Laura Street Trio in Trouble? Updated status of six key Downtown projects

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

What did the city really have to do with the video boards other than approve the $$$$?

This isn't in defense of Khan but rather an indictment towards the ineptitude of others. 

I think it would be a fair statement if they were procuring material, labor or managing the project in any way, shape or form, but I believe a huge reason that the boards were up so quickly and under budget was because the city's only responsibility was staying out of the way.

[Tacachale]

The garage is the piece that concerns me the most. The fact that the project has that major hurdle, combined with the lack of momentum after years of big announcements, encourages skepticism. But clearly, even skeptics would be excited for this or another similar project to come together.

[heights unknown]

What did the city really have to do with the video boards other than approve the $$$$?

This isn't in defense of Khan but rather an indictment towards the ineptitude of others. 

I think it would be a fair statement if they were procuring material, labor or managing the project in any way, shape or form, but I believe a huge reason that the boards were up so quickly and under budget was because the city's only responsibility was staying out of the way.

well trust me when I tell you (and you already know this) there is always a lot of explanation whenever something that expensive happens, and people want to talk talk.  The talk talk is time consuming, and everyone wants to get in on part of the action.  It sucks attention and focus away from other stuff unless you have clear management and well defined project goals.

This was definitely not a hall mark of the Brown years.  Not a comment about Khan at all. Comment about Brown, who had one competent guy (Hand) in his office and a lot of other issues to manage.  His economic development director should have been on top of it, but wasn't.

The DIA was still getting its bearings (and didn't have enough money any ways) and the administration would neither commit fully nor would it cut bait.  At that point it probably needed the mayor to figure out how to get it done (just like Godbold, Delaney and Austin had had to do in previous admins)  But......that didn't happen.

Stuff just got away from them and something really positive that Brown brought to the city was squandered by his own lack of follow through.

I'm glad Brown is gone. From reading your posts Stephen, I really believe Brown just didn't have a clue, was a poor leader, had very little management prowess and organizational skills, and your last phrase in the last sentence of your post, "BUT, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN," probably points to the aforementioned in addition to just stark, real, and firm ineptitude. Case closed.

[sschwartz2929]

The City will benefit from $152 million in total economic impact from the development, with a projected $17.5 million in operations each year and a $7 million increase in new regional payroll. In total, the project will generate 448 jobs during construction and 247 permanent mid-to-high wage jobs during operations. Plus it saves 4 historically significant buildings and gains a mixed use (parking plus retail) parking garage to support the development with plenty of excess to support the city.

Since you are obviously involved with the project as a tenant, were you aware that the garage being built by the city was part of the proposal as noted in the JBJ article this morning?

The city as far as I know will be presented with multiple options as far as the parking garage is concerned. The developer might build it and today said that is what the developer prefers. At the meeting's closing today he was going to set up a meeting with the DIA and go over options for the garage next week. After stating that there were options to the parking garage development, the Board members present seemed to relax a bit knowing that the developer was willing to open that discussion.

[Tacachale]

The City will benefit from $152 million in total economic impact from the development, with a projected $17.5 million in operations each year and a $7 million increase in new regional payroll. In total, the project will generate 448 jobs during construction and 247 permanent mid-to-high wage jobs during operations. Plus it saves 4 historically significant buildings and gains a mixed use (parking plus retail) parking garage to support the development with plenty of excess to support the city.

Since you are obviously involved with the project as a tenant, were you aware that the garage being built by the city was part of the proposal as noted in the JBJ article this morning?

The city as far as I know will be presented with multiple options as far as the parking garage is concerned. The developer might build it and today said that is what the developer prefers. At the meeting's closing today he was going to set up a meeting with the DIA and go over options for the garage next week. After stating that there were options to the parking garage development, the Board members present seemed to relax a bit knowing that the developer was willing to open that discussion.

That is good to hear.

[RattlerGator]

Still no discussion about an option to consider providing financing as opposed to a commitment to do so. Hmmmmmmmm.

[jaxjags]

Just a question? Does there really need to be a garage at this time. Many DT hotels in other cities have valet or find a public garage that could be several blocks away. When in DT Charleston I used a public garage 2 blocks away. If my memory is correct there are several under utilized garages near by. Is this what Jim Bailey meant in the JBJ article that other parking options would be discussed after Thanksgiving?

[jaxjags]

Sorry Atkins said he will have a new plan after Thanksgiving for 300 spaces, not Bailey.

[sschwartz2929]

According to SE Group:
We're excited to say that we've already reached out to DIA leadership to present our plan to develop and finance a new parking structure for the project and the downtown market. We will meet with them tomorrow in advance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Kind of tangential to the main topic, but how has building a garage in the Jacksonville CBD ever been a bad idea?

I wonder how many years the city opted to guarantee profits for this one?   

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,9426.0.html

[Tacachale]

Any update on the meeting?

[RattlerGator]

And lets be frank.  If we are going to move forward its going to take the kind of capitol that has either been non existent or unwilling here locally.

True . . . thus highlighting even further the odd antipathy to Shad Khan, who is the single most representative advertisement for the truth of that statement.

[whyisjohngalt]

That's like your opinion, man.

[RattlerGator]

Stephen, have you forgotten your ridiculously crude crusade against Shad Khan? If there has been any bootlicking it has been you carrying the water for -- I dont' know . . . Union interests? -- with this crazy and repeated insertion of "pollution" claims that have absolutely nothing to do with Shad and Jacksonville.

Bootlicking, indeed.

But we don't live in a parallel universe and everyone on this Board has had the opportunity to read your stuff. They know what the deal is. Squawk on, but they also know you've been cold-busted on the we need that kind of capitol that has either been non existent or unwilling here locally issue with respect to Shad Kahn. It's beyond debate. You might as well hush.

[whyisjohngalt]

That's like a better opinion, man.