Convention Center: City is not ready for new facility

[thelakelander]

I also question that a more vertical convention center couldn't be just as big as whatever is proposed for the POCC site.

That's an area that definately needs to be explored.  Another spot worth seriously exploring is working with the private sector.  Think vertical as opposed to horizontal and sell air rights for additional development of office, hotel and condo towers.

[thelakelander]

I think the cineplex is dependant on the convention center staying where it is though.  Nonetheless, vertical is the way to go no matter where it is built, IMO.

I'm with Vicupstate on the cineplex thing.  That development team doesn't appear to have any connections with movie theater operators and their largest development is Gateway Mall, a center that has not been able to land an anchor store despite the city offering incentives for one.

Overall, a decision on the convention center's expansion or relocation should not heavily factor what "may" be in the area one day.  That method is how we ended up with the Skyway's chosen route.

[vicupstate]

I think the cineplex is dependant on the convention center staying where it is though.  Nonetheless, vertical is the way to go no matter where it is built, IMO.

According to TOny's blog post, it is not dependent.  If the Northside theater complex hadn't been built, I might have more faith in it, but it sounds too good to be true to me.

[Jason]

If the convention center moved to the riverfront on the other side of the core don't you think there would be a smaller chance that the cineplex would be built?  Besides, the convention center is the only thing happening in LaVilla right now.  If it moved to the other side of the CBD, the potential for development would surely follow, leaving the cineplex in dust.

[thelakelander]

Personally, I think the cineplex idea is just as far fetched and conceptual as the 70 story hotel proposal in the Stadium District.  Plus even with a movie theater, you'll need more than that to make it a viable convention center site with supporting infrastructure.  For example, you would still need to subsidize a large scale luxury hotel and doing all of that only competes with the synergy finally taking place in the heart of downtown and the Hyatt, which we also gave incentives for.  I'd prefer that we build on something we've already started and we have strong bones with the Landing, Bay Street, Florida Theater, the Hyatt, the riverwalk, Hemming Plaza and Adams all being located within walking distance of each other.  Instead of spreading things out, lets continue to pack it with a diverse amount of activities and uses.  Also, there's no reason a movie theater (if that's what is desired) can't be included as a part of a convention center development replacing the courthouse and city hall annex on Bay Street.