The Jacksonville Landing's Redevelopment Plan

[Marle Brando]

^^sounds like a 'southsider' to me. I mean who exactly does the SJTC benefit if you want to go that route? A better Landing no matter who it directly benefits will indirectly benefit all of Jax.

[thelakelander]

Frankly, I hate that any part of this is moving forward.  To me, it is a senseless waste of resources and the only person who ends up benefiting is Sleiman himself.

I view it as a positive if it results in something that greatly enhances the value and vitality of the Northbank.  As long as that happens, more power to Sleiman making some extra cash on his investment.

Whichever architect firm wins the bid, just better make sure that there's a gaping corridor aligned with Laura Street, so everyone can see the river; That's the single most important aspect about this new Jacksonville Landing... I'm sorry, just in a grouchy mood today. I just had to make sure that we all are on one accord. 

Opening the complex up to the rest of the Northbank and creating an enhanced and interactive public space along the riverfront are probably two of the most important components of whatever is produced.

[downtownbrown]

^^sounds like a 'southsider' to me. I mean who exactly does the SJTC benefit if you want to go that route? A better Landing no matter who it directly benefits will indirectly benefit all of Jax.

what he said

[TomHurst]

They should take inspiration from the UNF student union but scaled up for the grander downtown skyline. Bake in retail, dining and bar space with apartments to the side and you have a winner. The pedestrian focused opening down the center would connect laura street to the river while still giving an iconic modern image to the riverfront. If you haven't seen the UNF SU check it out here. http://www.dasherhurst.com/portfolio/university-of-north-florida-student-union/

This comment is endorsed by Dasher Hurst Architects. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

They should take inspiration from the UNF student union but scaled up for the grander downtown skyline. Bake in retail, dining and bar space with apartments to the side and you have a winner. The pedestrian focused opening down the center would connect laura street to the river while still giving an iconic modern image to the riverfront. If you haven't seen the UNF SU check it out here. http://www.dasherhurst.com/portfolio/university-of-north-florida-student-union/

This comment is endorsed by Dasher Hurst Architects. 

This made me chuckle.  Well played.

[thelakelander]

Nice play TomHurst. Great building as well:

[strider]

Frankly, I hate that any part of this is moving forward.  To me, it is a senseless waste of resources and the only person who ends up benefiting is Sleiman himself.

I view it as a positive if it results in something that greatly enhances the value and vitality of the Northbank.  As long as that happens, more power to Sleiman making some extra cash on his investment.

Whichever architect firm wins the bid, just better make sure that there's a gaping corridor aligned with Laura Street, so everyone can see the river; That's the single most important aspect about this new Jacksonville Landing... I'm sorry, just in a grouchy mood today. I just had to make sure that we all are on one accord. 

Opening the complex up to the rest of the Northbank and creating an enhanced and interactive public space along the riverfront are probably two of the most important components of whatever is produced.

Why I say that only Sleiman will benefit is simply the fact that unless more happens in Downtown, like the trio, the Landing will not be a more powerful draw than it already is, so only Sleiman will benefit by what he can pocket by developing it.  In my opinion, any public money would be far better spent elsewhere.  There are more than just me with this opinion, based on comments on the threads about the Landing.

You could open it up to Laura street without tearing it all down and starting over. So it seems to me that the cost-benefit ratio is better by doing less to the Landing and doing more with the areas around it.  Unless you can make more money off the redevelopment itself.

And I do live in the Urban core where I have seen millions spent with very little to show for it.  I just keep hoping that Jacksonville eventually begins to spend wisely.

[Marle Brando]

My apologies bro, you live in the core u good with me. I agree that more must be done to the area surrounding the landing..specifically those empty lots on water st. near the Omni and TU center. I think the opening down the center of the Landing is the minimal that should be done.

[thelakelander]

Perhaps one of the concepts from this list of RFP response is a partial retrofit of the existing structure.  I'd have to go back and look at the RFP but I'm not sure it's totally out of the question.

Nevertheless, there is a huge benefit in creating a usable interactive centralized public space along the riverfront....in the heart of the Northbank core. I'd argue moreso than anything happening at the Shipyards or JEA sites. With that said, I don't know how all the public funding requests will work with our limited pool of public resources. Perhaps a different design that also delivers the desire mix of uses, results in less public money being needed to make it happen? Anyway, getting the Laura Street corridor right is critical for Northbank revitalization. So we're going to have to figure out a way to get everything from the Trio and Landing to Hemming, and the vacant storefronts inbetween, turned around simultaneously.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Perhaps one of the concepts from this list of RFP response is a partial retrofit of the existing structure.  I'd have to go back and look at the RFP but I'm not sure it's totally out of the question.

I haven't seen the issued RFP, so I have a hard time judging the list of applicants.  There are some big names, some local names and quite a few I'm unfamiliar with. 

Were there any design/cost criteria to consider or was this put out as an open-ended project for design only?

[peestandingup]

So we're going to have to figure out a way to get everything from the Trio and Landing to Hemming, and the vacant storefronts inbetween, turned around simultaneously.

And these projects are going to have to communicate with each other so there's cohesiveness & they compliment one another in a grander scheme. Meaning no one project trying to be a catch-all one-stop "destination", where they're each a jack of all trades master of none.

Things like not having a mini amphitheater at the Landing if the Shipyards is getting one too.

[Marle Brando]

Do you guys think a movie theatre, maybe 6 to 8 screens could be an anchor for a new Landing. I know AMC Regency is right across the bridge, but it may not be nearly as desirable if a new one was built near the river.

[edjax]

Aren't movie theaters kind of a dying thing?  Would hate to tie that much prime space on something like that. 

[finehoe]

Aren't movie theaters kind of a dying thing?  Would hate to tie that much prime space on something like that.

Movie Theater Attendance Hits 20-Year Low

http://www.slashfilm.com/box-office-attendance-hits-lowest-level-five-years/

[UNFurbanist]

Only movie theatre idea I think would work is more of a programing thing. If they did outdoor public movies on the side of the building that was specially painted for the purpose and had nice places to lay on some grass that might be a cool event. They do stuff like that all over the place in an informal fashion but if it was kind of baked it into the design it could attract urban core residents for sure!