Springfield's 1648 Main Street Building to be redeveloped

[thelakelander]

Another retail property along the Main Street corridor is moving forward, further endorsing the notion that Springfield's Main Street is a viable retail corridor.  1648 Main is located on the SW corner of 7th & Main and will be redeveloped for potential retail, service and dining uses.

Pier Avenue Properties’ building will join the list of redevelopment projects on Springfield’s major commercial corridor.

Ready for occupancy in time for Main Street completion, the building will feature 3,500 square feet of retail or restaurant space and 14-foot ceilings. Sidewalk dining is an option, and parking exists on- and off-site.

Occupying businesses can expect patrons from Springfield, Downtown, UF&Shands and FCCJ. Contact Pier Avenue Properties for leasing information.

http://srghomes.com/2008/05/srg-to-renovate-uptown-worx-building-at-1648-main/

[thelakelander]

An existing picture of 1648 Main can be seen at UrbanJacksonville.info.

http://www.urbanjacksonville.info/2008/05/29/srg-to-renovate-building-at-1648-main-street/

[downtownparks]

Someone told me that used to be a tranny bar, but its been empty as long as I have been here. I am glad to see it moving forward.

[JaxByDefault]

Looks cool from the sketches, but let's pray to God that another tax preparation/pre-paid cell phone store doesn't go in.

[thelakelander]

Here's a better rendering of the front elevation.  The SRG rendering cut a part of the building off, so I replaced it with a floor plan graphic.

[thelakelander]

The way I look at it, you have to start somewhere and bringing the existing buildings up to code is a great start.  That's something that is definately not happening on a large scale in most older sections of town.

[RiversideGator]

Its actually the old Silver Dollar.  One of the most famous political bars in the cities history. 

It was then a topless/gambling/crack cocaine bar for many years under the property management of the beloved bateh family.

Wade Davis, a local female impersonator, took the lease from the crack and prostitution outfit that was running it and opened a drag bar there.

When Wade had to quit the business because of health, John and I opened up Eden, which was a prototypical Indie Club that catered to the crowd that presently frequents TSI.

We kept it open long enough to make sure that the Strip bar couldnt reopen, (it was always a money loser for us) and then it closed.

Are you saying that you intentionally opened a business knowing it would lose money and ultimately be closed??  That is a new one.   

[soxfan]

Sorry Steven, I gotta agree with RG. It doesn't make much sense to keep a business open when it is constantly losing money. And how did you "keep it open long enough to make sure that the strip club could not reopen"? Was there some sort of ordinance passed or something? I didn't think that a strip club COULD open up that close to a church...

[soxfan]

So how did they open a strip club that close to a church? Isn't there laws against it? It couldn't have been grandfathered in. The church has been there for a very long time. I'm not doubting you as you have obviously been aroung here alot longer than I. I am just asking. It doesn't seem right..

[soxfan]

Nice job Steven! It's really too bad that it wasn't successful. That sounds like it would've been a cool place to have around now..

[soxfan]

I knew about Boomtown, in fact, I'd taken some of my family there for dinner while you were still on Main St. I meant that it was too bad that the performing arts place was not successful. It would be cool to have a place like that in the hood...  By the way, how is John? Haven't seen him in quite a while... I know that all of us in Springfield appreciate what you forecomers did to help clear the way for more of us to move here and enjoy this awesome neighborhood...

[RiversideGator]

Its actually the old Silver Dollar.  One of the most famous political bars in the cities history. 

It was then a topless/gambling/crack cocaine bar for many years under the property management of the beloved bateh family.

Wade Davis, a local female impersonator, took the lease from the crack and prostitution outfit that was running it and opened a drag bar there.

When Wade had to quit the business because of health, John and I opened up Eden, which was a prototypical Indie Club that catered to the crowd that presently frequents TSI.

We kept it open long enough to make sure that the Strip bar couldnt reopen, (it was always a money loser for us) and then it closed.

Are you saying that you intentionally opened a business knowing it would lose money and ultimately be closed??  That is a new one.   

No, what a silly thing to extrapolate.   Bizarre actually.

From which sentence did you manage to draw this weird conclusion?

From this one: "We kept it open long enough to make sure that the Strip bar couldnt reopen, (it was always a money loser for us) and then it closed."

If my conclusion was incorrect, I apologize.

[RiversideGator]

BTW, the design of the facade of the building in question is a bit unusual.  It does not appear to date to the 1910s or 20s.  Am I correct?  Anyone know?

[soxfan]

Thanks man.

Which performance venue do you mean?

The one that was at 1648.

[zoo]

anyone got any old photos featuring silver dollar?

building was constructed in 20s. brick "arcade" was supposedly added in the 60s.