Is Avondale Ready For A 7-Eleven?

[ChriswUfGator]

^^oh Ubben you have done it now! haha

Avondale should be happy they are getting any kind of retail. That's what us Springfield residents are told. So what's good for one is good for the other! I am kind of jealous actually. Wish it were opening on Main St!

Springfield, thanks to SPAR, is a desolate wasteland of vacant lots and empty buildings. This, on the other hand, is the only currently-vacant parcel in the entire Saint Johns strip, which is pretty much this neighborhood's equivalent of North Main Street in your neighborhood. So yes, sorry to call it like I see it, but we can pick and choose. If I lived in Springfield (which I will never consider as long as SPAR remains open) then yes, I'd be happy to see anything at all open there. Unless you just happen to like staring at empty buildings? I know SPAR doesn't...they had them all demolished.

[Jaxson]

We have fortunately moved beyond the days of the cookie-cutter convenience store design.  The shells of long-closed convenience stores are very recognizable in our area.  I even ran across what appears to be a former convenience store in Ortega Village.  Those kind of buildings are difficult to 'repurpose' because their design still screams, "Look at me, I am a former convenience store!"  IMHO, while these buildings adapt to new functions, it still has an underlying tackiness to it.  By designing new convenience stores that are sensitive to the context of their environs, we are not just creating a visually appealing convenience store - we are also being sensitive to the long-term culture of the community.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Can you imagine the CF that would be if there were pumps at that location?

It's already tough to navigate the AP at 6:00 in the afternoon - and it's sidestreet isn't that busy.

There's still a Shell on St. John's but it's been moved up to 17.  There's also a Kangaroo @ McDuff & 17.  The BP across the street at Stockton & I-10. 

BTW, if you're driving, what's the big deal if the gas station is 2 blocks away or 2 miles away?  Not being snarky, just wondering.  I'm not that loyal to any specific brand of gasoline, but I have several stations where I gas up, typically passing several others along the way.

[MusicMan]

Please say NO to a 7-Eleven at that location.  The single biggest impact would be negative: LOTS MORE TRAFFIC
AT THAT INTERSECTION FOR PEOPLE SPENDING $1.25 FOR A SNICKERS. AT ALL COSTS I WOULD STRIVE TO BRING IN A UNIQUE VENDOR WHO WOULD BRING IN FOLKS TO SPEND AN HOUR OR MORE STROLLING THE SHOPPES, NOT BUYING SNICKERS AND THEN LEAVING.  THE PUPOSE OF" THE SHOPPES OF AVONDALE" IS TO PROVIDE A BUBBLE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE CENTER OF A PEACEFUL NEIGHBO0RHOOD. WHATEVER GOES IN THERE NEEDS TO BE HELD TO A HIGH STANDARD. DESIGN AND BUILD SHOULD BE EQUAL TO TOWN/EMLY BENHAM.   REMEMBER ONCE A 7-11 GOES IN THERE YOU MAY NEVER GET IT OUT.  AND A PREVIOUS POSTER NOTED THERE ARE 3 CONVENIENCE STORER VERY CLOSE BY.

[Steve]

If this were done exceptionally well--a new building in the character of the area, no parking lot, no gas-- maybe.... But when is the last time you saw one done well in the state of Florida? When I drive by convenience stores in the area (Springfield, Park/Oak Street in Avondale or Riverside), they seem to be dedicated magnets for dealers, street walkers and late night booze hounds. No matter how nice the signage is, this will not bode well for the neighborhood. Again, we can do better. I hope RAP steps up.

Those buildings that most convenience stores are in were built long before there was design review in the district. The majority of those buildings wouldn't fly today, so it's kind of an apples and orages example IMO.

You mentioned RAP - at this point, RAP is not taking a stance, as we are currently soliciting feedback from the neighborhood. With that said, if this does come to fruition, I have no doubt that RAP will definitely ensure that the building is built in full compliance with the design regulations outlined by the historic district and the restrictions in the zoning overlay. In particular, it will be built up to the street, and will definitely have appropriate signage. Look at the one in Boston as an example.

