300 new GE jobs coming to Jacksonville......but not Downtown.

[Bill Hoff]

Or even near Downtown.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-05-08/story/ge-working-capital-solutions-opening-jacksonville-office-could-hire-300

Come on.

So, when this new Downtown group (DDA or whomever) finally passes through City Council, do we expect them to come up with a new plan or initiative to attract these types of companies to open Downtown?

Everything related to signifcant Downtown revitalization seems to be on hold until this group gets through Council, but are there any discussions (that people can disclose) about what they plan on actually doing once in place?

[tufsu1]

not everyone is going to locate downtown....heck, even metro. areas with successful downtowns often have less than 20% of the region's workforce in their CBD (the main exception is NYC).

In the end, this is still good for the City....and somewhat (and albeit only slightly) better than having them locate in St. Johns County

[Tacachale]

It's a lot better than having them locate in St. Johns, and much better than having them not come to Jacksonville at all. Not as good as downtown, clearly, but as tufsu1 says, not everyone will come downtown.

[jcjohnpaint]

But, If these downtown organizations, whatever they be, or Redman does not get their asses in gear... nothing will go downtown.  That is a problem.  As for business in Jax: that is good. 

[fsujax]

Still plenty of office space to fill up Downtown. Heck, even after Everbank moves in the tower will only be 70% occupied. We all know that not everything will locate Downtown, but some wins are nice every now and then. I felt the same way when Deustsche Bank located off Gate Pkwy. Why not Downtown? I would like to know if the discussions even took place.

[bill]

Still plenty of office space to fill up Downtown. Heck, even after Everbank moves in the tower will only be 70% occupied. We all know that not everything will locate Downtown, but some wins are nice every now and then. I felt the same way when Deustsche Bank located off Gate Pkwy. Why not Downtown? I would like to know if the discussions even took place.

Cheaper,  nicer, newer, safer, closer to workers homes and with free parking

[cityimrov]

GE Working Capital Solutions will use the Jacksonville office as an accounts receivables management center.

Think about this for a minute. 

[fsujax]

i dont know how it can get any nicer than the BofA tower, the views and restaurants within walking distance you can't beat. Safer? thats debateable. Closer to their homes and free parking, OK I can give you that one.

[duvaldude08]

i dont know how it can get any nicer than the BofA tower, the views and restaurants within walking distance you can't beat. Safer? thats debateable. Closer to their homes and free parking, OK I can give you that one.

I stay on the westside and I work downtown. Downtown is much closer than if I worked on the southside. That would actually be a nightmare drive to work. Downtown is the central point of the city  o matter where you live in town. So the location thing is debateable too.

[tufsu1]

^ downtown may be the central point for the City of Jacksonville, but not the metro area....more and more people are living in northern St. Johns and Clay counties...which is closer for them?

[bill]

i dont know how it can get any nicer than the BofA tower, the views and restaurants within walking distance you can't beat. Safer? thats debateable. Closer to their homes and free parking, OK I can give you that one.

I stay on the westside and I work downtown. Downtown is much closer than if I worked on the southside. That would actually be a nightmare drive to work. Downtown is the central point of the city  o matter where you live in town. So the location thing is debateable too.

Safer is not debateable(whether real or percieved). Location is not either as the vast majority of the workers live in the Beaches, SS or SJC. There are a few nice buildings DT but they are much more expensive.

[Tacachale]

The idea that Downtown is less "safe" is nonsense. It's one of the safest parts of town. And that's just crime. Southside is certainly not "safer" for pedestrians or those needing to go to the hospital.

[bill]

The idea that Downtown is less "safe" is nonsense. It's one of the safest parts of town. And that's just crime. Southside is certainly not "safer" for pedestrians or those needing to go to the hospital.

Ask 100 people and see what they say

[cline]

Not really shocking where they are locating.  Southside is becoming the hub for businesses now.  As Bill mentioned, it is more centrally located to where employees live.  For better or for worse.

[copperfiend]

I saw the GE signs off St Augustine Rd this morning. I guess now I know why.

As far as hospital access, this is about a minute from Baptist South. Not that it is probably a big consideration.