New chapter for Berkman II
Settlement allows contractors to proceed
The Berkman II on the Northbank riverfront has turned into Jacksonville’s biggest tease.
The naked, partially built high rise has resisted all comers, who have promised to turn the site into hotel, retail, residential, even a family entertainment center.
And it has resisted the wrecking ball. Demolition has been scheduled four times. Attempts to implode the structure were abandoned in favor of mechanical deconstruction, a slower process that posed fewer hazards to nearby buildings.
But the contractor, Pece of Mind Environmental Inc. of Orlando, stopped work last August because of safety issues and a dispute with the property owner, PB Riverfront Revitalization of Jacksonville LLC, over unpaid bills.
Pece told the city the weakened structure could become a danger in an extreme weather event if winds exceeded 130 mph.
The city intervened. The mayor sought an emergency resolution for $1.2 million in funding for the demolition from the City Council, citing public safety.
PB Riverfront Revitalization challenged the request before the Zoning Compliance Board and reached a settlement with the city.
Pece of Mind Environmental will try again at 10 a.m. March 6 to implode the building. “The @CityofJax recently took control of the demolition process and does not anticipate any further delays,” Mayor Lenny Curry tweeted.
The adjacent Plaza Condominiums at Berkman Plaza and Marina must be protected from flying debris from the implosion. And the whole area, including the jail and Maxwell House Coffee, are vulnerable to the dust cloud.
If and when the cavernous eyesore comes down, it will close a 14-year chapter and open another.
Berkman II was mean to be a 22-story condominium, the twin of its neighbor. But in 2007, the collapse of the parking garage that killed one worker and injured two dozen others, brought a stop to construction.
In 2018, Robert Ohde of Wisconsin bought the property for $4.8 million with plans to build a 340-room hotel, water park, Ferris wheel and parking garage. But Ohde ran into financial difficulties and abandoned the project.
Park Beeler, managing member of PB Riverfront Revitalization, said when the building comes down, site preparation will get underway. PB Riverfront Revitalization will make its presentations to the Downtown Development Review Board and the Downtown Investment Authority.
When they sign off, Beeler said he expects permitting to take about six months and construction could begin before the end of the year.
PB Riverfront Revitalization plans to build multifamily residential with first-floor retail that will wrap around the building. The retail is expected to include a restaurant and grocery story. An adjacent tower could be condos, apartments, hotel, or a combination, Beeler said.
The riverfront part of the project will have public green space between the building and the Riverwalk.
By Lilla Ross
Resident Community News
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