Jacksonville seeks proposals to redevelop historic Snyder Memorial church

Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority is seeking proposals to redevelop and reuse Snyder Memorial Methodist Church, a historic landmark at 226 N. Laura St.The city is offering an approximately 0.26-acre property for potential sale, lease or another transfer. The authority is seeking a partner who can respect the church’s historic character, complement nearby city assets and bring activity to the street level. Potential uses include entertainment, a restaurant, bar or other hospitality business.The church has stood on the site for about 130 years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city also designated it a local historic landmark. The building, including an addition built around 1917, is about 12,337 square feet, a figure the solicitation says must be confirmed.The church was last used for religious services in the 1970s. In 2000, the St. Johns River City Band bought the building for offices and performance space with the help of a $650,000 interest-fr