OED's Ted Carter: Compete for Amazon; return Starbucks Downtown

[thelakelander]

by Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

City Office of Economic Development Executive Director Ted Carter said Monday he wants Jacksonville to compete for two major Seattle corporate names: Amazon.com Inc. and Starbucks Corp.
He wants to join the running for an Amazon fulfillment center in Duval County and to bring a Starbucks back Downtown.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=540124

[fieldafm]

Totally don't agree with that strategy.  Why not just make it easier for small businesses to open downtown (and that would include sitting down with landlords in order to come up with some creative leasing strategies)?

[thelakelander]

I assume his strategy is Jax in general.  It will be interesting to see how the OED and DIA work together on downtown initiatives and strategies.  In the case of Starbucks, they already know Jacksonville and downtown. They kicked us to the curb.....twice.  However, like Panera Bread in San Marco, with or without the OED, they'll be back (probably at the Fuqua thing in Brooklyn) when they determine there's a strong enough market for their product (already proven) and a decent deal to operate a space.

[duvaldude08]

This whole article was stupid to me. First thing I notice is we expressed zero interest in bringing jobs here, but say IF theres a second round we will put in a bid. Then talk about Starbuck. Cant really believe bringing Starbucks back downtown is such a top priority for the city. 

[tufsu1]

Amazon is likely going to build 3 fulfillment centers in FL....it seems like at least one (maybe two) are destined for the Tampa Bay-Orlando area...btw, from what I have heard, that announcement is expected in the next few days

Assuming those can serve central and south Florida, then one in north Florida to also serve south Georgia makes a lot of sense.....but if they also plan to build one in south Florida, then I think we missed the boat/train/truck

[fieldafm]

Bold Bean wanted to initially open downtown.

The fact that they instead opened in Riverside goes to show you how backwards our priorities are when we view downtown policies towards small businesses.

Let's make it easy for small businesses like Bold Bean to move in.  When there are people right now being ignored that want to make downtown a more vibrant neighborhood, perhaps we should worry less about Starbucks and remove the plank from our own eyes?

[fsujax]

^^I don't understand why this continues to be a problem. I am sure the members of the DIA have to realize this is an issue and I agree they should be trying to fix that problem.

[Ron Mexico]

So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?

[peestandingup]

Bold Bean wanted to initially open downtown.

The fact that they instead opened in Riverside goes to show you how backwards our priorities are when we view downtown policies towards small businesses.

Let's make it easy for small businesses like Bold Bean to move in.  When there are people right now being ignored that want to make downtown a more vibrant neighborhood, perhaps we should worry less about Starbucks and remove the plank from our own eyes?

My thoughts exactly. And thank god Bold Bean didn't open downtown. I dont think they would have made it personally simply because its such a weird, toxic market down there thats mismanaged all to hell.

And this article was stupid & shows the disconnect these people have in their line of thinking. Wanting a Starbucks DT just because they see it as some kind of accomplishment & because their 'burb has one is completely irrelevant to anything, esp at this point with the shape of things down there. Pretty sure there's bigger fish to fry, like, getting out of organic growth's way & letting anyone willing to try shape the city to whatever the residents of the city want it to be, instead of trying to force it.

Seriously, who cares if there's no Starbucks if you've got several good local shops taking its place? Starbucks can come later after these things pan out & the corporate circus moves back to down. Till then, leave it to the locals.

[If_I_Loved_you]

So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?

I want Amazon to open here ASAP! Amazon would be very Stupid not to open here in Jacksonville Florida. We have a Great Port in which could supply Amazon with anything it sells and we have two major highways to ship items out of Interstate 10 & 95.

[downtownjag]

Carter is a very sharp guy.  I think his thinking behind Starbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT. 

[fieldafm]

So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?

Yes.

But it's ridiculous to seek those companies out while literally stepping over hundreds of other businesses in the process.

If I remember anything from Catholic School other than which girls wore the shortest plaid skirts, it's Matthew 7:5:

"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

One of the few biblical versus that always stuck in my head, and it really could not be more apt in this situation.
 

[fieldafm]

Starbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT.

From someone that has spent almost 12 years in finance and has traveled all around the country... BFD.  You can't skip steps in the the cycling of a neighborhood.  We've been trying that here for three decades by subsidizing this:

[downtownjag]

Starbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT.

From someone that has spent almost 12 years in finance and has traveled all around the country... BFD.  You can't skip steps in the the cycling of a neighborhood.  We've been trying that here for three decades by subsidizing this:

I wouldn't disagree with the sentiment/reasoning behind most people on this thread, build organically/locally first. 

[Sunbeam]

So heres a question...why is Ted Carter doing anything pertaining to downtown development? Its not his job!

Is he taking over the job of the Downtown Development Authority?

Sure seems like it