Private/Public Partnerships

Proton Beam Therapy Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville
IGS developed the concept of creating special legislation that allowed the City of Jacksonville to issue Enterprise-Zone Bonds to assist economic-development projects within the designated enterprise zone. The city council adopted this measure, allowing the city to issue $18-million in bonds to loan to the Proton Therapy Center for the construction of this groundbreaking technology in cancer treatment.

Broadway Project, Louisville
IGS managed this $720-million redevelopment project covering 42.3 acres in downtown Louisville. The mixed-use, multi-phase project included commercial, retail and residential space. The Crescent Center was the 200-unit market-rate residential component of the project.

San Juan, Puerto Rico Urban Development
IGS helped secure a U.S. HUD Urban Revitalization Demonstration Hope VI grant for this $200-million economic and housing-development program. In addition, IGS was responsible for implementing the economic-development component of this project to revitalize the “New Gateway to San Juan.”

Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Kings Avenue Development, Jacksonville
Working for the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), IGS successfully negotiated a transit-oriented development next to a 1600-space JTA parking facility in downtown Jacksonville. The JTA leased approximately two acres to a private development company to construct a mixed-unit facility consisting initially of 220 hotel rooms. The hotel utilizes the parking facility connected to an Automated Skyway Express station for easy access to downtown Jacksonville. The JTA receives revenue from the land-lease agreement and for use of the garage facility. The development group reduced development expenses significantly by locating on the JTA property.

Downtown Jacksonville Redevelopment Projects
IGS coordinated projects that created more than $1 billion in downtown development for Jacksonville, Florida. The projects are primarily related to business or entertainment and include:

• Prudential Insurance Company’s South Central Headquarters
• Barnett Tower
• The First Union Building
• The BellSouth Building
• The Omni Hotel
• The Jacksonville Landing, a $32-million riverfront marketplace
• The St. Johns River Southbank Riverwalk, a 1-mile linear park
• Water Street Parking Garage
• Arena Parking Garage
• Ballpark Parking Garage
• Courthouse Parking Garage
• River City Brewing Co
• Stein Mart building
• Chart House Restaurant
• Hampton Inn Hotel
• Marriott Courtyard Hotel
• Convention Center

Jacksonville Beach Redevelopment Agency
IGS directed the agency and managed the revitalization plans for the Jacksonville Beach oceanfront area and a 335-acre area in the southern part of the city. Completed projects include the $28-million mixed-use Power Center Development, the South Beach Regional Shopping Center and the Rip Tide single-family residential neighborhood.

Economic Development Consulting

St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority
The St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) engaged IGS to perform a strategic organizational assessment to develop a clear path to achieving their goals for the next ten years. The IDA wanted to know the best way to move forward as an organization, how to best communicate about their services to businesses and improve processes.

Over the span of four months in 2010 and early 2011, IGS worked to understand how the IDA worked with the County government and other stakeholders, engaged in one-on-one interviews, analyzed relevant data, performed a SWOT analysis, held workshops with stakeholders and presented findings. Greater cooperation and communication between the IDA, County and the St. Johns County Chamber was a primary goal of the project. The project was highly interactive with IGS acting as a facilitator of open and honest discussions.

The IDA is very pleased with the results of the Strategic Organizational Assessment and there interactions with IGS staff. These included correcting miscommunications between the IDA and the County, creating a new image and identity for the IDA, and eliminating certain weaknesses in process.

Jacksonville Aviation Authority
IGS performed a market analysis for JAA properties at Jacksonville International Airport and Cecil Field. We also identified historical trends, land supply and land values of industrial properties in Jacksonville. The study analyzed market demand for JAA’s non-aviation land holdings. IGS also served as consultant for the establishment of the Jacksonville International Airport Community Redevelopment Area and provided regulatory development services regarding a City of Jacksonville ordinance revision addressing development around JAA airports. IGS has addressed the JAA’s approach to targeted new industry and provided counsel to structure financing and other policies to grow business. The JAA established the JIA CRA because of the guidance provided by IGS. This then led to the development of the Tradeport and the Woodwings Development Order. The advisement services of IGS also led to the development of much of the JAA property surrounding JIA.

Company Assistance
Over the years, IGS has assisted many companies with their relocation and expansion needs leading to the creation of thousands of jobs. IGS assisted Rayonier with its corporate relocation from New York City to Jacksonville, negotiating incentives and best site options. IGS spearheaded the expansion of Advantus, a manufacturer of specialty office products. Funding received from the Northwest Area Infrastructure Grant and Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) program provided assistance for a total of $550,000 and a QTI Program for tax refunds. IGS led the way to the $16-million expansion of Shaw’s Southern Belle Frozen Foods, Inc. with funding assistance from the Small Business Development Initiative Grant from the Northwest Economic Development Fund and Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) program assistance for a total of $770,000. IGS assisted Vistakon Vision Products, a Division of Johnson & Johnson, Inc., with its $245-million capital expansion using the U.S. HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program for manufacturing, research, distribution and office space. IGS led the momentum for a $4-million recovery-zone facility bond issuance to help North Florida Shipyards create over 240 jobs.

Community Development

Northwest Jacksonville Community Development Corporation
IGS served as development adviser to this community-based, community development corporation. In addition to providing new housing opportunities, the company expanded its operations and capabilities to include commercial retail development in distressed neighborhoods. With the assistance of IGS, the Northwest Jacksonville CDC has recently completed its new, $3.5-million North Point Town Center and is moving forward with several developments including: the $6 million Mary Eaves Senior Living Center; a $1.6-million renovation of the Villages of North Point apartment buildings; a grocery store within an urban food desert at 8th and Phoenix and another urban grocery store across the street from the North Point Town Center building.

U.S. 1 Water Utility Line
Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the U.S. 1 Water Sewer line project is a partnership with the City’s of Jacksonville’s Public Works Department, the Department of Housing and Neighborhoods and the City’s public owned utility, “JEA”. In an effort to boost commercial development and to have a continuous water sewer line on U.S. 1 the above referenced departments and agencies have come together with the technical assistance of IGS and leadership of the District Councilman, to design and build the continuous water sewer line. IGS has facilitated bringing the necessary parties to the table to form this public-private partnership and because of the technical assistance of IGS, the project will be completed earlier than initially planned by the utility company and the costs will be spread out amongst various departments, providing cost savings to the individual departments and agencies involved.

Edward Waters College, Jacksonville
IGS served as fee developer for EWC to create a $7,000,000 multipurpose gymnasium/music center, the first new building to be built on the campus in 25 years. The development was financed through a public/private partnership. The college furnished the land, the City of Jacksonville provided funds and storm-water retention, and Wachovia Bank furnished the balance of the funding.

Government Affairs

Florida International Trade
IGS worked with the Office of the Governor, Florida Department of State, and the Florida Department of Transportation to bring bilingual expertise to achieve overall strategies regarding the state markets for our Latin American and Caribbean basin partners.

Environmental Issues
Another critical environmental component is the St. Johns River Water Management District. The district is one of the local entities that control the permitting process on drainage and other groundwater issues. IGS has been able to work on district issues and is currently involved in the historic acquisition of 187,000 acres of United States Sugar Corporation land for environmental preservation and Everglades restoration.