McDonalds coming Downtown

[I-10east]

I can care less if the layout of the Family Dollar, and Mc Donalds are so called 'suburban' style, or as I call it 'regular' style (It's not like they are deep in the heart on Laura St or something; Regular style planned buildings draw people, not deter them with bad parking situations) my beef is with all of these Family Dollars being built on the exact same corridor, with the most recent being the one on Kings Rd and Myrtle. Are we gonna be renamed Family-Dollarville?

[Keith-N-Jax]

Family Dollar and a McDonalds,, ok. I'm sure they'll line up for this.

[duvaldude08]

I can care less if the layout of the Family Dollar, and Mc Donalds are so called 'suburban' style, or as I call it 'regular' style (It's not like they are deep in the heart on Laura St or something; Regular style planned buildings draw people, not deter them with bad parking situations) my beef is with all of these Family Dollars being built on the exact same corridor, with the most recent being the one on Kings Rd and Myrtle. Are we gonna be renamed Family-Dollarville?

Its not here I-10. Its across the country. The economy has driven  up the demand for stores like dollar general and family dollar. I mean we dont complain about Wal mart's being on every other block. In general for what Im seeing (as I expected) everyone pretty much doesnt care. But here my questions, would you rather see this, or absolutely nothing downtown? To me, if I stayed downtown, I would be exctied that things of that nature are in such a short distance. I mean seriously, the only fast food joint we have downtown is burger king, and the only grocery store is winn dixie. Other than that, you have to drive way down main street, or go in the opposite direction into riverside for common amenities.

[I-10east]

^^^Actually people do complain about Wal-Mart (not you and me) besides, Wal-Marts aren't lined up in a relatively short stretch of corridor in Jax. I just wish that they would switch it up a little bit with so many Family Dollars being in such a short stretch of urban area, it's like a monopoly or something; There's nothing wrong with a lil' competition with a Dollar General (I understand that it's basically the same store) or a Dollar Tree being thrown in there. I think the Mc Donalds is a good fit. I agree that something is better than nothing, and both Mc Donalds, and FD will be very profitable, as you mentioned with hardly nothing being in that immediate area. 

[Adam W]

I can't wait for the Family Dollar.  Those modern steel buildings look just great, and they are so economical!

It may not be ideal, but it's better than nothing. At least something is happening.

[duvaldude08]

^^^Actually people do complain about Wal-Mart (not you and me) besides, Wal-Marts aren't lined up in a relatively short stretch of corridor in Jax. I just wish that they would switch it up a little bit with so many Family Dollars being in such a short stretch of urban area, it's like a monopoly or something; There's nothing wrong with a lil' competition with a Dollar General (I understand that it's basically the same store) or a Dollar Tree being thrown in there. I think the Mc Donalds is a good fit. I agree that something is better than nothing, and both Mc Donalds, and FD will be very profitable, as you mentioned with hardly nothing being in that immediate area.

Dollar General are popping up everywhere also. They are usually next door or across the street from Family dollar. I go to Dollar General quite often actually. I find stuff cheaper in their that is extremely high in the grocery store. ever since the downturn in the economy, business has been booming for those stores. And more than likely will be for a VERY long time at the rate this country is going. And I was actually talking to someone recently about the lack of fast food resturants downtown. I only have a 45 minute lunch. I hate leaving here and having to drive so far just to ride through the drive through, leave and come back to work and eat at my desk. When the one gets built downtown, I will be there quite often. As a downtown worker, there are never enough food options 

[wsansewjs]

I can't understand people shop at Family Dollar when NONE of their shit are even one dollar like Dollar Tree.

For example, a recent visit to the Family Dollar shows that 2x of sponges cost $4.19 when I could buy Wal-Mart's pack of 2x sponges of the same kind for $3.69

KISS MY A$$, Family Dollar.

-Josh

[duvaldude08]

I can't understand people shop at Family Dollar when NONE of their shit are even one dollar like Dollar Tree.

For example, a recent visit to the Family Dollar shows that 2x of sponges cost $4.19 when I could buy Wal-Mart's pack of 2x sponges of the same kind for $3.69

KISS MY A$$, Family Dollar.

-Josh

I said the same thing before, but then I realized, who cares? dollar tree does not have name brand stuff. Ive bought some of the off brand, boot legged food from there before and I will never again. Id' rather pay a dollar or two more at the other stores.

[wsansewjs]

I can't understand people shop at Family Dollar when NONE of their shit are even one dollar like Dollar Tree.

For example, a recent visit to the Family Dollar shows that 2x of sponges cost $4.19 when I could buy Wal-Mart's pack of 2x sponges of the same kind for $3.69

KISS MY A$$, Family Dollar.

