We Love Avondale Attempts to Ruin Christmas Event

[Cheshire Cat]

Okay, I dug deeper into this and find Ms. Grant seems to live in a small bungalow just up the street from myself actually, on the other side of the park.  Her home sits one street over from the shops but not in a location which should impact her via noise, lights etc.  Her location however does not seem one likely to be impacted by parking issues or traffic.  So I don't get the beef here.  I do find that she appears with a J. Donahoo and on her own on a number of properties in the 32204 area code up in Riverside none of which would be impacted by this restaurant.   It is looking more and more like this is a situation where a handful of folks who opposed one persons restaurant idea decided to dig in and try to prevent that restaurant.  The LLC deal just made it more official looking and perhaps easier  to organize others who opposed the restaurant.  I personally think it was "overkill" and intended in some ways to intimidate or give the perception of power.  The action created factitious disorder in my view when in fact those who opposed the restaurant could have spoken to their concerns independently and been effective.  I was want to understand this WLA group but now it is clear the core is key to the Donahoo family and Grant connection and the greatest angst is the fact that from the side of the Thomas Donahoo property one can look down the street to the empty garage location that MM want's to fill.  Again I don't get the real problem here.  How is a functioning restaurant worse than looking at a derelict garage with vehicles parked around it?  Clearly there was more traffic created by an operating gas station so really, what's the problem?   The thing about claiming that the restaurant would cause more traffic or parking issues doesn't wash in my view.  If the complaint is that the restaurant will bring more people than I am beyond baffled because bringing more people to the shops should be nothing but an exciting asset for all business owners.  Regarding parking, at the very worst, for the couple of lunchtime hours there could be more folks looking to park somewhere, but that is mid day.  In the evenings, most shops are closed and there is no parking problem when it comes to patronizing the restaurants.  As far as noise issues, all those in the core WLA group would appear to be equally effected by the activity at the Brick and I don't see them calling on that successful business to leave.   The proponents and opponents have had their say.  The MM people are within their rights to open the restaurant and I don't see as how the actions of WLA are promoting any "love" for Avondale.  All I see here is dissent and divisiveness where there need have been none.  IMO



Diane M.

[MEGATRON]

Is Ms. Grant just mistaken?  Poorly informed?  Or the "front man" for the organization so that any lies can be pinned to her and keep the attorneys who are principals clean?

Or she just makes up stuff and sees what will stick.

[thelakelander]

Again I don't get the real problem here.

Seems like a classic power struggle to me.  However, as long as MM abides by the law, there's not much opponents can do to keep them from coming to the gas station site.

[JHAT76]

Okay, I dug deeper into this and find Ms. Grant seems to live in a small bungalow just up the street from myself actually, on the other side of the park.  Her home sits one street over from the shops but not in a location which should impact her via noise, lights etc.  Her location however does not seem one likely to be impacted by parking issues or traffic.  So I don't get the beef here.  I do find that she appears with a J. Donahoo and on her own on a number of properties in the 32204 area code up in Riverside none of which would be impacted by this restaurant.   It is looking more and more like this is a situation where a handful of folks who opposed one persons restaurant idea decided to dig in and try to prevent that restaurant.  The LLC deal just made it more official looking and perhaps easier than to organize others who opposed the restaurant.  I personally think it was "overkill" and intended in some ways to intimidate or give the perception of power.  The action created factitious disorder in my view when in fact those who opposed the restaurant could have spoken to their concerns independently and been effective.  I was want to understand this WLA group but now it is clear the core is key to the Donahoo family and Grant connection and the greatest angst is the fact that from the side of the Thomas Donahoo property one can look down the street to the empty garage location that MM want's to fill.  Again I am don't get the real problem here.  How is a functioning restaurant worse than looking at a derelict garage with vehicles parked around it.  Clearly there was more traffic created by an operating gas station so really, what's the beef here?   The thing about claiming that the restaurant would cause more traffic or parking issues doesn't wash in my view.  At the worst, for the couple of lunchtime hours there could be more folks looking to park, but that is mid day.  In the evenings, most shops are closed and there is no parking problem when it comes to patronizing the restaurants.  As far as noise issues, all those in the core WLA group would appear to be equally effected by the activity at the Brick and I don't see them calling on that successful business to leave.  The proponents and opponents have had their say.  The MM people are within their rights to open the restaurant and I don't see as how the actions of WLA are promoting and "love" for Avondale.  All I see here is dissent and divisiveness where there need have been none.  IMO


Diane M.

