Developer Alex Sifakis says neighbors around College Park in Arlington told his group that they wanted more food options at the shopping center.
So that’s what JWB Real Estate Capital intends to provide, including a supermarket, as it redevelops the 68-year-old retail plaza at northeast University Boulevard and Arlington Expressway.
“We’re bringing a grocery store back to the center,” Alex Sifakis, JWB president, told the JAX Chamber Arlington Council on July 28.
A property leasing brochure says the store will open in the second quarter of 2022.
While Sifakis would not identify the company, it would lease space previously occupied by Winn-Dixie.
For food options, Sifakis also talked about the shipping container food court and entertainment complex that will be built on-site, next to new apartments.
He said those food tenants are to be determined. JWB also wants to bring restaurants to the inline center.
JWB is redeveloping the former Town & Country Shopping Center at 903 University Blvd. N. at an estimated $25 million.
Through 903 University Blvd LLC, JWB paid almost $5.1 million for the 18.27-acre property in August 2019.
The community response has been “incredibly positive,” Sifakis said.
“People are finally seeing it come to fruition,” he said. “They want to see some action over there. So do we.”
The 188,880-square-foot center is 45% occupied, not counting the grocery center space leased for storage.
When the grocery store moves in, occupancy rises to 72%.
Colliers International Senior Director Matthew Clark is the leasing agent.
Site work has begun, following the first sign of new life – the mural facing the Arlington Expressway. Jacksonville artists created the eight-panel mural on the side of the building facing the expressway in early 2020.
The city approved a permit June 17 for Reliant Roofing Inc. to re-roof the center at a cost of $1 million.
Sifakis said JWB Real Estate Capital will start work on a new facade this year. The city is reviewing a permit application for a $4.5 million renovation of the exterior. ShayCore LLC is shown as the contractor.
Colliers’ brochure says property improvements that will be completed in the first quarter of 2022 are the facade redesign, parking lot and landscape improvements, ADA compliance and upgraded LED lighting systems.
In addition to the renovated retail center and the containers, JWB Real Estate Capital will develop 82 market-rate apartments among two three-story buildings in the parking lot corner at the expressway and University Boulevard.
Sifakis expects the facade, parking lot and signage work will take eight to 12 months, followed by another six to 12 months for the apartments and food court.
The largest current tenants include Dollar General, Advance Auto Parts, DaVita and Legacy Ministries. McDonald’s and a service station on the site are separately owned.
JWB Real Estate Capital has been working with the city to redevelop the center.
The property is part of the Renew Arlington Community Redevelopment Area, which the city hopes to assist with rejuvenation.
That area generally runs along University Boulevard from the Arlington Expressway north to Merrill Road, then east along Merrill to Interstate 295.
In June, the Renew Arlington Community Redevelopment Agency board approved an almost $1.31 million code compliance grant as well as a $2 million infrastructure development grant payable up to $400,000 annually over five years.
The agency is offering assistance to help owners meet new commercial property design standards to combat blight in Arlington.
Sifakis previously estimated it will cost about $1.4 million to bring College Park’s landscaping, buffers and fencing into compliance.
In June, the Jacksonville City Council voted 18-0 to rezone the property to Planned Unit Development.
A description of the project by engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. dated Feb. 19 calls the existing strip mall dilapidated.
“This project is expected to help encourage reinvestment and redevelopment within this area of Arlington,” the description says.
“It has been many years since this area has had this type of investment and revitalization. The goal of this PUD is to develop a viable mixed-use project while meeting the desire of the (Arlington Community Redevelopment Agency) to bring investment into the area.”
The JAX Chamber Arlington Council panel included Margaret Dees, Jacksonville University senior vice president of economic development and external engagement, and District 1 City Council member Joyce Morgan.
JU, based at Merrill Road and University Boulevard, has been a key player in the Renew Arlington effort.
Sifakis said previously that the College Park name seemed to fit with JU, which is less than 2 miles north.
Attorney and Arlington resident Lindsey Brock moderated the discussion, held at Celebration Church in Regency Park.
Renew Arlington and Morgan also are working on transportation improvements along the corridors.
Morgan said it took time for Sifakis’ group to start the College Park project after buying the property because of the city and Renew Arlington approval process.
“It did take a little while to get that, but we work closely with him. And that’s the commitment to all of our business owners in the CRA to make sure they’re getting what they want, what they need and what’s going to be good for the whole because it has to work for the entire community,” Morgan said.
Sifakis said that even though it took a while to work through it, “in the long run, our project was much better off for it, and that whole corridor will be much better off for it.”
He said the University Boulevard and Merrill Road corridors will be “dramatically improved” in three to five years.
