As part of its efforts to add more commercial activity downtown, the city is looking to lease space on the ground floor of the Ed Ball Building.
The city-owned building at 214 N. Hogan St. has a Quizno's and The Brick Coffee House, but the rest of the ground level retail space is quiet.
This is something the city hopes to change to not only build off the catalytic movement already underway in downtown, but also to activate Hogan Street retail space as the Emerald Trail will run through the main thoroughfare.
Signs have been installed on windows of corner space in the building along Hogan and Adams streets, advertising space for lease.
The corner space is approximately 1,582 square feet and could be either retail or food and beverage.
Activating space in the government building follows the Downtown Investment Authority's business investment and development plan.
“Leasing the retail space in the Ed Ball Building advances BID plan goal number three by increasing and diversifying downtown’s food, beverage and retail options," DIA CEO Colin Tarbert said in a statement to the Business Journal. "Activating this corner of Hogan and Adams supports our mission to create a more vibrant, walkable downtown and complements the Emerald Trail.”
This space joins one adjacent to the Quizno's, the former site of Knotts & Co. Jewelers, which the city has listed as well. This space has approximately 1,200 square feet, including 456 square feet of either office, storage or kitchen space.
Both spots could be eligible for DIA incentives like those for retail enhancement and stand-alone sidewalk cafes.
By Leah Foreman, Commercial Real Estate Reporter
Jacksonville Business Journal