San Marco Station Project Takes Shape

[ben says]

What exactly would it take to get a Trader Joe's here?

[copperfiend]

What exactly would it take to get a Trader Joe's here?

Lets find out and get Shad Khan on it!

[ben says]

What exactly would it take to get a Trader Joe's here?

Lets find out and get Shad Khan on it!

That, or firebomb their corporate inbox with requests...

[thelakelander]

Picking the city up and physically moving it to South Florida,  Atlanta, or Charlotte.

[fieldafm]

Picking the city up and physically moving it to South Florida,  Atlanta, or Charlotte.

Pretty much.

[billy]

A Trader Joes makes more sense than a Whole Foods for Jacksonville.
If one were opened anywhere in town it would do record sales, I bet.

[ben says]

While I love my Grassroots guys, I'd love to see them across the street from LPS and Fidelity on the Riverside corridor.

[Captain Zissou]

This thread hasn't been on topic for about 2 pages.  Any updates on the actual project??

[fieldafm]

This thread hasn't been on topic for about 2 pages.  Any updates on the actual project??

Yes, the third building has been demoed.  Project is well under way. 

[urban_Savvy]

This project is taking the form of a PUD (Planned Unit Development) and can be tracked by the Public in the LUZAP System as it makes its way through the Planning Commision and City Council hearings in the following months.

The LUZAP (Land Use and Zoning Portal) System can be accessed here: http://maps.coj.net/luzap/

It doesn't have an Ordinance # yet, but it can be found by locating it on the map or searching for Tracking # 92.

[Ocklawaha]

What exactly would it take to get a Trader Joe's here?

Lets find out and get Shad Khan on it!

That, or firebomb their corporate inbox with requests...

FYI Ben, I have "friends" high in the Andes of Colombia that could probably arrange whatever you have in mind. 

OCK

[Ocklawaha]

Need to be clear - Panera won't be going into the old restored building.  They will be in a new building between the two existing ones (old utility bldg and SJCH).

Doug, do we have a rendering of Panera or is the restaurant in the article the same as Panera? Wouldn't it be cool to create a Panera in a reproduction streetcar barn sort of like The Spaghetti Factory does in several cities. Since South Jacksonville had it's own Muni, it would be/would have been a nice salute. Then we actually buy the blue trolley and set up an office.

I'd strike out for a "streetcar-interurban-railroad" museum and if you'd like I'll volunteer to get some nice attractive displays of quality LOCAL memorabilia.

[dougskiles]

Sorry that I've been AWOL on this thread for a while.  I was out in Salt Lake City enjoying their excellent transit system (and doing a little skiing in between...)

Yes, the PUD has been submitted.  The developer and SMPS agreed on a final site plan last week.  Of course it still has to get City Council approval, but having SMPS support will help to get the District Council support (Lori Boyer) which usually means pretty smooth sailling.  Although, I don't want to get ahead of myself and assume anything.

Sorry to say, Ock, that they won't be going with a themed building facade.  It will be the prototype Panera, that we felt was compatible with the neighorhood.  The old main utility building will be relatively untouched with the exception of a few entrance features that match the existing style.

Here is a photo I took today after the demolition of the small utility buildings where Panera's new building will go.



Here is a sample elevation of Panera's prototype (there will NOT be a drive-thru, however):

[ben says]

What exactly would it take to get a Trader Joe's here?

Lets find out and get Shad Khan on it!

That, or firebomb their corporate inbox with requests...

FYI Ben, I have "friends" high in the Andes of Colombia that could probably arrange whatever you have in mind. 

OCK

Are your friends "high" in the Andes? Or hiiiiigh in the Andres? Either way, let's get them on it.

[TheProfessor]

I was told directly by a higher up person at Trader Joe's that they are opening a Gainesville, Fl store.  They will expand to Jax eventually I'm sure.