![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/armory_aerial_t850.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\nA developer selected by the city of Jacksonville seven years ago to resurrect the historic Florida National Guard Armory building in Springfield will get a chance to purchase the city-owned building under action Jan. 13 by Jacksonville City Council.<\/p>\n
Council voted 17-0, with members Rory Diamond and Terrance Freeman away from the dais, to sell the city-owned building to Fort Lauderdale-based REVA Development Corp. for $3.04 million.<\/p>\n
The Council vote constituted final action on the sale, completing seven years of city involvement with REVA for rehabilitation of the structure.<\/p>\n
The 2.49-acre property at 928 N. Liberty St. will be sold to Armory Redevelopment Associates LLC, a subsidiary of REVA, under Ordinance 2025-0876. The city will receive $2.55 million in new revenue from the sale, with the remaining $496,537.10 being repayment for a grant previously awarded to REVA by the city.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The historic National Guard Armory at 851 N. Market St.<\/p>\n
In 2019, the city selected REVA to redevelop the Armory into a mixed-use facility with art galleries and studios, co-working spaces, a food hall, performance space and a microbrewery. The city began leasing the property to REVA in 2020.<\/p>\n
REVA has not completed the project or said it has changed its redevelopment plans.<\/p>\n
Revenue from sale<\/p>\n
Council members had differing ideas on how the city could use the revenue from the sale.<\/p>\n
![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot_2025-01-13_at_10.38.38AM_t850.png\" "\\"Jimmy")
<\/p>\n
Jimmy Peluso<\/p>\n
Member Jimmy Peluso, who represents the district encompassing the Armory property, said the city should place about $500,000 into the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Fund, replenishing funds previously spent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Members Diamond and Ron Salem argued the city should sell more properties and use the revenue to pay off completion grants for development projects.<\/p>\n
In the lease, the city also provided an optional parcel for sale adjacent to the Armory to the LLC for $846,000. REVA planned to develop 100 workforce apartments there. However, plans for the Emerald Trail park project run through that parcel, making the affordable housing no longer viable for REVA.<\/p>\n
Armory issues<\/p>\n
According to a 2022 city summary, the three-story Armory building needed asbestos, lead-based paint and mold abatement; HVAC, plumbing, electrical and telecommunications replacement; fire protection and sprinkler system installation; waterproofing; re-roofing; and framing and floor rehabilitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/308408_standard_t850.jpeg\" "\\"The")
<\/p>\n
The Armory Building at 815 N. Market St.<\/p>\n
The city estimated costs of stabilization at $15 million. REVA listed the full cost of the Armory redevelopment at $30 million in 2024.<\/p>\n
REVA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose name is an acronym for Real Estate Ventures for the Arts, lists the total cost of the project at $30 million, including work to reduce flooding.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an October memo presented to the Mayor\u2019s Budget Review Committee, the city\u2019s Office of Economic Development said REVA has done roof repairs and other small improvements. The city issued a roofing permit for the building in 2024.<\/p>\n
The 80,826-square-foot Armory has endured flooding over the years, including when Hurricane Irma left 12 to 16 inches of standing water in the structure during 2017.<\/p>\n
The Armory was vacant for 10 years before REVA\u2019s takeover of the space.<\/p>\n
Armory history<\/p>\n
Constructed in 1916, the Armory has since been property of both the city and the state of Florida.<\/p>\n
According to The Jaxson online magazine, the building served the military reserve force and was a destination for dances, cultural events, high school graduations and concerts. The Armory\u2019s facilities included a kitchen, mess hall, band room, billiard room, rifle range, swimming pool and bowling alley.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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