Walkable Commercial Districts: San Marco Square

[Metro Jacksonville]

Walkable Commercial Districts: San Marco Square



Jacksonville's urban core is home to a number of historic walkable neighborhood commercial districts. Many are a direct result of the defunct 60-mile Jacksonville streetcar network, which was operated by the Jacksonville Traction Company. Today, Metro Jacksonville highlights a popular destination along the former South Jacksonville Municipal Railways (Jacksonville's MUNI) streetcar line: San Marco Square


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-jul-walkable-commercial-districts-san-marco-square

[Noone]

Another nice article about Jacksonville's history.

[simms3]

San Marco might be my favorite neighborhood in Jacksonville.  Looks like the Balis Park dedication is in Hebrew.  Any idea what it says?

[acme54321]

Actually, I think it's Arabic.  Not postitive though.

[dougskiles]

The one problem is the vast amount of asphalt in the Square.  Walking from one side to the next can be treacherous.

Do you have any information about the building currently occupied by AT&T at the corner of Hendricks and Alford?

[ben says]

It's Arabic, and I believe it's just a translation of the quote above it.

I agree, Doug, about the vast amount of asphalt and the treacherous walk. Moreover, with the new construction that never seems to end, it looks like it's only getting vaster/more open at that end (and therefore, probably going to be more treacherous).

[sandyshoes]

I seem to recall that the gazebo was erected on the very site where Mr. Balis was murdered at his Gulf station, back in the 1980's, during a robbery.  Does anyone else recall this?  It was very, very sad as he was apparently well-liked in the neighborhood. 

[aubureck]

I love that area.  My 4yo loves anything "downtown" (which she thinks is any grouping of two or more buildings above 3 stories tall).  I brought her to San Marco Square on Friday and we walked around the area, had lunch at San Marco Deli, played in the bookstore and the fountain.  I also told her that this is what "downtown" was like, a place where you can park your car and walk around and visit a lot of stores and places.

[tg]

Great article.

Is Setzer's the only supermarket that has been in the area? I am curious how long San Maco has been without a proper grocery. This leads to also ask if there are any updates on the East San Marco Publix development?

[ben says]

Great article.

Is Setzer's the only supermarket that has been in the area? I am curious how long San Maco has been without a proper grocery. This leads to also ask if there are any updates on the East San Marco Publix development?

I remember as a kid there was a Pic N' Save where Setzers used to be. Not a "true" grocery store, but pretty close. Used to love that place.

I, too, am curious about the East San Marco development.

[Tacachale]

Hands down one of the best areas of Jacksonville. Now if only we can get a grocery store...

[peestandingup]

Everyone likes what they like, but it's honestly my least favorite of all the urban neighborhoods. I appreciate that it's there & think it has tons going for it, but as far as "look & feel", it's not my cup of tea. It's looking more & more suburban lately, esp with the cramming in of vehicles into every nook & cranny (a lot like Avondale in that respect). I mean, could someone who didn't know really be able to tell the difference between SM square & a newer "urban style" smaller shopping district in the suburbs? Not because of just the cars lined up, but it just has that feel to me.

Personally, I think Five Points, King Street, Springfield & even parts of Downtown have a lot more character & are a lot more interesting overall. And still look very much urban. Again, I'm not saying one area is "better" than another (everyone likes different things).

[Bewler]

Hands down one of the best areas of Jacksonville. Now if only we can get a grocery store...

Take action Tacachale! March into city hall and demand that they put a Piggly Wiggly in the lot across from Laylas.

[thelakelander]

Everyone likes what they like, but it's honestly my least favorite of all the urban neighborhoods. I appreciate that it's there & think it has tons going for it, but as far as "look & feel", it's not my cup of tea. It's looking more & more suburban lately, esp with the cramming in of vehicles into every nook & cranny (a lot like Avondale in that respect). I mean, could someone who didn't know really be able to tell the difference between SM square & a newer "urban style" smaller shopping district in the suburbs? Not because of just the cars lined up, but it just has that feel to me.

Personally, I think Five Points, King Street, Springfield & even parts of Downtown have a lot more character & are a lot more interesting overall. And still look very much urban. Again, I'm not saying one area is "better" than another (everyone likes different things).

Sounds like you're a fan of urban grit?  I don't mean this as a negative.  There's a whole bunch of urban grit lovers at skyscraperpage.com who share images of their city's grit regularly.  It was one of my main draws to online forums initially.

[BrooklynSouth]

Huh. I've never seen the monument to Abla Balis, but the Arabic script makes me very curious. I just read about how the development of Whiteway Corner on King Street was by the Nasrallah brothers, and I saw an slef-published autobiography at the Jacksonville Historical Society about an early Arab resident. I also know that a survivor of the Titanic completed her trip to Jacksonville, one Jamila Nicola-Yarred from Lebanon. http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/titanic-survivor/jamila-amelia-garrett-nicola-yarred.html

Hovan has been in Five Points for a long time and Palestinian familes run Casbah and Pinegrove Deli. What is the Arab history of Jacksonville?