City Seeks Proposals to Redevelop Historic Church
Jacksonville's downtown authority is soliciting bids for the former Snyder Memorial Methodist Church on North Laura Street.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Commercial
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The Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority is seeking proposals to sell, lease or otherwise transfer the roughly 0.26-acre property at 226 N. Laura St., home to the former Snyder Memorial Methodist Church. The city took ownership after the St. Johns River City Band defaulted on a $650,000 loan tied to the building.
Why it matters
The authority wants a partner who can respect the church's historic character, complement nearby city assets and bring activity to the street level in downtown Jacksonville. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a local historic landmark, which shapes what any redevelopment can do.
The city has spent $427,000 on stabilization and repairs since taking ownership, following the band's default on a $650,000 interest-free loan made in 2000. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 3, 2027, but the sale price, lease terms and selection timeline have not been set.
The players
Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority
The city agency responsible for downtown redevelopment and the property sale process, which oversees projects that aim to revitalize Jacksonville's central business district.
St. Johns River City Band
A Jacksonville community music organization that bought the former church in 2000 with a city loan and defaulted on its terms, leading the city to take ownership.
The details
Proposals will be judged on financial strength, economic benefit, downtown activation, design and resiliency, historic rehabilitation, project feasibility and development team experience. Teams must include a lead architect or preservation consultant with at least 10 years of experience rehabilitating historic structures.
Timeline
2000: The St. Johns River City Band bought the building with a $650,000 interest-free city loan.
1970s: The church was last used for religious services.
Around 1917: An addition was built onto the building.
Nov. 5, 2026: The Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority announced the proposal solicitation.
Feb. 3, 2027: Proposals are due by 5 p.m.
Market Landscape
The solicitation follows a pattern in which Jacksonville converts city-held historic properties into private redevelopment through competitive proposals rather than direct sales. It positions downtown historic buildings as a source of activity and tax-base growth within the city's landmark preservation framework.
Developers and preservation firms interested in the site must meet the 10-year experience requirement and submit proposals by the February deadline. Downtown residents may see the former church reused and its street-level frontage activated after a redevelopment is selected.
The takeaway
Redevelopment of the former church will depend on whether a proposal can balance the building's historic protections with a financially feasible use. Interested teams should prepare documentation of preservation experience before the February deadline.
What happens next
Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 3, 2027, and the authority may announce a shortlist before issuing a formal request for proposals.
Further reading
For more on similar downtown projects, see Commercial real estate coverage in Jacksonville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 4 Jax.
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