I live right down the street on Riverside.  Closer to Boone Park.  It can get crowded on Riverside.  However this whole issue fails to address that any parking issues will not go away if Mellow Mushroom doesn't come.  Residents and Homeowners use the majority of the street.  On my block we have two houses with 3 - 4 cars for 3 licensed drivers, another with 3 - 4 cars for 2 licensed drivers.  All mainly on the street.  We have 2 multi family rentals that when built back in the day were designed as single family with 0 - 1 autos, but now have 3 - 4 cars for each.  Why is no one pressuring landlords to build parking for renters if so concerned with parking?

Its amusing that the worries about how emergency vehicles can get through the neighborhood vanish when Luminara time, Avondale 5K, or Xmas in Avondale rolls around.  But hey The Merchants approve of these events so they are OK.   

[Cheshire Cat]

Okay, I dug deeper into this and find Ms. Grant seems to live in a small bungalow just up the street from myself actually, on the other side of the park.  Her home sits one street over from the shops but not in a location which should impact her via noise, lights etc.  Her location however does not seem one likely to be impacted by parking issues or traffic.  So I don't get the beef here.  I do find that she appears with a J. Donahoo and on her own on a number of properties in the 32204 area code up in Riverside none of which would be impacted by this restaurant.   It is looking more and more like this is a situation where a handful of folks who opposed one persons restaurant idea decided to dig in and try to prevent that restaurant.  The LLC deal just made it more official looking and perhaps easier than to organize others who opposed the restaurant.  I personally think it was "overkill" and intended in some ways to intimidate or give the perception of power.  The action created factitious disorder in my view when in fact those who opposed the restaurant could have spoken to their concerns independently and been effective.  I was want to understand this WLA group but now it is clear the core is key to the Donahoo family and Grant connection and the greatest angst is the fact that from the side of the Thomas Donahoo property one can look down the street to the empty garage location that MM want's to fill.  Again I am don't get the real problem here.  How is a functioning restaurant worse than looking at a derelict garage with vehicles parked around it.  Clearly there was more traffic created by an operating gas station so really, what's the beef here?   The thing about claiming that the restaurant would cause more traffic or parking issues doesn't wash in my view.  At the worst, for the couple of lunchtime hours there could be more folks looking to park, but that is mid day.  In the evenings, most shops are closed and there is no parking problem when it comes to patronizing the restaurants.  As far as noise issues, all those in the core WLA group would appear to be equally effected by the activity at the Brick and I don't see them calling on that successful business to leave.  The proponents and opponents have had their say.  The MM people are within their rights to open the restaurant and I don't see as how the actions of WLA are promoting and "love" for Avondale.  All I see here is dissent and divisiveness where there need have been none.  IMO


Diane M.

I live right down the street on Riverside.  Closer to Boone Park.  It can get crowded on Riverside.  However this whole issue fails to address that any parking issues will not go away if Mellow Mushroom doesn't come.  Residents and Homeowners use the majority of the street.  On my block we have two houses with 3 - 4 cars for 3 licensed drivers, another with 3 - 4 cars for 2 licensed drivers.  All mainly on the street.  We have 2 multi family rentals that when built back in the day were designed as single family with 0 - 1 autos, but now have 3 - 4 cars for each.  Why is no one pressuring landlords to build parking for renters if so concerned with parking?