You mentioned that you've seen very few built well in Florida. I would argue that this is a result of the community not making 7-Eleven build to design regulations. If you force an urban, historic friendly layout, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you get.

[Steve]

Now, my personal opinion is that I don't mind it per se, as it will have to be a design that compliments the area. With that said, in terms of "highest and best use" for a prominent corner lot, I would say that there could be better things.

All of this is a bit of a moot point if the building complies, as the zoning allows this use.

[Jaxson]

Can you imagine the CF that would be if there were pumps at that location?

It's already tough to navigate the AP at 6:00 in the afternoon - and it's sidestreet isn't that busy.

There's still a Shell on St. John's but it's been moved up to 17.  There's also a Kangaroo @ McDuff & 17.  The BP across the street at Stockton & I-10. 

BTW, if you're driving, what's the big deal if the gas station is 2 blocks away or 2 miles away?  Not being snarky, just wondering.  I'm not that loyal to any specific brand of gasoline, but I have several stations where I gas up, typically passing several others along the way.

That is the crux of our car-centric culture.  Folks want to have all of the amenities within a decent distance from their homes...  The definition of 'decent'?  It depends on their laziness...

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

My stance on this is that I'm totally open for a 'convenience' store.  Not a gas station.  And definitely something that would fit on the strip - I'm sure it would have something unique - other than Slurpees. 

Stop thinking this....



and start trying to imagine this....

[cline]

AT ALL COSTS I WOULD STRIVE TO BRING IN A UNIQUE VENDOR WHO WOULD BRING IN FOLKS TO SPEND AN HOUR OR MORE STROLLING THE SHOPPES, NOT BUYING SNICKERS AND THEN LEAVING.  THE PUPOSE OF" THE SHOPPES OF AVONDALE" IS TO PROVIDE A BUBBLE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE CENTER OF A PEACEFUL NEIGHBO0RHOOD. WHATEVER GOES IN THERE NEEDS TO BE HELD TO A HIGH STANDARD.

The parking lot that the site is now doesn't exactly add to the "bubble of economic activity".  People aren't beating down the door to build something there. 

[ProjectMaximus]

And Gate is ok with this?

[Jaxson]

AT ALL COSTS I WOULD STRIVE TO BRING IN A UNIQUE VENDOR WHO WOULD BRING IN FOLKS TO SPEND AN HOUR OR MORE STROLLING THE SHOPPES, NOT BUYING SNICKERS AND THEN LEAVING.  THE PUPOSE OF" THE SHOPPES OF AVONDALE" IS TO PROVIDE A BUBBLE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE CENTER OF A PEACEFUL NEIGHBO0RHOOD. WHATEVER GOES IN THERE NEEDS TO BE HELD TO A HIGH STANDARD.

The parking lot that the site is now doesn't exactly add to the "bubble of economic activity".  People aren't beating down the door to build something there. 

Ditto.  If I were to choose between a visually appealing 7-Eleven and a blighted vacant building, I would choose the former every time. 

[logical]

The "Shell" business could reopen as an auto repair service station on short notice, WITH the same amenities as a 7-11, so, what is preferred?  The current Shell station 'building' OR a high-end designed 7-11?  Those who bemoan about a 7-11 increasing traffic must be home-bound.  The Shell property already has on-site parking space for 14-17 cars.  Does anyone really imagine a 7-11 "drawing" a caravan of cars?  Where were you when Mojo's opened with 150 seating capacity and NO additional on-street parking?  I see an upscale 7-11 as a fine addition to the Shoppes of Avondale, without negatively impacting the existing businesses.

[Jaxson]

As for those people who belong to the Slurpee and Snickers crowd, they would not be taking up a whole lot of parking as their turnover would be relatively high...

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

my god?!?!  his first post was...... Logical!

What next, some dude from the westside making sense..... nah, probably not.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

As for those people who belong to the Slurpee and Snickers crowd, they would not be taking up a whole lot of parking as their turnover would be relatively high...

And no better way to justify a slurpee or a snicker by walking a few blocks to get it.