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Tag: duval county

  • Acquisition of Five-Building Industrial Park in Jacksonville Announced

    Acquisition of Five-Building Industrial Park in Jacksonville Announced

    Merritt Properties recently announced the acquisition of an existing five-building industrial park located at 5022 Gate Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida.

    Formerly known as The Meridian at Deerwood, the newly acquired property has been renamed Merritt at Gate Parkway. This strategically located site, in the heart of St. Johns Town Center, offers unparalleled access directly off the J. Turner Butler Boulevard on Gate Parkway in Duval County.

    Spanning 200,000 square feet of light industrial space across five buildings, Merritt at Gate Parkway offers immediate leasing opportunities with spaces starting at 3,500 square feet. Zoned as Industrial Business Park (IBP), the site offers 14-foot clear heights and ample parking, providing flexible industrial space for a variety of businesses.

    At the time of the acquisition, the Southside Duval County submarket reported a light industrial vacancy rate of less than three percent. Previously, the development had transitioned to a single-story office layout, but with increasing demand for small-bay light industrial spaces, Merritt Properties identified a prime opportunity to convert the property to Class A light industrial use. Plans are already underway to enhance the property by installing drive-in docks and further upgrading the facilities to meet modern industrial standards.

    Merritt at Gate Parkway is home to established tenants, including DB Structured Products and MMI.

    “With its prime location, we are thrilled to expand our light industrial presence in Jacksonville with the acquisition of Merritt at Gate Parkway, which underscores our ongoing commitment to providing quality industrial spaces in key markets,” said Pat Franklin of Merritt Properties. “We are dedicated to enhancing the park’s infrastructure to ensure that both current and future tenants benefit from a premier industrial environment.”

    “Merritt at Gate Parkway represents a tremendous opportunity for us to restore top-tier industrial space in a high-demand area,” said Gary Swatko of Merritt Properties, highlighting the significance of the site’s redevelopment potential. “The potential for redevelopment is vast, and we’re eager to transform this site into a modern, thriving industrial hub. This acquisition is a key component of our strategy to support Jacksonville’s economic growth by providing the essential infrastructure businesses need to succeed.”

    This acquisition marks a significant step in Merritt Properties’ broader expansion in Jacksonville, where the company already owns and operates Imeson Landing Business Park, another five-building industrial park. Plans are underway to expand Imeson Landing with three additional buildings. Additionally, Merritt Properties owns land in Clay County for the future development of Oakleaf Commerce Center and acquired Magnolia Park, a three-building business park, during its initial expansion into Jacksonville in 2021.

    Merritt holdings in Jacksonville now exceeds 500,000 square feet of light industrial in just two years of being in the market.

    For leasing inquiries or more information, visit Merritt at Gate Parkway.

    Established in 1967, Merritt Properties is a full-service commercial real estate firm with over 21 million square feet of office, warehouse, industrial, retail and build-to-suit throughout Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.

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  • Crime Reduction Film ‘Street Stars’ Finally Released

    Crime Reduction Film ‘Street Stars’ Finally Released

    Press Release
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    updated: Jun 18, 2017


    Jacksonville, United States, June 18, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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    A new documentary that looks at solutions to crime and violence has been released (June 16, 2017). This first of its kind film, brings together leaders, activists and people who have lived a street life of crime. The activist film, “Street Stars: A Crime Reduction Theory” documents evidence-based solutions as well as some stark responses to a myriad of questions related to the root causes of crime and violence.  Street Stars was released digitally via Vimeo and can be viewed at www.vimeo.com/ondemand/streetstars.

               The director of the film is criminology professor and Howard law school graduate Opio Sokoni. His last film project was about Bessie Coleman – the first black woman to fly an airplane. The pioneering aviator crashed and died in 1926 one day before a big airshow in Jacksonville, Florida. This city is also the scene of much of his current film. He stuck with his trademark use of incredible independent music – mainly from Portland, Oregon artists. Music with messages is Sokoni’s strategy of helping to place front and center some evidenced-based programs that are working in communities. 

    The activist film, “Street Stars: A Crime Reduction Theory” documents evidence-based solutions as well as some stark responses to a myriad of questions related to the root causes of crime and violence.

    Opio Sokoni, Media Director

                “We started making the Street Stars film in mid-2015 and finally got it done,” says Opio. He continued, “I just think about that family who, possibly because of this film, will not have to experience a tragedy.” Federal judge Brian Davis, former Mayor John Peyton, community developer Paul Tutwiler and former Jaguars player Tony Boselli all appear in the film. In addition, various successful men and women who have experienced the pitfalls of that life provide invaluable dialogue. Another great addition to the project is local music group Cutt Circle. Their viral music videos deal with the high-pressure circumstances of the streets. Their contributions to the discussions around crime and violence is extraordinary. 

                The two-hour film has a run time of 2 hours. The Director’s Cut has strong language. A “16 and Up” rating is suggested by the director for the film. Viewers will be able to log on to www.filmingstreetstars.com and watch the film on cell phones, computers and on their HD TVs at home. Sokoni says he hopes his city and others that are experiencing high levels of crime will look at Street Stars: A Crime Reduction Theory. He plans to market it in the top 20 most violent cities in the United States. “It is my hope that practitioners and people who can reach other people in power or on the streets will see this and be even more inspired to take action, says Opio Sokoni.

    Source: Street Stars: A Crime Reduction Theory Film Project

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