MOSH hits $100 million, Publix gets a Saint Johns permit, and St. Vincent’s will rebuild its collapsed garage

MOSH reaches $100 million for its new Northbank museumThe Museum of Science and History announced Oct. 29 that it has raised $100 million, two thirds of the way to its $150 million goal for a new museum on the Downtown Northbank. MOSH called it the largest cultural capital campaign in the city’s history. The city has put $20 million into site improvements, is contributing $880,000 toward design and has committed another $50 million. In September, MOSH said design schematics were 60% complete, putting the 125,000 square foot, five story museum on track to break ground in 2027, pending city approvals. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 29, 2026

Publix gets a $6.5 million permit in north St. Johns CountyA building permit was issued Oct. 29 for a 50,734 square foot Publix at northeast Veterans Parkway and Longleaf Pines Parkway in Saint Johns, northeast of The Church of Eleven22 campus and Creekside High School. HGR Construction of Altamonte Springs is the contractor, and ACC Project Longleaf LLC, whose registered agent is St. Augustine investment firm Ancient City Capital, is listed as the landowner. Publix confirmed the lease in October 2025. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 29, 2026

St. Vincent’s Riverside will restore its collapsed parking garageThe city issued a $5 million permit Oct. 29 to Florida Lemark Corp. of Doral to demolish and restore the part of the Chartrand Building parking deck at 1860 King St. that partially collapsed in September 2023. The work will replace select precast pieces of the three story garage and restore affected building systems and finishes. When the top floor gave way on Sept. 12, 2023, it smashed several cars below, and no injuries were reported. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 29, 2026

The Ambassador Hotel gets new windows on its way to Hotel MerrydelleThe city issued a $350,000 permit Oct. 29 for Avant Construction Group to install new windows in 109 units at the historic Ambassador Hotel, 420 N. Julia St. Gateway Jax, which bought the property for $17 million in February 2025, plans to reopen it as Hotel Merrydelle, a 109 key Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. Its National Park Service application lists an estimated $25 million rehabilitation cost and completion by July 15, 2027. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 29, 2026

A St. Johns County warplane finishes second in Florida’s manufacturing contestNorthrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, built in St. Johns County, was runner up in this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition, sponsored by the Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce. Arthrex announced Oct. 28 that its TightRope PRO ankle implant, made in Ave Maria, won the online vote, which started with 125 nominated products. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 29, 2026

Rosenblum’s sells its Lakewood building and moves to the BeachAfter 128 years, the menswear retailer has consolidated into its Jacksonville Beach store at 2400 Third St. S. It sold its 30 year home at 5500 San Jose Blvd. on Aug. 26 for $2.8 million to Jacob Commercial Real Estate LLC, which plans to convert the nearly 4,700 square foot building to medical use. Partner Richard Rosenblum said the company’s annual revenue tops $2.5 million and the Beach space is leased, newer and a better fit. Source: Jax Daily Record, Oct. 30, 2026