new residential downtown

[southsider1015]

The huge granite and concrete fronts of the mega-buildings seem cold and dead to the street traffic, and of course, cannot contribute to offering small-to-medium lease space for businesses unless the owners were to "open" the street-level floors of some of these larger buildings -- when the time comes.  Making available all these street level spaces, and providing reasonable rent, will be a great way to entice new businesses into the core.

I'm no expert in urban development, but the concrete facade can't be helping.  It feels too cold and industrial walking downtown, and this is coming from a construction guy who loves the smell of asphalt and timber.  It needs to feel open, warm and sunny, like Florida. 

Anyway, best of luck to your new business, whichever type you choose.  Once you get it up and running, I'll pop in and spend some money.

[tufsu1]

First of all, I'd love to see a "bike sharing" station out front (this wouldn't require any sq footage, just some sidewalk space). I recently came back from Columbus, OH and they had them everywhere. I usually ride my bike to the Jags games and use the free bike valet... It would be awesome to see more people biking downtown and be able to have my friends rent a bike when they come over.

bike share is in process.  It is likely that hemming Plaza (perhaps near the Skyway station) is where a station would be located.

[edjax]

^^so in process.  In Jacksonville talk that means in the next few years??

[tufsu1]

Yes...in the next few years

[simms3]

My votes would be for the following, taking into consideration location, the space, and the size:

1) Bread Pudding place (think fro-yo, but you choose the "bread", toppings, and the syrups that you want).  Could do something else specialized like grilled cheese, ramen (educate yourself here before attempting...though Jaxsons probably aren't versed in the many styles like an Asian dominant SF population might be), pho, schwarma, etc etc

2) Shoe shop (sells men's/women's shoes, generally midrange with an emphasis on contemporary styles, and a business that does shoe repair/shoe shine and sells accessories such as cedar planks and shining wax)

3) An excellent soup place that mainly serves to go (I guess maybe mixing it up by specializing in ramen or pho or something not or not commonly found in Jax/DT)

4) A record shop that specializes in something not easily found in NE FL

5) A sundries that specializes in unique cards/gifts and always offers fresh cut flowers (brought in daily or every other day from one of the local flower shops) and nice romance gifts for workers to take home to loved ones


Remember your audience.  If you want to be a destination, you need to do something truly unique that you think will be a sell for the market (I'm thinking along the lines of #1).  Otherwise you need to cater to downtown workers and the spare resident (who probably also works DT).

Also, who's the operator and do you already own the building?  Are you looking to operate as your business, hiring folks who can run what you're looking to run, or are you looking to sign a lease?  I still find that there are too many unanswered questions that matter for the "general public" such as ourselves to give you ideas.

[ProjectMaximus]

My votes would be for the following, taking into consideration location, the space, and the size:

1) Bread Pudding place (think fro-yo, but you choose the "bread", toppings, and the syrups that you want).  Could do something else specialized like grilled cheese, ramen (educate yourself here before attempting...though Jaxsons probably aren't versed in the many styles like an Asian dominant SF population might be), pho, schwarma, etc etc
...

3) An excellent soup place that mainly serves to go (I guess maybe mixing it up by specializing in ramen or pho or something not or not commonly found in Jax/DT)

Yes!! For years I've been pining to open a ramen place in Jax (because of the "be the change you want to see in the city" mentality, not because of any ability or restaurant experience...which I don't have) I really want some good homemade asian noodle restaurant or ramen shop. That and Korean Fried Chicken. I think that would do well here...ramen maybe not so much.

As for pho, there's already lots of pretty good pho places throughout the city, including downtown and the urban core. Vietnamese population is decent here.

[ronchamblin]

Remember your audience.  If you want to be a destination, you need to do something truly unique that you think will be a sell for the market (I'm thinking along the lines of #1).  Otherwise you need to cater to downtown workers and the spare resident (who probably also works DT).

Also, who's the operator and do you already own the building?  Are you looking to operate as your business, hiring folks who can run what you're looking to run, or are you looking to sign a lease?  I still find that there are too many unanswered questions that matter for the "general public" such as ourselves to give you ideas.

To recap a little -- I bought the building about two years ago for $300K .. and currently owe about $200K.  Am just now beginning to clean out, and in a few months will begin renovating the three floors, making the two upper floors into apartments, each floor having three apartments.  The apartments are already spoken for -- without advertising them.  I have one more tenant, just in case somebody doesn't follow through. I will be borrowing about $600K to "do" the renovation.

