contractor.” Alliger said Landstar contracts with about 400 drivers in California and the new law could limit the amount of business it does in the state. He said investors should monitor if other states pass similar laws. “While we do not take a view on the potential for similar laws to pass across the U.S., contractor laws remain an exogenous risk — both operationally and from a headline perspective,” he said. Alliger rated Landstar at “sell,” in part because of the risk but more because of pricing concerns in the trucking market. “We like Landstar’s longterm fundamentals, given it has a very solid asset-light business model with high returns and a proven track record, but where we currently sit in the macro cycle/brokerage market, we see better risk/ reward elsewhere,” he said.
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THE BASCH REPORT
Maple Street office could be moving north
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
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THE SAILER REPORT
Hutson’s bill seeks to boost affordable housing
SCOTT SAILER STAFF WRITER
Legislation would allow local government to approve affordable housing development on any property zoned residential, commercial or industrial. Florida Sen. Travis Hutson has filed legislation to change policy to promote affordable housing. Hutson, who represents District 7, filed Senate Bill 998 on Nov. 19 to allow local government to approve affordable housing development on any property zoned residential, commercial or industrial and allow the waiver of fees to make housing affordable. Hutson, who represents St. Johns, Flagler and the northern portion of Volusia counties, said Dec. 6 the goal is to better use Sadowski Trust Fund dollars by stimulating their use through policy changes. The William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund,
File image
Florida Sen. Travis Hutson represents St. Johns, Flagler and the northern portion of Volusia counties.
enacted in 1992 by the William E. Sadowski Act, receives money from a portion of the transfer fee on all real property transactions, intended solely for affordable housing. That has not been the case, Hutson said, as some of the money has been diverted for other purposes. “Looking at the Sadowski Trust Fund dollars, ultimately not 100% has been sent back down to the local government through the budgetary process. Let’s look at the policy side and see how we can stretch the dollars further,” he said. During the summer and fall, Hutson met with local government officials, Realtors, homebuilders who develop affordable housing, and rental assistance representatives to
gather ideas to make the system more flexible to be “able to spend the dollars more freely.” Hutson said that local government is required by statute to assess fees on developments equally, without the ability to waive fees for affordable housing projects. If the government wants to reduce fees for an affordable housing development, then the government needs to make up the difference from its own funds. The bill allows flexibility for local governments to pick and choose which fees, costs and utility connections they may want to exempt for a specific housing project defined as affordable housing, he said. The bill affects both new construction and rehabilitation.
He said a 1970s-era apartment complex that needs to be rehabilitated or a failed commercial shopping center could be converted into affordable housing. “We are going to preempt that scenario” of requiring rezoning and land use amendments, he said. “Local government cannot just say no because it is commercial. It promotes infill development,” Hutson said. The legislation allows residential, commercial or industrial-zoned parcels to be used for affordable housing as long as the development meets the local criteria for residential development, such as egress, parking, setbacks and landscaping. “The ability to say no is still there” by requiring residential development criteria, he said. The bill also requires local government to allow accessory dwelling units that will be rentable at an affordable rate in any residentially zoned area, to reduce restrictions and requirements for mobile homes, to revise and promote funding sources, and to give priority consideration for affordable developments, programs and incentives. Hutson said the current bill is comprehensive and the details need to be worked out. “It’s going to change 15 different times. We will be tweaking and defining as we go forward.” The next step is for a House sponsor in the Florida Legislature to support the bill.
“There were several interested but no one has hit the file button,” he said. “Without that being filed in the House we will have a problem making it become law.” Once filed, there would be three or four committee reviews on each side of the aisle. “After that we will sit down with all interested parties and work out the details for an amendment addressing 90% of the concerns on each specific issue,” Hutson said. “The goal is to keep moving it forward and have people understand that we have something that we all agree with. If we can’t agree, then the bill won’t go anywhere,” he said. Hutson said the House must file by Jan. 13, the start of the next session. Bills typically must be heard in the first committee in the first four weeks of the legislative session or they drop off. Hutson said if that happens, the bill can be modified and introduced in the next session. “This is a comprehensive bill. I have done this with other comprehensive bills, which have taken two to three years to come to fruition,” he said. “This is our first stab at it. While I am optimistic we will get pretty far, there is a possibility this may be a couple years to try and get it all worked out.” SSAILER@ JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
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The Marks Gray law firm has grown from three founders to more than 50 members, including about 20 attorneys, since it was established in Jacksonville in 1899.
