The city is reviewing a building-permit application for Panda Express Chinese Kitchen to renovate the space in the Brooklyn area of Downtown vacated in May by Bento Asian Kitchen & Sushi.
Candito Construction of Acworth, Georgia, is the contractor for the estimated $500,000 project for the restaurant at 50 Riverside Ave. in Brooklyn Place.
Plans indicate 62 indoor seats and none outside.
City utility JEA is reviewing a service availability determination request for the project, described as a 2,650-square-foot restaurant.
CPH Inc. is the architect and civil engineer.
The space is in a three-tenant building also leased by Chop Barbershop and Chipotle.
Candito and CPH also are working on the retrofit of the closed Pollo Tropical in the Regency area into a 3,785-square-foot Panda Express at 9370 Atlantic Blvd. Plans indicate 68 inside seats and a drive-thru, but no outdoor seating.
The Ferber Co. of Ponte Vedra Beach is the landlord for both the Brooklyn and Regency properties.
Rosemead, California-based Panda Restaurant Group is the parent company of Panda Express, a family-owned Asian dining concept.
Throughout Northeast Florida, Panda Express has at least 15 locations, including at the University of North Florida and at Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport.