City issues permits to convert former FBI building into apartments. (WJCT/Jacksonville Daily Record)

The Jacksonville, Florida FBI office never did anything about the September 2, 2010 murder of Michelle O'Connell by St. Johns County Sheriff's Deputy JEREMY BANKS.  Instead, it is pumping money into the St. Johns County Sheriff's office for a training center.  $2 million.  It's our money. 

Circa 1978, then Alabama Securities Commissioner Tommy Krebs told The Wall Street Journal, "I'd rather have a sister in a whorehouse than a brother in the FBI." 

In an earlier era, what would a screenwriter do with the former local FBI office building whose successive Special Agents in Charge well knew of corruption by local Sheriffs and refused to prosecute them?   

Well, a good movie might have had the FBI building turned into one of St. Johns County Sheriff L.O. Davis's whorehouses.  

But we are in an era of Dull Republicans Florida corruption, one where the FBI, FDLE, prosecutors and Sheriffs ignore foreign-owned developer ownership, rampant purchase of political offices through campaign contributions, and resulting corruption destroying our forests and wetlands, 

In our era, it's neatly symbolic that the former FBI building will be developed into ugly condos.  At least the land is already cleared.

From WJCT News and Jacksonville Daily Record:

The former FBI building in Arlington is slated for conversion into 118 apartments.

JAX DAILY RECORDFRIDAY, DEC. 11, 202008:36 AM EST

City issues permits to convert former FBI building into apartments

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Developers will turn the six-story Arlington Expressway structure into 118 units.

by: Karen Brune Mathis Editor

With permits issued Dec. 10, developers Marc Peter Kozman and Magdi Samuel can start work on converting the former FBI Building into the Arlington Apartments at a cost of $11 million.

As Theotokos Holdings LLC, the developers own the property at 7820 Arlington Expressway and will turn the six-story building in 118 apartments with an amenity center and gym.

Axios Construction Services LLC of Fern Park is the contractor. Fisher Koppenhafer of Jacksonville is the architect.

The city issued permits for 95,256 square feet to be converted into apartments at a cost of almost $10.98 million and for a 6,745-square-foot amenity center and gym at a cost of $100,000.

Kozman and Samuel said in September they hoped to renovate the former FBI building in Arlington into 118 apartments “as soon as possible.”

“Jacksonville is a nice town,” said Kozman, who is based near Toronto, on Sept. 18 during a visit to Jacksonville.

“It made good sense to us.”

Kozman said Jacksonville offers a diversified economy. Along with development Downtown, he said the area offers a good school system and a marketplace that attracts students and young professionals.

Previously filed plans show the building will be converted into 70 one-bedroom and 48 two-bedroom units. Plans show a gym, recreation areas, amenities and a courtyard.

City Council enacted Ordinance 2020-0295 for rezoning and 2020-0294 for the land use change Aug. 11.

The group rezoned the property to a planned unit development and changed the land use to high-density residential. 

The Halff Associates Inc. engineering and architecture consulting firm applied to the St. Johns River Water Management District for a permit exemption that involves redeveloping the office building into low-income housing. 

Kozman said his group is not targeting any specific market for renters but is aware of the area’s demographics. He said rents will be in line with the neighborhood.

In a written description, Halff Associates, represented by Joe Loretta, said the project is expected to be completed in one phase in 12-15 months. 

 Kozman Realty Inc. paid $1.2 million for the vacant building, according to a deed executed Sept. 26, 2019. It conveyed the property in July to a related group, Theotokos Holdings LLC. Samuel is a partner.

The city approved interior demolition in November 2019.

The building was developed in 1975 on a 4.79-acre site

The Federal Bureau of Investigation leased the building for the Jacksonville field office until the bureau moved in 2009 to a government-owned structure at 6061 Gate Parkway. 

The building sat largely vacant after the FBI relocated. The Class C office building has been vandalized and without power.

“It seemed like an opportunity to serve the community,” Kozman said.

“Everybody needs somewhere to live.”