-Josh

I said the same thing before, but then I realized, who cares? dollar tree does not have name brand stuff. Ive bought some of the off brand, boot legged food from there before and I will never again. Id' rather pay a dollar or two more at the other stores.

Why you buy food there? You should known better than that. I buy things at dollar tree that are going to be trashed or used fully. I will never buy any food from these stores. Sponges are expensive as an example, and they are going to be trashed / used up as well, so I think its cheaper to go these stores to acquire them to save money and still get the same benefits.

-Josh

[thelakelander]

I can care less if the layout of the Family Dollar, and Mc Donalds are so called 'suburban' style, or as I call it 'regular' style (It's not like they are deep in the heart on Laura St or something; Regular style planned buildings draw people, not deter them with bad parking situations) my beef is with all of these Family Dollars being built on the exact same corridor, with the most recent being the one on Kings Rd and Myrtle. Are we gonna be renamed Family-Dollarville?

Actually, what Family Dollar was allowed to do to New Town's main commercial intersection was horrible.  There is clearly a particular historic scale and development pattern along Myrtle Avenue that was completely ignored.  That type of building product would have never been allowed in a community like Riverside or San Marco.  Family Dollar would get tar & feathered if they attempted to put that thing up in Shops of Avondale, San Marco Square or Five Points.  Well, Kings Road and Myrtle Avenue are.....were....New Town's version of the districts mentioned above.

As for how things are constructed on State & Union, we should care.  Those streets could easily become decent commercial corridors bringing several urban communities together instead of severing them.  Having a Family Dollar, 7-11 or McDonald's aren't the issue.  In this stretch, bringing together or further severing communities simply boils down to pedestrian scale site planning.

For example, If I had a choice, I'd rather see this type of McDonalds site layout on State Street


Than this one....



Same use, same building product but completely different vibe and interaction when placed in a district where there is a larger number of pedestrians.

[JeffreyS]

Yes on state street the only thing they need to try to do is push the doors to the side walk.

[duvaldude08]

I can care less if the layout of the Family Dollar, and Mc Donalds are so called 'suburban' style, or as I call it 'regular' style (It's not like they are deep in the heart on Laura St or something; Regular style planned buildings draw people, not deter them with bad parking situations) my beef is with all of these Family Dollars being built on the exact same corridor, with the most recent being the one on Kings Rd and Myrtle. Are we gonna be renamed Family-Dollarville?

Actually, what Family Dollar was allowed to do to New Town's main commercial intersection was horrible.  There is clearly a particular historic scale and development pattern along Myrtle Avenue that was completely ignored.  That type of building product would have never been allowed in a community like Riverside or San Marco.  Family Dollar would get tar & feathered if they attempted to put that thing up in Shops of Avondale, San Marco Square or Five Points.  Well, Kings Road and Myrtle Avenue are.....were....New Town's version of the districts mentioned above.

As for how things are constructed on State & Union, we should care.  Those streets could easily become decent commercial corridors bringing several urban communities together instead of severing them.  Having a Family Dollar, 7-11 or McDonald's aren't the issue.  In this stretch, bringing together or further severing communities simply boils down to pedestrian scale site planning.

For example, If I had a choice, I'd rather see this type of McDonalds site layout on State Street


Than this one....



Same use, same building product but completely different vibe and interaction when placed in a district where there is a larger number of pedestrians.

Lake,

What are the design standards for this particular corridor of downtown? Are they going to give them heck about the design,  like they are doing about that proposed parking garage? I dont know much about this stuff that is why Im asking lol

[tufsu1]

Family Dollar and a McDonalds,, ok. I'm sure they'll line up for this.

you know they will

[thelakelander]

As for Warren, he’ll be moving his used car business after 23 years on State Street.

“When we moved down here, we had about 90,000 people working downtown,” he said. “Now everybody’s moved to Deerwood. We used to sell 45-50 cars a month, now we’re doing nothing.
“And the dadgum taxes are out of sight.”

He said he once paid $6,000 a year in property taxes, now it’s more than $28,000. He’s even got it broken down by the week: $543.

“The new mayor, he’s trying to rejuvenate it, and I think he probably will. But we can’t keep throwing dollars out on the street.”

full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/2012-06-26/story/warren-motors-leaving-state-street-after-agreeing-sell-family-dollar

[duvaldude08]

I hate to break it to him but I think it has more to do with the dealership just running its course and the porperty taxes going up, than it not being as many workers downtown. With the vehicle counts that comes through, he shouldnt have any problems selling cars. Warren motors used to be popular are one  point and you would hear about them alot, then people just stopped buying there. I bought a car there in 2002 and I did not work downtown at the time. By word of mouth, somebody just told me to go check them out. Got a decent car, but after two years I had started problem after problem starting with the transmission ( I know that can happen with any used car, just saying).