So.... the ground floor use is my problem.  Nothing has come to mind with impact so far; that is, for "me" to operate.  I could of course, simply build it out with plumbing etc, for a restaurant, and see who wants to lease it.  Although I could operate some kind of business myself in the spot, I am already occupied with my bookstore operation, and therefore am entertaining the idea of leasing to someone with an idea, the knowledge, and the energy to "do" an exciting fit for the area.

As I said before, my primary objective is not necessarily high profit, but it is to discover the best overall draw for the DT core area: especially something to be a draw for as many hours of the day as possible; i. e. ... not a place opening only during lunch. 

The ideal would be to open something not existing in the outlying areas of the city, as this would tend to draw people into to DT.  For example, my bookstore in DT at times will be the "only" place in northeast Florida which has a particular book title ...and on the rare occasion, the title is not on the Internet.  This scenario almost "forces" the customer to drive into the DT core.  Therefore, the more the new operation approaches the "unique" ... the better, as it will promote downtown visits...... which brings up the parking issue. 

A digression ..... I still encounter the problem of "perception" about the "problem" of parking in the DT.  Even today, a customer at my Roosevelt store said ... "Well, I would go to your DT store, but I can't find parking".  The "parking problem", whether real or imagined, is in the mind of many these days, and apparently discourages potential business owners to open in the DT, and discourages "outsiders" from entering the DT to shop or visit.

The long-term solution might be the elimination of some of the meters, the establishment of some kind of mass transit to the DT so that people could get to DT "without having to use their autos", and last.... educate the public to the fact that the parking is not that bad, if they would use the various multilevel parking facilities throughout DT. 

We might note that once more DT destinations exist, if they ever do, there will be more places to which outsiders might wish to visit, and therefore it would make more sense for them to park for longer periods in DT -- which means that they would be more inclined to use the longer-term multilevel parking facilities.  Currently, people usually want to go to only one place or event in the DT during a visit, and therefore they want to park on the street ... which can be risky because of "tickets".  Who wants to visit DT if they must fear the "ticket man" every time.  Perhaps we should even the playing field, and limit parking times in all parking lots in the county to two hours.  Talk about revenue for the city.

I hope the above gives a little insight into my problem of what to do with the ground floor of the 225 Laura St. building.  As I've said, some people have a business idea, and search for a place to lease.  I have a "space" to operate a business, but do not have a business idea.  That's why I entertain leasing the space to anyone who does have an idea, and the experience and energy to push it through.

Fundamentally, the decision as to whether I would do best to lease out the space or to operate my own business there, will depend on how much somebody is willing to pay for rent.  If I cannot get much out of the space via rent payments, it might be best for me to operate my own business in the space. 

Once "the" idea for the space comes to mind, whether it is something I operate myself, or somebody leases the space to run their own operation, then all will be set for go.     

[jason_contentdg]

I say gut the interior, make it an exterior space, put in some picnic tables, a couple bathrooms...and park a couple rotating food trucks in there. Or just make it a straight dining area and restroom area for the trucks parked at hemming plaza and lease the space to them or the city.

[southsider1015]

I completly agree about the "lack of parking DT" mentality.  This seems to be one of the biggest problems with bringing suburbanites, including myself, DT.  We've been so whipped into paranoia about getting a parking ticket that its so much nicer and less stressful to head to the SJTC, Avenues, or even Regency to avoid DT. 

It doesn't matter what the City does to the Landing. Throw money at it to open it up, add some art, make it pretty, whatever.  If Southside, Beaches, St Johns, Westside, or North side suburbanites can't park or even think they can't park, they aren't coming.  If they don't come to spend money, DT remains stagnant.  Period.

Anyway, I applaud you in your efforts.  The small business community is an important element of this puzzle.  Don't rush it, and don't push it.  Assemble the right team or person to do it right.  This thread actually had me a bit excited about DT development.

[thelakelander]

I believe downtown can become a vibrant "neighborhood" and business center without totally catering to suburbanites. I'd argue that a primary reason for its struggles comes from placing more priority on attracting suburbanites for short visits than making a place urbanites prefer to live in.

