The Downtown Development Review Board gave the final OK for the multifamily design of One Riverside, the proposed replacement of the former Florida Times-Union site in Brooklyn.
The board voted 5-0 on Dec. 16 to approve the 270-apartment first-phase project by Atlanta-based Fuqua Development LCC and TriBridge Residential.
Fuqua Development proposes a $182.2 million residential/retail multiphase project on 18.84 acres at 1 Riverside Ave. along the St. Johns River that will include a new city park bordering a restored McCoys Creek.
The board’s decision will allow TriBridge to break ground on the two multifamily buildings and eight-level, 626-space parking garage.
TriBridge Partner Katherine Mosley noted during the meeting that the board’s staff summary underreported the garage size and capacity.
The first phase residential designs also show a 3,000-square-foot riverfront restaurant, residential pool and a standalone amenity building.
The developer presented several design changes Dec. 16 that the board required for final approval.
TriBridge added towers to the corners of the parking garage to make the architecture mesh better with the apartment design.
Mosley said the development team also addressed the board’s concerns about pedestrian safety and park access.
The final plans include 10-foot sidewalks on the west side of Leila Street, a 12-foot sidewalk leading from the Riverwalk to the park, and 10 parking spaces designated for the park.
Mosley also reassured the board that TriBridge was exploring planting systems and plant varieties for the green wall planned for the first two levels of the garage to ensure it is sustainable.
Board member Joe Loretta said the design was “a great finish” to the board’s previous concerns with the project.
“Candidly, this is a fantastic project,” Loretta said.
“Overall between architecture, hardscape, landscape and everything of that nature, I’m not sure we’ve seen too many better in the past seven years I’ve been on the board.”
Board members Matt Brockelman, J. Brent Allen, Christian Harden and Frederick Jones were absent for the vote.
The board’s review did not include the retail space planned for the first phase that is being led by Fuqua and anchored by a 23,256- to 38,750-square-foot grocery store, plans show.
One Riverside’s second phase comprises two mixed-use buildings along the restored creek with about 15,000 square feet of retail space; a riverfront restaurant; a multifamily residential building with 125 units; and parking.
That phase would not break ground until at least 2025.
Prosser Inc. is the civil engineering consultant and Orlando-based architectural and planning firm Dwell Design Studio is working on the project.
Jacksonville law firm Driver, McAfee, Hawthorne & Diebenow represents the Fuqua/TriBridge developer team on the project.
The city will own and maintain the park, with submerged lands in the St. Johns River.
Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer said Fuqua plans to complete the purchase in January from the Morris family of Augusta, Georgia.
The board’s design approval comes as Prosser is working on a permit application to demolish the almost 55-year-old former Times-Union office and production plant at an estimated $1 million.
City Council approved a $31.59 million incentives package for the redevelopment Nov. 23. The legislation says the project will have 50,000 square feet of retail in total.
