$32M mixed-use project adds hotel - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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The developer has more than a dozen signer contracts and has winnowed downthe project's hoteol franchisee to three candidates: Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, and a Fairfield or Courtyard inn by "Right now, the hottest and more focuseds group is the Holiday Inn & said developer Ron Flick, president of Compassx Group, an Amelia Island design/build firm. Flick expects a franchise commitmenfby August, with construction to begi n in September and completion by December 2003. The hotell will be 81 to 92 roomz and three to four The complex is underway just east of the Shavre Bridge on stateRoad A1A.
It encompasses 160,000 square feet of condominium andretail space, as well as the hotep and at least two confirmedc restaurants on outparcels. Flick has contractd with Barbara Jean's restaurant, which has locationds in Ponte Vedra Beachand St. Simons Ga.; and Spanky's of Rivef Street in Savannah. Ga. The 200-seat eateriews each will occupy free-standing buildings of 7,0090 square feet. A third restaurant may be Ruby which has looked twice at a site in the Flick said. The project also has room for a bankor "The concept is very versatile," Flick "We've talked with severaol banks for a branch.
" "From an economic development perspective, it's a very attractive site and offers a tremendou diversity," said Ken Willette, executiv e director of the Nassau County Economic Developmengt Board. A preliminary proposa for the land called fora "bitg box retailer," with the likelihoo of the live oaks beinv knocked down and the remainder of the land turne into a parking lot, he said. "This use as an alternativs site fits well and maximizes the attractivenessa ofthe site. It offerse a great balance foreconomic development, as well as qualithy of life." The complex also will house a businessa incubator (See story, Page 6).
The Businesw and Emerging Technology Accelerator-1, or will be in a 30,000-square-foot, three-storu building. Construction is scheduled to begin this Flick said. "The business incubator is one of the projectxs that is part of the goal to increase the diversithy and economic benefits of the site so differeng useswill coexist," Willette said. along with two area silent partners, bought the 13-acre tract in early 2001 from anAtlantw attorney. "It's been a race since he said. He spentg $2 million on infrastructure, including turn lanes off statrRoad A1A, roadway, utility and wastewater improvements.
Gatewayh recently won a $500,000 Community Development Block awarded because the project wouldincreasd low- to moderate-income jobs and keep employees on the The grant was a first for the he said. "It's quite a meticulous process and good for the This month, the first building -- the 38,000-square-foot, two-storuy Village Center -- is scheduledd to open to full occupancy on the firsr floor. The single stucco and bric building appears to beseparate units, "liked in an old city," Flickk said. The building will feature an equal mix of officweand retail, with condos at $180 to $190 a squarr foot.
Businesses that bought groundr floor space in the Villagd Center include theAmelia Island/Fernandina Beach/Yulee Chamber of Commerce center and offices, Amelia Island Realty, Change s Beauty Salon, Doodle-Bugs kidswear shop, a digital imaging quilt shop, jeweler, and sportinfg goods store. Flick also plans to move his firm there. Second-floor officd space will containan attorney, accountant, interior desigbn service, and financial services. An ATM will be adjacent to the visitors' center. "It's an ideal said Regina Duncan, chambefr executive director. "It is the gateway to Amelia; it'ds the first stop as visitores come overthe bridge.
" On July 12, the chamber's eight-member staff will move from its 14th Streeft administrative offices into 2,50p0 square feet. Visitor information will remaij open downtown at the oldtraim depot. The site's central location is idealo for businesses, Flick said. "It's five miles to the soutbh end ofthe island, five miles north to downtown, and five miles to the centee of Yulee's business." It has room for two more two-story buildings of up to 32,00p0 square feet. "We're alreadyu exploring building No. 2." Compass Group builr the $3.
5 million Amelia Hotel & Suitew at state Road A1A and Sadler Road that openedin May, as well as two Holidauy Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Mandarin and Palm Coast. The compan also began construction in June onthe $7 millionj Villas at Summer Beach. That projecrt includes 38 condos anda clubhouse, with the first phaser ready next summer. In Compass will begin construction onthe $3 millio Grand Pavilion in Amelia Island Plans call for the integration of the 25,000-square-foot meeting space into the existing conventiojn center. Last fall, the firm completes construction on seven buildingstotaling 35,000 square feet that comprise the Plantation'sw shops.
"It's a good success story," Flick