"The Library"

[Metro Jacksonville]

"The Library"



  One of the city's most public buildings is being readied for its re-emergence as a new mixed-used center.  Developers believe construction could begin as early as February 2008.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/657

[jeh1980]

I like this idea. A great addition to downtown.

[hightowerlover]

The colorful lights really make the fins work.

[NJ to JAX WHAT DID I DO?]

Why is it called the Library?  Is it an old library?  Looking forward to it.

[Lunican]

Yes, this was Jacksonville's main library until the new one opened on Hemming Plaza just a couple years ago (2005?).

[Jason]

Looking great!  Even better news is that it is starting soon.

Why the name change though?  To me "The Library" will be confused with the actual main library.

[vicupstate]

This is easily the best thing going on in the core currently.  Can't wait to see it open.

Reminder:  This building came close to being STORAGE for the Supervisor of Elections.

[thelakelander]

Chocolate Factory anyone?

[Ocklawaha]

In Medellin, they did a similar thing with old downtown buildings. Some were quite narrow, but almost all were at least 5 floors tall. They interconnected them by cutting doorways between the various places, and opened what has to be the worlds largest "unknown" mall. One gets the feel of an explorer in there, ramps or stairs connect the odd floor heights to eachother, add in a few thousand people and it is downright fun. It has been named "El Waco" which translates "THE HOLE". Fitting since if it isn't a cavern, it does resemble an ant hill.

In Orange County? California, they have or had one created out of an old Hotel. It was the only GUY MALL I have ever seen. Instead of endless rows of stores selling shoes and bra's. This place featured sports and hobbys, They must have 40 or 50 stores, selling everything from sports clothes and equipment, to computers, games, models, art, tools, lawn and garden, BBQ, radio, crafts, electronics... the list just goes on and on. It too is packed and forget finding parking on the weekends.

I would love these guys to take it to the next step and not just do a mall, but break the mold. Do something unique and they won't have to beg for traffic. Certainly there must be a radio shack, computer store, game store, hobby shop, etc... just looking for a place to land.  

Ocklawaha

[creeksidebrewery]

Seems like "The Library" is in need of a Brewery / Beer Pub.

[raheem942]

well it looks ok

[Steve]

This is easily the best thing going on in the core currently.  Can't wait to see it open.

Reminder:  This building came close to being STORAGE for the Supervisor of Elections.

Remember that!  When I first heard that I about fell out of my chair.  It would have been cheaper for the city to build a 130,000 sqFt Warehouse (the size of the library) somewhere then to use this building as storage.

[thelakelander]

Seems like "The Library" is in need of a Brewery / Beer Pub.

Jacksonville, in general, is in need of a brewer/beer pub and this spot is ripe for one.

This is easily the best thing going on in the core currently.

With 11 East, Starbucks, Burrito Gallery, London Bridge and the Florida Theater all within a block of the old library, This should bring introduce critical mass of visible urban pedestrian oriented activity to the heart of downtown.  It should also serve as a great example of how urban oriented planning can benefit the community.

[Jason]

In Medellin, they did a similar thing with old downtown buildings. Some were quite narrow, but almost all were at least 5 floors tall. They interconnected them by cutting doorways between the various places, and opened what has to be the worlds largest "unknown" mall. One gets the feel of an explorer in there, ramps or stairs connect the odd floor heights to eachother, add in a few thousand people and it is downright fun. It has been named "El Waco" which translates "THE HOLE". Fitting since if it isn't a cavern, it does resemble an ant hill.

In Orange County? California, they have or had one created out of an old Hotel. It was the only GUY MALL I have ever seen. Instead of endless rows of stores selling shoes and bra's. This place featured sports and hobbys, They must have 40 or 50 stores, selling everything from sports clothes and equipment, to computers, games, models, art, tools, lawn and garden, BBQ, radio, crafts, electronics... the list just goes on and on. It too is packed and forget finding parking on the weekends.

I would love these guys to take it to the next step and not just do a mall, but break the mold. Do something unique and they won't have to beg for traffic. Certainly there must be a radio shack, computer store, game store, hobby shop, etc... just looking for a place to land.  

Ocklawaha

You could buy models?  Man, California must be so overrun with them they just sell them to whomever wants to front the coin.  Put me down for two! 

[Jason]

Seems like "The Library" is in need of a Brewery / Beer Pub.

Jacksonville, in general, is in need of a brewer/beer pub and this spot is ripe for one.

This is easily the best thing going on in the core currently.

With 11 East, Starbucks, Burrito Gallery, London Bridge and the Florida Theater all within a block of the old library, This should bring introduce critical mass of visible urban pedestrian oriented activity to the heart of downtown.  It should also serve as a great example of how urban oriented planning can benefit the community.

Hopefully this market downturn doesn't swipe the wind from the Library's sails.  That little corner of downtown is ripe for infill.