Issue 171, March 27
What a great meeting (and a great turnout)! We had Mike Balanky of Chase Properties share with us many of his development projects going on in Jacksonville, as well as some other major projects underway.
Balanky is a true Jacksonville native and worked odd jobs in his youth from the age of 12. He created Truck Options as his first major business, then sold it when the time was right and moved on to being a major player in the real estate market.
He bought property at Touchton and Southside Blvd, and spent nine months seeking support from neighbors, other investors, and the city, to create a major High-Density Mixed-Use Development. Publix is the major anchor there.
He also developed the area around the Kings Avenue parking garage, the Southbank of Jax with high-rise condos, some downtown locations, and more. The list goes on. He also shared some other projects in the works by others and told us about how politicians have played games or stopped construction on development projects awarded to outside developers, which made them walk (or run) away from our city.
In addition, Balanky told us about the $4.5 billion worth of development planned for the downtown area. He added that time is our biggest resource. We are ready now and the government has learned and agreed to stay out of development once they give the go-ahead.
He said that incentives are an investment. They attract developers, and that, in return, increase ad-valorem taxes in the future.
Join us this week as we hear from Ernest (Ernie) Hamilton, area director of Children’s Home Society of Florida. He will share with us about all the great programs CHS has to help keep families safe and together. CHS is one of the largest players in the foster care and adoption arena. Don’t forget to sign up for our Social Action Day at the CHS campus to take place on April 1st. This is only an 8am-Noon commitment and will allow us the opportunity to help tidy up their campus and work together on a project. Please see the article in this newsletter to learn how to sign up.
Have a great week and please bring a guest to our next meeting to share our great club!
Respectfully,
Jeanne Maron
2023 President
