Fionn MacCool's and Rush Street

[urbaknight]

I just wonder how we'd go about establishing that connectivity. As far as entertainment/nightlife it's like downtown is a small scale copy of how Jacksonville is as a city... spread out. Even though I wouldn't describe Marks, Dive, TSI, Lit, Ivy, Burro, P.L.S. and Dos Gatos as being far apart, they definitely aren't all in an ideal bar hopping distance as most people would like them to be. Throw in the fact that we have a bunch of 'Daytime Only' businesses between these spots, it makes them seem that much further apart. The Landing is sort of in an entirely different region it seems.

On a side not, are majority of the upstairs spaces in clubs/bars I listed occupied (the ones that are multilevel buildings)? It would be nice if we could cluster new nightlife on top of each other. Like Burrito Gallery and Indochine have managed to do.

I like all of your ideas for connecting the Landing with East Bay St. But I have a couple of other ideas that would enhance your ideas. If the Bay st Trolley can add the Landing as a stop, and all the empty space in floors above the ground get converted into apartments (especially the Laura st Trio) These would tie all of it together very tightly. We need apartments as infill, having people DT all the time would keep things lively 24/7.

[bainsworth]

The owners have been working on Rush Street for a month and rushed to get it open in time for FL/GA, with plans to close, finish their renovations and re-open. They are scheduled to re-open on Friday, November 11.

[Captain Zissou]

I am the first to say that one trick ponies won't save downtown, but the Laura Trio is critical in establishing nightlife and connectivity between Bay St and the Landing.  There are many projects around the Trio that are just speculative bets on the Trio getting redeveloped (the Greenleaf building for one).  Once the Trio is redone, those projects can move forward and further energize that area.  Also, the shear fact that this will add hundreds of residents to the area who will need to travel that corridor just to get the goods and services they'll need to live.  Not to mention, the trio will have a sight line with Dos Gatos, Florida Theatre, Casa Dora, Thee Imperial etc...  That will make pedestrians feel safer walking to Laura street, which then has a sight line with the Landing.  Perception-wise, that will be much safer than the landscaped dungeon known as the 'pedestrian link'.

The Modis building is another big obstacle/opportunity.  If the ground floor (which is already full of tenants) is opened up to both Bay and Laura, that will put people on the street and make the walk between Ivy's/Lit less ominous. 

The main obstacle to a revitalized nightlife and downtown core is the abundance of surface and structured parking lots.  To walk from Ivy's to the Landing, regardless of the route you take, you have to pass by 3 dimly lit and empty blocks of parking.  If you do in fact use the 'pedestrian link', or landscaped back alley dungeon, you have to walk past the Chamber of Commerce building, which at night is dark, empty, and set back from the street.  Does anyone else find it ironic/pathetic that our own Chamber's building is set back 40 feet, unwelcoming, with an adjacent surface lot??  In my opinion it should be the building most engaged with the street.  It's just another visual reminder of our city's opinion towards its citizens.  They want to rule over us, but not interact with us.

[comncense]

  Stephen. Yeah, I didn't really like the idea of that walkway personally. I guess it's good to have an option, but it doesn't seem like the safest thing in the world. I generally stick to walking down the Riverwalk if I'm heading towards the Landing.

So has there been any news on the Laura St. Trio or The Bank Hotel?

[Tacachale]

^The developers asked for $5 million in historic tax credits for phase 1 of the project this summer. They say the project can't move forward without it. The buildings are in terrible shape, with a lot of water intrusion. Personally, I'm not holding out much hope for this one, especially for the Florida Life and Bisbee Buildings.

[tufsu1]

If you do in fact use the 'pedestrian link', or landscaped back alley dungeon, you have to walk past the Chamber of Commerce building, which at night is dark, empty, and set back from the street.  Does anyone else find it ironic/pathetic that our own Chamber's building is set back 40 feet, unwelcoming, with an adjacent surface lot??  In my opinion it should be the building most engaged with the street.  It's just another visual reminder of our city's opinion towards its citizens.  They want to rule over us, but not interact with us.

which is why the Chamber is redesigning its building....they plan to address street frontage and the parking lot

btw..I think the back alley you are ferring to is between the Chamber and Modis (along the Main St bridge ramp)....the one I referred to is the new connection on the east side of the Ocean St bridge ramp, which is lit extremely brightly at night.

[Captain Zissou]

If you do in fact use the 'pedestrian link', or landscaped back alley dungeon, you have to walk past the Chamber of Commerce building, which at night is dark, empty, and set back from the street.  Does anyone else find it ironic/pathetic that our own Chamber's building is set back 40 feet, unwelcoming, with an adjacent surface lot??  In my opinion it should be the building most engaged with the street.  It's just another visual reminder of our city's opinion towards its citizens.  They want to rule over us, but not interact with us.

which is why the Chamber is redesigning its building....they plan to address street frontage and the parking lot

btw..I think the back alley you are ferring to is between the Chamber and Modis (along the Main St bridge ramp)....the one I referred to is the new connection on the east side of the Ocean St bridge ramp, which is lit extremely brightly at night.

I'm talking about the same 'pedestrian link' as you.   You can light a dungeon as bright as you want, it's still a dungeon.  Btw, the alley between Modis and the Chamber is called Main Street.

When is the start date on remodling the chamber??

