Developer Cross Regions Group is moving forward with plans for The Fountains at Westside, a mixed-use development planned in West Jacksonville.
The St. Johns River Water Management District is reviewing plans submitted May 28 for the 26.21-acre project.
The property is at southeast Lane Avenue and Ramona Boulevard, off Interstate 10, at the former Westside Plaza.
Cross Regions is the developer of the 100-acre The Fountains at Saint Johns mixed-use development at County Road 210 West and Interstate 95.
President and CEO David Ergisi said the Westside project will be similar, bringing retail, restaurants, health care and hospitality to the area.
It will developed over “multiple phases” starting with the renovation of an existing 36,000-square-foot building at the site where Office Depot operates.
Kimley-Horn Jacksonville is the civil engineer.
“We’re going to bring a very modern and unique design that is going to enhance not only the project, but the entire area,” Ergisi said.
He said he is in talks with potential tenants that are “desperately needed in the area” for the first phase, but declined to disclose who’s been approached.
At build-out, Ergisi said the project will include up to about 100,000 square feet of retail space. Outparcels “will bring in key niche users that are needed in the marketplace,” including restaurants.
“It’s amazing how much demand there is in that area,” he said.
At the southern end of the property, Ergisi is exploring senior living, multifamily housing, a hotel and a medical office.
Previous tenants at the site include The Home Depot and Piccadilly Cafeteria. The Home Depot relocated, and the building later became Johnson’s Family Flea and Farmers Market. Both it and the former Piccadilly structure were demolished.
Cross Regions, through Fountains at Westside LLC, purchased the site in four parcels Dec. 23 for about $9.8 million.
The seller was Jacksonville-based Grace & Co. Inc.
A Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q restaurant on an outparcel was not included in the sale.
“Fountains at Westside is sizable enough where we can make a similar impact in this section of the city that we have in St. Johns County,” Ergisi said. “This our opportunity to enhance an area of the city that is not functioning the way it should. It’s extremely rewarding.”
Ergisi said construction on all parcels is expected to be underway within the next three years, with the first phase beginning in the next 120 days, pending permitting.