Councilman Clark commits to funding convention center update

[tufsu1]

There is room to expand if needed.  Everyone wants the jail moved so you expand there and connect with a skybridge....just like Orlando has done.

[thelakelander]

Nothing. If they're going to use anything the Civic Council has put together, then we're talking about 2011. The key issue is costs.  If they want it, how are they going to come up with the cash and when.  Those are the real questions, IMO.

Hey Lake,

If memory serves they really want a center on the current fairgrounds between EverBank and the Grounds. Can use existing parking and logistics.  The big stumbler was the buildings on the fairgrounds that are owned by the related Fair Associations. (ie: Cattle Barns) would need to be settled. Early talk was to have them move to a new site at Cecil Commerce.

IMHO: They move the fair to CCC it will lose attendance. While I was at the fair last week the thought occurred to convert the southbank JEA brownfield as the new fairgrounds.  River based frontage. Water Taxi to northbank. Room to park if you don't want the water taxi experience. Barns can be recreated easily and still maintain the "urban fair" experience.

Any thoughts?

The fairgrounds site makes no sense because of the same reasons the Prime Osborn doesn't. Isolation, no hotel, no market for another convention center hotel and no complementing uses (restaurants, entertainment, etc.).  The main reason the Peyton administration wanted the fairgrounds moved to CCC had to do with years the fair and FL-GA game fall on the same weekend.  I also believe it would be a bad move to relocate the fair.  DT, the urban core and especially the Eastside, need all the events they can get.  There are a lot of things we "need" to subsidize. Moving the fair to the boonies isn't one of them.

[mtraininjax]

Looks and sounds like Richard Clark is making a quiet salvo into the mayoral ring. The Study keeps his name out there and attaches it to possible new project, jobs and growth.....

I liked his quote "I'll find the money for the study"....

I agree, most citizens agree, we don't need a new study, but......

[mbwright]

If they do a new study, it gives them a sense that they are doing something, regards of the effectiveness, or future outcome.  How many studies in this town on the shelf that were done, but never implemented?  no point in doing a study, if there is no funding for the future convention center.