Long-overdue demolition of Berkman II begins
After sitting unfinished and vacant for more than a decade, the Berkman Plaza II tower demolition commenced on July 15.
The first piece of the building finally came down after the demolition process was delayed due to mechanical issues with the machinery. The demolition contractor, Pece of Mind Environmental Inc., said that it is using a high-reach excavator to bring down the structure. The specialized piece of equipment can reach to the top of the building and cut it apart in pieces.
During a press conference, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry shared his excitement about the demolition. “We are now taking the big step of removing that eyesore. A step that I hesitated to take for years.”
As Curry indicated, this is a much-anticipated event for the city – the building at 500 Bay Street has remained untouched and unfinished for 13 years. Situated on the Downtown Northbank of the St. Johns River, the 18-story building originally was conceived as a residential tower. The Berkman Plaza II suffered a series of setbacks starting in 2007 with the collapse of a parking garage during construction. The collapse killed a construction worker and left 21 others injured.
New owner Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization LLC purchased the property for $5.6 million. During an April 28 news conference, development group co-manager Park Beeler and city officials presented plans for a 320,000-square-foot mixed-use residential project with a grocery store anchor. Beeler said the plan will cost around $135 million.
The developer said that it has met with the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) to discuss the design and is working to submit design documents to the Downtown Development Review Board.
The demolition contractor expects the process to take three to four months. While this is a longer method of demolition,
District 7 City Council member Reggie Gaffney said it is the safest method. At a press conference at the site he said, “One of the things the administration and myself wanted to make sure didn’t happen was that no more accidents happen here. This is why the process is taking so long and going so slow.”
The new plans for the Berkman II come at a time of change and renewal for the Riverfront. In 2019 the former Jacksonville Landing marketplace was demolished after being open for 32 years. Recently, Perkins & Will won the Riverfront Plaza design competition with its plans to redevelop the plaza with a beer garden, a hotel, a play area and a 151-foot stainless steel “Jax” sculpture designed by artist, Jefrë.
By Susannah Parmenter
Resident Community News
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