While many city councils are raising their hackles at student housing proposals, others are welcoming them with open arms. Jacksonville, Florida, the largest city by land mass in the United States, has officially opened its downtown area to student living. The Downtown Investment Authority board approved a $600,000 zero-interest historic preservation grant for the conversion of a vacant, six-story building into apartments for students at Florida State College Jacksonville (FSCJ).
The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) has helped the city’s rejuvenation turn to corner from good intentions to actionable solutions, with the approval of student housing marking yet another decisive move. And it’s easy to see how new collegiate housing could fit in the city’s overall revitalization project.
With new plans approved 6-0, the completion of the project would mark the first official student housing to open downtown.
Unlike other communities that loath the thought of rowdy students and overcrowding, stakeholders in Jacksonville might welcome the arrival of students into what was until recently a dilapidated area.
“I think it’s magical for our community,” FSCJ President Cynthia Bioteau told The Florida Times Union.
First and foremost, the century-old Lerner Building will be restored, not only with brick and mortar, but with energy and life. It’s a walkable distance from campus, so students will add pedestrian traffic to downtown store fronts. Finally, it moves FSCJ off campus and into the community, where the 50-year-old growing institution can share some of its youthful support.
The 60-bed development will likely be filled by the increasing number of international students promised housing by FSCJ. The building is owned by former NFL player Eugene Profit, who will be financing the multi-million dollar renovation prior to leasing the space to FSCJ.
Plans currently include a ground floor restaurant run by students of FSCJ’s culinary school.
The bid to bring housing to the Lerner Building is a joint effort by FSCJ and former NFL player Eugene Profit, who owns the building and will be doing the multi-million dollar renovation. The city loan is to cover potential shortages that might cause the school to miss payments on their lease.
Equal Housing Opportunity
