New designs for RD River City Brewery Mixed-Use Gain Conceptual Approval from DDRB
The Related Group has submitted new design plans for the site of the former River City Brewing Company.
In March, The Resident reported that Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) terminated its development agreement with the Miami-based developer. In the March article, DIA CEO Lori Boyer explained the agreement ended because of the developer’s failure to “meet performance schedule deadlines in the contract and all extensions allowed under the contract had been provided.”
Though that agreement and its incentives was terminated, The Related Group still plans to develop the property, which was cleared last summer in anticipation of incoming construction. Its new plans were presented at an April 13 Downtown Development Review Board (DDRB) meeting for conceptual approval.
The original designs featured an eight-story residential complex with 333 units, an attached parking garage and an on-site restaurant adjacent to the St. Johns River Park and Friendship Fountain.
According to the April 13 DDRB agenda packet, the new designs propose 410 multi-family units. It still includes an eight-story residential building, abutting Museum Circle, but also proposes a riverfront residential tower of approximately 24 stories “with a parking deck interior and wrapped by the complex.” It outlines an estimated 4,559 square feet for a riverfront restaurant along with outdoor seating and a “pool/courtyard area.”
The Related Group declined to comment on these new designs.
In an e-mail, Boyer wrote, “We’re pleased that Related Group remains committed to Downtown Jacksonville and has come back with this upscaled and redesigned plan. While the change in design has delayed completion of the project, it provides both greater density on a smaller parcel and a larger waterfront restaurant – both highly desirable changes consistent with our Downtown master plan. As the project enters the approval process, we’re hopeful that it will prove to be mutually beneficial for Related, Downtown Jacksonville and the entire community, and that we will see construction begin quickly on the site.”
The DDRB unanimously granted conceptual approval for the new designs at the April 13 meeting.
The project’s design team includes MSA Architects, Carlos Ott Architect and landscape architect and engineer GAI Consultants.
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
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