THE MARBUT REPORT
Law firm celebrates 120 years of practice
Marks Gray was founded in 1899 in Jacksonville. At a private reception in November at its offices on the Southbank, Marks Gray, one of Jacksonville’s oldest law firms, celebrated 120 years of service to Northeast Florida’s corporations and industries. The firm recognized some of its longest standing members, including James Rinaman Jr., who practiced at the firm for 56 years before retirement. He was influential in many events and cases that shaped Jacksonville, including consolidation of the city and county governments in 1968. Retired members Vic Halbach was with the firm for 44 years and the late Frank Perritt was there for 46 years. The firm also celebrated those who joined immediately after graduation from law school: Jerry Weedon has been with the firm for 43 years. Nick Pulignano has been with the firm for 38 years. Bill Corley and Jep Barbour each have been with the firm 37 years. Giselle Carson has been with the firm 18 years and Tyler Oldenburg has been with Marks Gray for eight years. Tracing its origin to 1899 when attorney Richard Marks opened his office in Jacksonville, the firm has become one of Northeast Florida’s comprehensive business and corporate law firms. “We are proud to continue to serve as Jacksonville’s go-to firm for all things business,” said Frederick H. Kent III, shareholder and partner, in a news release. “We are honored to continue the legacy of our founders who were instrumental in building Jacksonville’s early business community after the Industrial Revolution,” Kent said. Richard P. Marks (1876-1942) was a U.S. attorney and a founder of Florida Title and Trust Co. He owned the only Duval County real estate records that survived the 1901 fire that destroyed most of Downtown. The files are preserved in Marks Gray’s archives. Sam Marks (1885-1973) helped organize and served as general counsel for Winn-Dixie Enterprises. He was the executor of the estate of Charles E. Mer-
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The Florida Bar Foundation is seeking applicants for seats on its board of directors for terms starting in July. Eighteen members of the board will be selected in equal portions by the state Supreme Court, The Florida Bar board of governors and the foundation’s board. Six of the 18 at-large seats will be for three-year terms beginning July 1. Applications for positions to be filled by the Supreme Court and the Bar Foundation can be completed at TheFloridaBarFoundation.org/ board. They also may be requested by calling The Florida Bar Foundation at (800) 541-2195. Completed applications must be received by the Foundation by Feb. 1. The Florida Bar will give separate notice for the positions to be filled by its board of governors.
phone: 904-908-2874 • vystarcu.org
Legal notes n Stefano Portigliatti of Coker Law in Jacksonville was voted into the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Attorneys. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Portigliatti graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2013. n Also at Coker Law, Seth Roebuck joined the firm and will focus his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury law. A graduate of Florida State University and Florida Coastal School of Law, he was admitted to The Florida Bar in September. MMARBUT@JAXDAILYRECORD.COM (904) 356-2466
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MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
rill, a founder of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., whose successor remains a client of the firm. Harry Gray (1890-1975) was a leading commercial and tort defense trial lawyer. He drafted Florida’s first workers’ compensation law in the early 1930s and was general counsel for the Florida Board of Architecture and the Florida Medical Association for nearly 50 years. Gray was president of the Jacksonville Bar Association in 1935 and the Association of Insurance Attorneys in 1963 and was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. During 120 years of practice, Marks Gray attorneys have been president of the Jacksonville Bar Association and president of The Florida Bar. Several have been appointed and elected judges. Since Richard Marks opened his office in Jacksonville in 1899, the firm has grown to more than 50 employees with more than 20 attorneys.
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OWN OUR BEAUTIFUL MODEL HOME IN THE COLONY AT TWENTY MILE – 60’ Don’t delay… Now is your opportunity to own the beautiful David Weekley model home, The San Vincente, in The Colony at Twenty Mile – 60’. Make your dreams a reality by purchasing this one-of-a-kind home featuring an array of luxurious options: • 2,820 sq. ft., 1 Story • 4 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 2-car Garage • Spacious, open floor plan • Oversized kitchen with abundant cabinet storage, double oven and five-burner cooktop • Luxurious Outdoor Living Space • Designer furniture and accessories available for purchase
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