Its amusing that the worries about how emergency vehicles can get through the neighborhood vanish when Luminara time, Avondale 5K, or Xmas in Avondale rolls around.  But hey The Merchants approve of these events so they are OK.   

Exactly JHat.  The parking problems have been around for such a long time.  As you point out it appears some can be selective when it comes to when and where traffic is okay.  lol   Avondale is not full of elitist "fuddy duddies" as the actions of a few would make it appear.  There are plenty of open minded, forward thinking folks and families here.  This whole issue as I stated some time back in the thread has been driven by fears and what if's that do not seem to have any real basis considering the reality that shops are a commercial core, have been for  ages and one new restaurant is not going to make or break the neighborhood.  A lot of fear and some selfish agenda's have combined to make a mess that does not reflect well on Avondale, the shops or Jacksonville. 


Diane M.

[Cheshire Cat]

At five pm about an hour from now a closed "mediation" meeting will take place called by councilman Jim Love.  As things stand, the meeting is an effort to close the gap in understanding between some of the involved and interested parties.  While the meeting may or may not resolve some folks issues, the process for Mellow Mushroom is still underway in the planning department and moving forward.  Bottom line is that special interests cannot override lawful and legal process.  MM has followed the rules at every stage and no valid reason has been found to deny the MM project.  Opponents need to turn down the rhetoric as well as supports and step away from all the boycott nonsense etc.  This deal is moving forward.  Time for people to sit back and let the process finish itself according to rules and law.  Simply not liking or wanting a certain restaurant is not grounds by any stretch of the imagination to legally stop the restaurant from opening.



Diane M.

[cline]

special interests cannot override lawful and legal process

That's hilarious.  Thanks for the laugh.

[Intuition Ale Works]

Just got kicked out of the Mellow Mushroom/WLA "compromise" meeting.

John Valentino invited me to attend and Alicia Grant asked that we leave because we do not have a "dog in the fight"

We voluntarily left.

Will be interesting to see what comes of the meeting.

[Intuition Ale Works]

Just got kicked out of the Mellow Mushroom/WLA "compromise" meeting.

John Valentino invited me to attend and Alicia Grant asked that we leave because we do not have a "dog in the fight"

We voluntarily left.

Will be interesting to see what comes of the meeting.

As a fellow businessman you have just as much of a dog as she does.

I would have thanked her for her concern and stayed.  But then Im kind of stubborn that way.

I agree. Just did not want to be a distraction and Alicia Grant had a look that was very scary...

I do not think much is going to come of the meeting anyway.

[Cheshire Cat]

Cline, I know that some have special interest pull and it is often used in this city.  I should have said "in this instance" they will not override the lawful process.  I am pretty confident about that now.  After doing some further checking and making a series of inquiries I have found that while some of these folks can kick up a fuss, they are not influencing this process to the degree they hoped they would.  That is a good thing in this case I believe. 




Diane

[Cheshire Cat]

Intuition, You should not have left the meeting as you were invited to participate by one of the principals in this issue.  I can tell you I am not at all pleased with the attitude of Ms. Grant.  Neither she or WLA have exclusive rights or interest in this project.  By her logic, no one should have been in the meeting if they did not own property or a business in Avondale.  I intend to find out who was in attendance and how it was decided who was allowed in and who wasn't.



Diane

[Cheshire Cat]

Ben, I have just left a message for Jim Love inquiring who was chairing the meeting, him or Ms. Grant?  I am asking for clarification and by what right does one resident have her will override the invite given another individual by Mr. Valentino? Was Mr. Love aware of the fact she asked you to leave?  I am afraid Ms. Grant has started pissing on my orange tree as she apparently likes to say!  She does not speak for Avondale residents, property and business owners and she better come to that realization right quick. She speaks for one person and that is herself.



Diane

[KEGreene1]

I too was asked to leave.  I believe Ms. Grant looked at a printed copy of this thread and didn't appreciate her "pictures".  Ben is correct that she said we didn't have a dog in the fight.  I objected and was told I wasn't part of an objected party.