[urbaknight]

^The developers asked for $5 million in historic tax credits for phase 1 of the project this summer. They say the project can't move forward without it. The buildings are in terrible shape, with a lot of water intrusion. Personally, I'm not holding out much hope for this one, especially for the Florida Life and Bisbee Buildings.

If only I could win the lottery, I'd give the 5 million myself!

So many of those buildings can/should be converted into apartments; but I make the Trio a priority. Do the Trio first and I'm sure it would set an example of what could happen all around DT.

It could be the catalyst that saves all of DT.

This is what I'm talking about when I suggested doing fund raising events on other threads. Can MJ put something together that can hasten the beginning of this project?

[comncense]

^ Maybe we should start a MJ lottery pool with hopes that we strike it rich and rebuild the Core ourselves

[urbaknight]

Hey that's a great idea! MJ should seriously consider it, and the more people that participate the better our chances would be.

On a pitiful note, it would probably take no less than that to infill our core. COJ isn't really interested in doing it.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Didn't I read that the developer wanted the $5M grant, but would only collect at the completion of the renovation?

Yes I did:

blizz01
June 21, 2011, 01:18:31 PM
Laura Street Trio Developers Plead for $5M in Tax Credits

Quote
The developers of the Laura Street Trio in Downtown Jacksonville say they are approved for a construction loan and permanent financing through a private equity group, but the project wonââ,¬â,,¢t move forward without $5 million in tax credits.
Steve Atkins of The Atkins Group made a presentation to Mayor-elect Alvin Brownââ,¬â,,¢s Downtown revitalization committee Tuesday morning on the state of the project, which includes the Florida Life Building, the Bisbee Building and the Marble Bank Building as well as the Barnett Bank Building.
Atkins is managing principal of Linea LLC, which presented the $70 million redevelopment project in May 2010.
He said the buildings are under contract to be purchased from their Chicago owner, and he expects to close in 60 days. He declined to comment on the purchase price.
ââ,¬Å"The buildings are in shell condition,ââ,¬Â Atkins told the committee. ââ,¬Å"Thereââ,¬â,,¢s water intrusion and theyââ,¬â,,¢re deteriorating rapidly.ââ,¬Â
Linea has outlined Phase I of the project, which is the historic preservation of the buildingsââ,¬â,,¢ exteriors, at a cost of about $5.1 million. Atkins said he is seeking historic tax credits and new market tax credits for the project.
He said the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission  Jacksonville Economic Development Commission
Follow this company has approved those credits and that ââ,¬Å"legislation has been drafted,ââ,¬Â though he didnââ,¬â,,¢t know when it would appear before the City Council.
JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton and a city spokeswoman did not immediately return calls for comment.
ââ,¬Å"Itââ,¬â,,¢s all performance-based,ââ,¬Â Atkins said. ââ,¬Å"We would receive the credits after the work is completed and approved by the National Trust for Historic Preservation  National Trust for Historic Preservation

From The Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/06/21/laura-street-trio-developers-plead.html

[Tacachale]

Didn't I read that the developer wanted the $5M grant, but would only collect at the completion of the renovation?

Yes I did:

blizz01
June 21, 2011, 01:18:31 PM
Laura Street Trio Developers Plead for $5M in Tax Credits

Quote
The developers of the Laura Street Trio in Downtown Jacksonville say they are approved for a construction loan and permanent financing through a private equity group, but the project wonââ,¬â,,¢t move forward without $5 million in tax credits.
Steve Atkins of The Atkins Group made a presentation to Mayor-elect Alvin Brownââ,¬â,,¢s Downtown revitalization committee Tuesday morning on the state of the project, which includes the Florida Life Building, the Bisbee Building and the Marble Bank Building as well as the Barnett Bank Building.
Atkins is managing principal of Linea LLC, which presented the $70 million redevelopment project in May 2010.
He said the buildings are under contract to be purchased from their Chicago owner, and he expects to close in 60 days. He declined to comment on the purchase price.
ââ,¬Å"The buildings are in shell condition,ââ,¬Â Atkins told the committee. ââ,¬Å"Thereââ,¬â,,¢s water intrusion and theyââ,¬â,,¢re deteriorating rapidly.ââ,¬Â
Linea has outlined Phase I of the project, which is the historic preservation of the buildingsââ,¬â,,¢ exteriors, at a cost of about $5.1 million. Atkins said he is seeking historic tax credits and new market tax credits for the project.
He said the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission  Jacksonville Economic Development Commission
Follow this company has approved those credits and that ââ,¬Å"legislation has been drafted,ââ,¬Â though he didnââ,¬â,,¢t know when it would appear before the City Council.
JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton and a city spokeswoman did not immediately return calls for comment.
ââ,¬Å"Itââ,¬â,,¢s all performance-based,ââ,¬Â Atkins said. ââ,¬Å"We would receive the credits after the work is completed and approved by the National Trust for Historic Preservation  National Trust for Historic Preservation

From The Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/06/21/laura-street-trio-developers-plead.html

Yeah, I really don't see any harm whatsoever in approving this. Even if he doesn't complete, he'll at least be able to patch them up so that they don't continue to deteriorate. Still, they are in horrible shape.

[comncense]

Downtown Vision's Facebook page says that Rush Street is having its Grand Opening tonight. I'm tempted to walk over and check it out.