The board is tackling a courtesy review, meaning the developer is only seeking initial feedback on the appearance of the 12-story buildings one of which is 360 units and one of which is 224 units.

Jefferson Apartment Group is finishing the nearby 420 building in March, and hopes to start construction on the 520 project immediately afterward.

We don't any problems or delays with that timeline, said Mike Mulhall, Florida Partner of Jefferson Apartment Group.

He said high-rise construction costs are rising sharply in the area, but less so for a mid-rise building like the 520 project.

City staff and board members have already expressed concerns about the proposed large expanse of the buildings, which would span two long blocks, and use of a stucco facade throughout.

There are also concerns about the lack of height variation and cornice treatment along the parapet of both building, the written feedback said.

They recommended another material to break-up the large mass and monotony of the single material fa ade treatment.

Mulhall said the development team is working to address the concern about the facade.

As they have on many other downtown projects recently, the review board called for a more distinctive and signature roofline.

The appearance review board meets at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Sustainability Conference Room 2nd Floor, City Hall.