I am a member of this community and prominently involved in many organizations.  I am a former service member and business owner.  We were also told that "we don't know these individuals and don't know if they understand what a mediation means".  I understand the "cone of silence".  I found it funny that they would kick Ben and myself out and not make us stay (and thereby stifling us).

[Gators312]

Intuition, You should not have left the meeting as you were invited to participate by one of the principals in this issue.  I can tell you I am not at all pleased with the attitude of Ms. Grant.  Neither she or WLA have exclusive rights or interest in this project.  By her logic, no one should have been in the meeting if they did not own property or a business in Avondale.  I intend to find out who was in attendance and how it was decided who was allowed in and who wasn't.

It's this attitude by Ms. Grant and her cronies that is so dangerous.  Do they not realize that this type of interference sets a bad precedent for Jacksonville's future development and that is what so many people are upset about?  It's not about having a pizza place or not, it's about a business being able to open up under the current set of zoning laws (including laws that allow for variances and exemptions) that are in place without a VERY SMALL group of individuals dictating their own standards just because they choose to pull some well connected strings and throw down a little cash to their attorneys.    This is where everyone in Jacksonville has a dog in this fight.  If WLA and their ilk get their way what stops this same tactic from being employed elsewhere in the city? 

It truly is an embarrassment to think that a City Councilmen would allow himself to be led around by the nose by these people, but it sure seems as if Jim Love has signed up to be their lap dog, if he called a meeting but allows Alicia Grant to dictate the guest list.

Their underhanded politics, lies, and misrepresentations are what have caused this issue to become so contentious for people inside and outside the neighborhood.  It's what has caused people throughout the city to take notice to come to the support of Mellow Mushroom.   I think once it's all said and done there are a few merchants and residents who will end up with egg on their faces and urine on their orange trees....

[Cheshire Cat]

KFGreen, Was councilman Jim Love aware that she had asked you to leave?  I will indeed be following up on all of this with the councilman and will make sure to get some resolution.  There is no way on the good Lords green earth any individual citizen has the right to stifle another, especially if that person was asked to be present by one of the principals in this situation. That is unacceptable in any form.  I want to make sure I have my facts straight with regard to who said what to whom, which is why I want to speak with the councilman myself and get his take on how this meeting was managed.  This entire situation and resulting upset and confusion was not only unnecessary but harmful to our community and how Avondale and it's citizens are being viewed because of it.  I promise you I am not a happy camper over all of this and how it continues to unfold.  It's truly obscene that someone trying to open a business here would be treated so badly and even more upsetting to me that a group of folks have decided that they will in some ways become the voice for the rest of us here.  That just isn't going to fly with me and several other residents.  Ms. Grant has overplayed her hand.  I can promise all of you, if I find out there has been any type of backdoor shenanigans or deal making I will pursue the situation much more aggressively and make certain that all parties are playing by the rules. 

Ms. Grant, you have overstepped your bounds here and many of us do not care for it one bit and we "are" your neighbors!  You are a single voice and not representative of the whole of Avondale. I also hope it is simply a rumor that a well known eating establishment which I often frequent is at all culpable in these goings on.  I would be greatly disappointed to hear that.  Now folks are at each others throats, talking about boycotts and the like upsetting many in the community.  I love our little shops and have visited and patronized them for years to keep small business afloat and our community vibrant. Many of the shop owners have seen my son grow up for heaven sakes.  All this nonsense is doing now is causing confusion and hurt feelings.  You have every right to voice your own concerns but so does everyone else in the community.  I don't think you and the WLA group actually realize the damage you are doing and the divisiveness that pursuing your own agenda has resulted in.  It  has caused great upset in Avondale where it need never have happened and it needs to end now.  This is a community of many and not the playground of a few chosen individuals.  Apparently some individuals need to be reminded of that fact.


Diane Melendez