JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you have driven by Regency Square Mall recently, you likely noticed the fence and construction equipment around the property.
A News4JAX crew took a closer look Friday, and could see the parking lot completely fenced off, with a backhoe — heavy-duty excavation machine — parked in front of what used to be the mall’s main entrance. Several trees also appeared to be freshly removed.
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Blackwater Development purchased the majority of the 77-acre property last year for just over $19 million. The developer said it planned to breathe new life into the site with a mix of retail, residential and national-brand tenants.
News4JAX reached out to Blackwater Development on Friday for an update on the project, known as The Nexus at Regency, asking whether demolition has officially begun.
The developer did not immediately respond.
[RELATED: Iconic Regency Mall sign, east wing face demolition in first phase of transformation]
According to plans submitted last year, the initial phase focuses on roughly 11 acres at the front of the property, along Atlantic Boulevard and Monument Road. The work was set to include:
- Demolition of a large portion of the East Mall
- Construction of new roads and sidewalks
- Installation of water, sewer, and electric lines
- A new roundabout at the mall’s main entrance
- Landscaping and parking lot improvements
Impact Church, located in a section of the mall, posted a video message on social media last week, alerting parishioners about the construction around the church and the new traffic pattern to access the entrance. The church also said services will continue as normal.
News4JAX also reached out to Impact Church to get an update on its lawsuit against Regency Square Mall that alleges Blackwater Regency LLC and its principal, Rurmell McGee, diverted a property purchase deal away from the church to acquire the mall themselves.
In a statement released in February, Impact Church explained why it chose to pursue the purchase of the area that was formerly Regency Square Mall, what the purchase was intended to accomplish and why the church decided to pursue legal action following what it described as “deceptive circumstances” that it believes violated contractual rights.
Piece of Jacksonville history
Originally opened in 1967, Regency Square Mall quickly became one of Jacksonville’s most popular shopping destinations, drawing visitors not only from across the River City but from parts of Southeast Florida and Southern Georgia.
Anchored by retailers like JCPenney, May-Cohens, Woolworth and Piccadilly Cafeteria, the mall was considered one of the top indoor malls in the country.
By the early 1990s, Regency was still thriving. Archival News4JAX footage showed packed parking lots and crowds of shoppers during the holiday season. When the Jacksonville Jaguars were established in 1993, the mall was the first place fans could purchase official team merchandise.
This is a developing story.