VyStar Credit Union applied to the city for a permit to renovate the breezeway at its Downtown headquarters campus at a cost of $1.62 million.
The Jacksonville-based financial institution bought the block comprising the 76 S. Laura St. VyStar Tower, the 100 W. Bay St. building and a parking structure and is reconstructing the breezeway between them.
Renderings show the breezeway from West Bay Street through to Independent Drive with planters, sidewalk, hardscape space and an outdoor seating area.
The seating will tie in to The Bread & Board, which is building-out a restaurant and food marketplace on the ground floor of the 100 W. Bay St. building.
VyStar said previously it anticipated opening the breezeway project by mid-2021.
Sandy Baker, vice president of communications and public relations, said by email Aug. 31 that construction should start in the fourth quarter this year.
Dana B. Kenyon Co. is the contractor. RS&H Inc. is the architect, and Universal Engineering Sciences is providing code compliance review
Work is underway to prepare for construction.
The breezeway will replace the existing alley that is used for pedestrian traffic and parking use between the garage and the buildings.
VyStar President and CEO Brian Wolfburg said previously that he expects to create indoor and exterior amenities for VyStar employees, including sculptures; pop-up retail, like farmers markets; and other features, including at the food truck court along Hogan Street.
VyStar bought the tower and garage in July 2018 and the West Bay Street building in February 2019.
The credit union renovated the 23-story tower and is completing renovations of the seven-floor West Bay Street building for a campus to house its corporate headquarters and about 1,000 employees.
