A.G. Gancarski
Those who have seen Jacksonville grow over the decades have seen Florida State College at Jacksonville grow with it. A few decades back, Florida Junior College was a sleepy two-year school, used primarily as a feeder into the University of North Florida’s upper division offerings. Jacksonville has grown, and FSCJ has grown with it. A four-year school now, the institution is increasingly fulfilling the undergraduate needs of its students. And with that, comes refinement of processes.
A review of public records emails shows that FSCJ has begun preliminary talks with members of the Lenny Curry administration regarding a Downtown Immersion project, which would serve many purposes for the main campus.
In addition to fulfilling needs for FSCJ’s first-time student housing initiative, the Downtown Immersion project would also encompass the new Center for Civic Engagement, a Culinary Center and Art Series office in the heart of Jacksonville’s downtown. FSCJ advocates think it could address social issues such as literacy, hunger and mental health, and provide mentoring and business incubation.
According to the email, Daniel Davis of the Jacksonville Chamber is on board with the project that FSCJ thinks could be a “win-win” for the new administration and the school.
The current proposal includes two buildings.
One building in West Church Street, four blocks from the downtown campus, would require $4.8 million for acquisition and renovation to be used as student housing. To offset the cost, FSCJ seeks $2 million in support from the Downtown Investment Authority, $75,000 from COJ Retail Reinvestment fund, and Historical Preservation Trust grants of an unspecified sum.
The five-story building has a usable roof and could accommodate 40 to 50 residential units.
A second building, across the street from the Church Street property on Hogan Street, is for sale for $550,000.
“By procuring 502 N. Hogan, FSCJ would gain an additional 18,789 SF and 28 parking spaces to be used as FSCJ Culinary enterprise and office/meeting space for FSCJ Center for Civic Engagement. The front portion of this building is currently functioning as a deli/restaurant (facing Hogan), with the remaining space unused and in need of renovation. The FSCJ Complex – containing Student Housing, Culinary enterprise, and Center for Civic Engagement – would be situated steps from City Hall, MOCA-Jax, Hemming Plaza, Sweet Pete’s and the Main Branch of the Public Library,” according to the PDF from FSCJ attached to the email.
It is possible, continues the email, that a “much larger” location could be needed. However, this is the current proposal.
As Jacksonville continues its efforts to create a vibrant downtown, it’s very possible that FSCJ expansion could be part of the seemingly perpetual reboot. Expect a meeting between FSCJ and Curry administration officials in the coming weeks; the proposal has been forwarded to Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa.
We have reached out to the Curry administration for comment, expect updates when it’s received.
