Major Hemming Park overhaul to include restaurant, bar and new stage

[thelakelander]

By Drew Dixon

A major Hemming Park overhaul involving the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars will commercialize the downtown gathering place by adding a restaurant and bar and a new stage area.

Friends of Hemming Park CEO Vince Cavin said Thursday his group is prepared to spend about $85,000 to turn cargo containers into a bar and restaurant facility that will be located on the southeast corner of Hemming Park at Laura and Monroe streets. Planning also is underway to build a permanent 50-foot-by-50-foot stage at the west end of the park under the Skyway people mover.

The recycling of cargo containers by converting them into buildings is a hot trend. The restaurant and bar would be created by linking two of those structures into an "L" shape and be run by the ownership that operates Black Sheep Restaurant in Riverside, Cavin said.

"These are structures that the city would ultimately own. Over the course of a year, I'm expecting to invest about $500,000 into the park, infrastructure-wise. That's my expectation, and I think that proves we're really committed to making this a key destination for Jacksonville," Cavin said.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-10-09/story/major-hemming-park-overhaul-include-additions-restaurant-bar-and-new

[johnnyliar]

Black Sheep owners Allan DeVault and Jon Insetta had been talking with Friends of Hemming Park for weeks about the restaurant and bar project that will be called "The Black Sheep Kiosk."

Horrible name, but an awesome idea!

[Tacachale]

Wow, what a great idea. Things are looking up for Hemming Park.

[Dapperdan]

Curry seems like he is a bit more hospitable to Friends of Hemming.

[coredumped]

Hemming Park seems to be taking the place of the landing with the live acts, things to do, etc. Might be a good time to revamp the landing, while there's another place to visit.

[tufsu1]

Curry seems like he is a bit more hospitable to Friends of Hemming.

there is some thought that Council isn't

[KenFSU]

Friends of Hemming, FTW.

These guys are just killing it on the Northbank.

How they've transformed, and continue to transform, what is arguably the most important block in our city, in barely a year's time is just incredible.

Awesome job, friends.

Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.

Is it just a few of us that seem delusional or is this an absolute no-brainer?

[Wacca Pilatka]

Stephen, when you mentioned a few weeks back that Jon Insetta's long-awaited return to the core was pending, was this what you meant?  Or is there a brick and mortar space coming too?

[carpnter]

Now, let's get that bare-bones, no-frills Skyway station up and running to connect Brooklyn with Hemming.

Is it just a few of us that seem delusional or is this an absolute no-brainer?

Oh it is a no-brainer but the the JTA has neglected the Skyway for so long that I don't see it happening.  It should have extended to the stadium by now as well.

[ProjectMaximus]

Stephen, when you mentioned a few weeks back that Jon Insetta's long-awaited return to the core was pending, was this what you meant?  Or is there a brick and mortar space coming too?

B&M still to come.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2015/10/09/black-sheep-move-into-downtown-represents-larger.html

[Allan D]

Black Sheep owners Allan DeVault and Jon Insetta had been talking with Friends of Hemming Park for weeks about the restaurant and bar project that will be called "The Black Sheep Kiosk."

Horrible name, but an awesome idea!

Thanks and we promise that won't be the name.

[Wacca Pilatka]

ProjectMaximus, thanks for the info!

[KenFSU]

P.S. Big fan of the plan to add a stage fronting the Skyway.

Perfect location, and adds such an awesome backdrop to what's happening on stage.

Here are a couple of the renders from the Hemming article I wrote for MJ last year that show what a stage in this location could look like.

Not to brag, but I *kinda* Nostradamus'd the Black Sheep kiosk in the same article.

Great minds...

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-oct-hemming-plaza-vs-nycs-bryant-park-a-tale-of-two-parks/page/

[jaxjags]

KenFSU - I reread your article this morning. Very well thought out and detailed. I too have no issue with stage and kiosks, but have a question. Before they do this has a master plan been discussed and drawn up? If not, then they may do things that don't work in the future, such as elevation of the stage. The plan you developed is great. Wish the city would find funding to move further in that direction.