Creating Downtown Vibrancy by Exposing Secret Retail

[JeffreyS]

The two shops are closing now with the Everbank Employees on the way?  Someone should mention it to them.

As of now, Everbank hasn't committed and if they do, such a move is still a few months away.  Having to go months without customers on a "maybe" that Everbank will come may not be a realistic financial solution for a small business.

I hear you but the building has been under staffed for a few years now it is just eye catching that with this prospect they can't make a bit longer. 

BTW the Everbank move is something Everbank is very intent on.

[JeffreyS]

Signage might be the best use of any downtown incentive money.

[thelakelander]

I'm sure if Everbank comes, new businesses will follow.  Unfortunately, many of the ones struggling today may not make it partially due to poor to no visibility at street level.

[Ocklawaha]

With as much as a push as there is for ground-level retail in every building, it is completely nonsensical to also deny any outdoor advertising for those shops. Maybe the city or building management companies are trying to keep out bra ads and the like? Even the ArtWalk and Off The Grid gallery signs are temporary sandwich boards.

Why oh why do we continue to have policies or attitudes to restrict Downtown?.

NEWS:

The Chief of Police is determined that the streets of the city shall not be obstructed by signs that mar the beauty of Jacksonville. Already there have been a few arrests of merchants who refused to take the signs down and the police are adamant in stating that if the merchants do not comply with the law, more arrests will follow...

Times-Union, November 13, 1909

PS: Yes its a real story, look it up for yourselves.

OCKLAWAHA

[duvaldude08]

The two shops are closing now with the Everbank Employees on the way?  Someone should mention it to them.

As of now, Everbank hasn't committed and if they do, such a move is still a few months away.  Having to go months without customers on a "maybe" that Everbank will come may not be a realistic financial solution for a small business.

I hear you but the building has been under staffed for a few years now it is just eye catching that with this prospect they can't make a bit longer. 

BTW the Everbank move is something Everbank is very intent on.

Agreed jeffrey. Everbank stated themsevles they would not move without the incentives, and now they have them. They showed interest in DT, not the other way around.  Once they decide on their destination (more than the At&t building of course) then the migration will begin.

[thelakelander]

If you don't have the money to hang on or the resources to further yourself into debt while waiting for things to play out, you have to cash in your chips and move on.

[Tacachale]

Exposing retail in this way is a great idea. I was just in downtown Orlando, and many of their corporate buildings are doing this. Even in buildings you can't see into from the street, there are neon signs in the windows or exterior signs indicating there is life within. And now there are full fledged restaurants and even bars in the bottom floors of corporate buildings in Orlando. I wish I had my camera.

The city needs to stop whatever it's doing to keep this from happening, and needs to encourage the building owners to stop as well. Immediately.

[JeffreyS]

+1 this can not happen fast enough.