new residential downtown

[tlemans]

Hello everyone. I have not posted in years on this site. I wanted to know if the new courthouse will bring with it new development to that part of downtown? I remember a while ago there was talk about some of the buildings in that area were going to be redeveloped.

[fsujax]

nothing has happened as of yet.

[JFman00]

Hello everyone. I have not posted in years on this site. I wanted to know if the new courthouse will bring with it new development to that part of downtown? I remember a while ago there was talk about some of the buildings in that area were going to be redeveloped.

Quite a few buildings around the courthouse site with mixed-use potential are for sale, for exorbitant prices. Same story on a .25 acre lot next to 220 Riverside listed for $450,000. At prices like that and with the mixed record with which Jax has pursued downtown revitalization, I'm not surprised at the lack of progress.

[BackinJax05]

Where will the residents park their cars? I know in that part of downtown most stuff is within walking distance, but the rest of the city is spread out the wazoo.

[ronchamblin]

Update:

Gus's Shoe Repair, having moved to his new location on Adams, has allowed the cleaning out of the 225 Laura building.  So far, two large loads have gone to the dump near 301 and I-10.

This "bump" on the thread is to ask my MJ friends for some ideas about what to do with the first floor of the building. I know that the upper two floors will have three apartments per level ... all of which have already been spoken for, such is the apparent demand for apartments in the core -- especially overlooking Hemming.

I had planned originally to either operate a restaurant on the first floor, or to lease it out for someone else to operate their own restaurant.

However, I have recently thought of how boring this would be. Another restaurant?  I need some help with ideas, and am thinking that some of you might be able to offer constructive ideas as to the use of the first floor.  The size is about 2,300 sq. ft.

So far, I've entertained the following:

ONE: A rare book store, having the finer books which I've been storing in my warehouse.  These would be the finer books, and a little pricy ... items which we usually sell online.  The operation would be by appointment only.  Someone working at the existing bookstore would simply open next door for the customer who seems serious about purchasing high end books.

TWO: A science/technology museum/store.  This would remind some of Rolabes (Sp.??), which existed in town during the sixties and seventies perhaps.  In any case, I would like to have on display certain contraptions/mechanisms/items/models etc, which would show certain fundamental principle of physics and chemistry .... and even mechanics.

The purpose would be to educate the young and the old as to these principles.  It would be a place to which school classes could visit to observe interesting science. and mechanics.

Also, the place could offer for sale some of the instruments and tools used in the sciences for measurement and observation.

On reason I look at this possibility is that I am amazed at the number of individuals -- including college graduates -- who are quite ignorant about many fundamental principles in the sciences ...in mechanics...and electricity etc. The displays and experiments would be offered to educate .. .but in an interesting way .... visitors as to these principles.  How would I receive payment for this operation ... other than that of selling instruments etc?  Don't know yet.  Let me say that I am very ignorant of a lot of things, as should be apparent to most.  I do not mean to imply that I think otherwise when I suggest the above kind of effort to educate and "show stuff".       

THREE: Coffee Roaster / Bakery Combo.  This might be a hit downtown if done right. Daily fresh pastries and fresh roasted coffee/espresso products.

FOUR: A Pizza Place.  Call it... Core Pizza.

FIVE: ?

Although making money and profit is important, making high profits is not my primary objective.  My objective is to contribute to the core something that will add the "most interest, uniqueness, and excitement to the core" -- thus, the biggest draw to the core.   

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

In other words .... what am I missing ... regarding needs and opportunities?     

[ronchamblin]

Okay ... I see the reason for no responses.  Instead of the following...

This "bump" on the thread is to ask my MJ friends for some ideas about what to do with the first floor of the building.

.... how about the following:

This "bump" on the thread is to ask my MJ friends, and those who are not my friends, for some ideas about what to do with the first floor of the building.

This change hopefully will increase the number of individuals who might offer ideas.

[urbanlibertarian]

Ron, what about a business that exists nearby now but is closed nights and weekends that you think provides a synergy with your existing business.  Something that would help make your block more of an "oasis in the desert" and therefore more attractive to customers.

[billy]

It would great, if not practical, to have a good newsstand.

[Apache]

A good Sporting Goods store. There's nothing anywhere near the core or Riverside, Avondale or Ortega for that matter. Not sure about San Marco. They have a 1st Place Sports but that's mainly running.
Combo it with a bike shop.

Then figure out how to sell craft beer there to and you can't lose.

[I-10east]

My vote is for Core Pizza.

[JeffreyS]

A flower shop, a premium baby boutique (Jacksonville does not have any), an ethnic food and spice store or a yoga studio.

[JeffreyS]

a haberdashery.

[JeffreyS]

[thelakelander]

Another option is to utilize it as a pop up/business incubator type of space:

http://blog.thestorefront.com/what-exactly-is-a-pop-up-shop/

[ronchamblin]

Ron, what about a business that exists nearby now but is closed nights and weekends that you think provides a synergy with your existing business.  Something that would help make your block more of an "oasis in the desert" and therefore more attractive to customers.

Been gone for a spell .... good to see some words.

What or which do you mean?  Which specific place?

It would great, if not practical, to have a good newsstand.

Print media newsstand?  Sounds good, but I doubt if it would go.  I don't know if you remember when I opened in 2006.  I had a wall of magazines (35' or so).  Not enough sold.  Some moved out via theft, but somehow that didn't bring any money in.  But yes, too bad I could not duplicate something like the Old Five Points stand or the one downtown.  These days?  I think the time for print newsstands are about over..... surviving only in very high density areas like NY.

A good Sporting Goods store. There's nothing anywhere near the core or Riverside, Avondale or Ortega for that matter. Not sure about San Marco. They have a 1st Place Sports but that's mainly running.
Combo it with a bike shop.

Then figure out how to sell craft beer there to and you can't lose.

Only have 2,300 sq ft. I wonder if there would be enough business to support a sporting goods store.  Now ... the bike shop might be possible ..... sorta looking ahead when they might be more popular.  But again, there are so many shops around already. That's the problem .... seems like everything I think of is already being taken care of in in the near burbs.
The sports thing might work but... I just wonder if their would be enough business, with the limited foot traffic downtown.

I need to do something unique, to draw people from the outside.

My vote is for Core Pizza.

Would probably be a moneymaker... and in some ways more interesting than some typical restaurants.  Most people "love" pizza.  That's probably on the table. 

A flower shop, a premium baby boutique (Jacksonville does not have any), an ethnic food and spice store or a yoga studio.

What a collection.  But those kind of "different" things is what might draw some to the core.  Hmmmm

a haberdashery.

A haberdashery ...... now that would be interesting ..... seeing how much "stuff" could be placed into the place. 
Or a candy store?  Well .... that actually might be something to be a draw.  Most everybody likes some kind of candy.  Something to think about.