[ronchamblin]

I completly agree about the "lack of parking DT" mentality.  This seems to be one of the biggest problems with bringing suburbanites, including myself, DT.  We've been so whipped into paranoia about getting a parking ticket that its so much nicer and less stressful to head to the SJTC, Avenues, or even Regency to avoid DT. 

It doesn't matter what the City does to the Landing. Throw money at it to open it up, add some art, make it pretty, whatever.  If Southside, Beaches, St Johns, Westside, or North side suburbanites can't park or even think they can't park, they aren't coming.  If they don't come to spend money, DT remains stagnant.  Period.

Anyway, I applaud you in your efforts.  The small business community is an important element of this puzzle.  Don't rush it, and don't push it.  Assemble the right team or person to do it right.  This thread actually had me a bit excited about DT development.

I agree with your idea of not rushing.  At some point, a great and solid idea will arrive in somebody's mind.  Perhaps they will be kind enough to convey it ...... that the idea will so good, that to pass it by would be almost foolish.  The problem is that so many "customer demands" are met by the existing peripheral areas.  The trick is to find a unique (as some have said) use, which will be a draw to DT .... something either not available in the suburbs, or something that will have enough DT customer patronage.

I believe downtown can become a vibrant "neighborhood" and business center without totally catering to suburbanites. I'd argue that a primary reason for its struggles comes from placing more priority on attracting suburbanites for short visits than making a place urbanites prefer to live in.

Makes too much sense Lake.  To hell with the suburbanites.  Let's make a place for "us".... those who are in DT, and those who wish to enter.  Let's build the DT without focusing on drawing from outside.  We might even think about making the DT a gated core.    Seriously though, I think you've hit a good point about not focusing on drawing suburbanites. 

Must get to work.

[finehoe]

I'd argue that a primary reason for its struggles comes from placing more priority on attracting suburbanites for short visits than making a place urbanites prefer to live in.

Truth.

[Tacachale]

I think it's both. There are too few people living in the downtown core for it not to cater to people living outside it, and those people by and large drive. I think everyone agrees the current parking situation can be frustrating regardless of the visitor's mentality. There are certainly ways to improve the current (over)supply of parking to make downtown more user friendly.

On the other hand, there are plenty of people who'll never be satisfied without dedicated parking immediately in front of where they're going. This isn't possible if we want a true urban environment, so there's only so far parking solutions will go. At a point there needs to be an understanding that this is one way an urban environment will differ from a suburban one.

[southsider1015]

I believe downtown can become a vibrant "neighborhood" and business center without totally catering to suburbanites. I'd argue that a primary reason for its struggles comes from placing more priority on attracting suburbanites for short visits than making a place urbanites prefer to live in.

Maybe I'm biased because I am a suburbanite.  Fact of the matter is that although they may be TRYING to cater to suburbanites, its frankly not working.  What are some of the latest developments in trying to cater to suburbanites?

I just see "us" as those who have money to spend, and we're getting sick of Capital Grill and the rest of SJTC.  I believe both urbanites and suburbanites are required for a vibrant DT.  Can it start from those who currently live there?  I'm no expert. 

[blizz01]

What about something specific to Jacksonville & it's history - keepsakes that might cater to locals & travelers?  Vintage items (old maps, books, the prospect of locally re-purposed (think industrial/steampunk) items, windows, doors, office furniture - all with a local influence exclusively.  And obviously, there's no shortage of home grown confections, coffees, BBQ sauce(s), and/or beers as well if you wanted to supplement.  I know that on more than one occasion, I've had folks on the hunt for a memento and/or souvenir beyond the obligatory airport taffy with an alligator on the box.  Local advertising, street signs, salvaged brick pavers, an Emory bike, a coffee mug from the Fox, Old Swisher cigar boxes, vintage postcards, music, photos, etc. etc.

How do your local books (Images of America / Arcadia Publishing) sell at the front of Chamblin's?  I know that I've purchased a few.  I presume that there must be some strategy and logic in keeping them by the register.

When not cleaning teeth, my wife dabbles with antiques & vintage items down in Clay County as a hobby - it's always the local stuff that consistently moves as long as it "tells the story".  Locally embossed bottles (Coke, etc.), Rhodes furniture souvenir plate(s), JAX Beer advertising......Civic pride still runs rampant in North Florida, IMO.

My 2¢.  Good luck & thanks for soliciting feedback.  Perhaps you could set up a "Build Your Dream Shop" kiosk during One Spark.