The first piece of the unfinished Berkman Plaza II structure came down July 15, the initial step in a demolition process that’s expected to take three to four months.
Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization LLC co-managing member Park Beeler said in the next few days, demolition crews will inspect the high-reach excavator before resuming demolition next week on the 500 E. Bay St. structure.
Mechanical issues with the machinery delayed the demolition on July 9.
Pece of Mind Environmental Inc., the demolition contractor, needed replacement parts for the excavator.
Demolition crews have been clearing and preparing the site for demolition for the past two months.
Debris will be removed from the site throughout the demolition process, Beeler said.
Although the traditional method of demolition will take longer than an implosion, District 7 City Council member Reggie Gaffney said it is the safest method. The building has been vacant since 2007, following the collapse of a parking garage that killed one and injured others.
“One of the things the administration and myself wanted to make sure didn’t happen was that no more accidents happen here,” he said in a news conference at the site. “This is why the process is taking so long and going so slow.”
Gaffney said seeing the building come down is “the first step in the right direction.”
“I’m not going to be satisfied until it’s gone,” Gaffney said. “After that, we’re going to rejoice together.”
Beeler’s group will submit its plans for the property “soon” to the Downtown Development Review Board.
They intend to redevelop the property with 300 multifamily units, retail and public park space.
Beeler said he’s heard from apartment and hotel developers that are interested in being part of the project. His group is also having conversations with several specialty grocers to fill the retail space.
“People have been watching Jacksonville for a long time and now all of the sudden something’s happening and they’re coming out of the woodwork,” he said.
Beeler said that he will likely apply for incentives from the city, but would do so following DDRB approval and once there’s a better idea of the project cost. It’s currently estimated to cost between $130 million and $150 million.
Gaffney said he would ask Mayor Lenny Curry and fellow Council members “to partner with them so we can continue to make this something special.”
Jacksonville Riverfront Revitalization still does not have the deed for the building.
“We have not recorded the deed because the city still has a demolition order on the building,” Beeler said.
If the city does not remove the demolition order, Beeler said his group would likely file a lawsuit to do so.
