JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The future of three historic buildings in downtown Jacksonville is up in the air.
At a meeting with the project's developers Thursday, city council members couldn't agree to move forward with the deal as it's currently proposed.
City Council did vote to allow the Downtown Investment Authority to be involved in the project. There will be a public hearing on the bill at the city council meeting next Tuesday.
Councilman Matt Carlucci is sponsoring the legislation, but some of his colleagues aren't as confident with the specifics of the deal. The buildings on Laura Street and Forsyth Street sit empty and in disrepair, but they weren't always like that.
After the Great Fire of 1901, they used to be bustling businesses. Now they’ve been vacant for decades. Now, Carlucci said this project is different than any other and has the ability to revive downtown.
"These three buildings, the more they stay vacant like that, the more it's costing the city because other development doesn't necessarily want to come in, in an area that looks unoccupied and without any vibrancy to it,” Carlucci said.
Many of his colleagues support the effort but have questions about financing, bids and construction plans.
Councilman Nick Howland said he wasn’t ready to vote yes on the whole bill.
"I think it is imprudent for us as city leaders to take action on anything without certainty and clarity and consensus," Howland said.
After hearing the concerns, Carlucci decided to withdraw his request for an emergency vote on the entire bill. He said these details will get figured out, but he wants there to be a greater sense of urgency surrounding the restoration.
"We can't keep putting it off and off and off," Carlucci said. “We have got to find a way to get it done. If we really love Jacksonville, if we really want to see this city have a ripple effect in the core that is positive and not negative."
Carlucci's vision is to put affordable housing, a four-star hotel and an upscale restaurant there.
"This is where the heart is located, and the Laura Street Trio is the actual heart, and when that starts pumping, again, it'll be pumping blood and money and economic opportunities and jobs out into the surrounding areas of our downtown core."