Local

Plans brewing to bring big business Downtown

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The locally owned brewery, Intuition Ale Works, will ask the city Thursday to approve plans to expand its operation to the Sports Complex.

Intuition Ale Works has made it no secret it wants to expand its beer brewing operation into Downtown Jacksonville, and turn the brick building on the corner of Bay Street and A. Phillip Randolph Boulevard into the city's next hot spot.

"We really think it's good news for the city," said Dave DeCamp, the director of communications for the city of Jacksonville.

The brewery is slated to go before the Downtown Development Review Board to seek approval for plans which include a taproom and a rooftop biergarten.

"We have an entrepreneur, a Jacksonville startup, looking to invest more in Jacksonville," DeCamp said.

The property sits right across the street from the Shipyards, a vacant, city-owned piece of land that's garnered the attention of Jaguars owner, Shad Khan. So far, there's been a lot of talk of development there, but no action.  

"Whenever anybody brings activity, entertainment Downtown, I think it's great," said City Councilman Matt Schellenberg.

City leaders hope the brewery will spark that development and realize the potential that's on tap Downtown.

"We just think that it's a project that has a lot of potential to benefit the city," said DeCamp.

He also said the owner isn't looking for any taxpayer perks. No incentives have been requested.

The DDRB meets at 2 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. DeCamp said the project is recommended for approval.