"Bay Street night life showing new growth"

[Driven1]

If I owned a hot dog cart, I would get a  permit to be out there every Friday and Saturday night. that seems like a goldmine to me.

TSI already does this.  not sure if they actually have a permit for it though.  (exorbitant amount for a hot dog though...$3 - nothing special either).

[Driven1]

And now TSI is doing even more food service.  Which we convered a couple of weeks ago.

Here is the link.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,2456.0.html

oh yeah...i remember when you posted that.  forgot about that.  definitely good news.

[thelakelander]

Im just not visualizing the problem.   If its where I think you are talking about, its the Diamond Building (naturally in the way) and a parking lot.

People park in that lot at night.

Is that where you are talking about?

Yes.  In an ideal situation, that block would have venues on it as well that create synergy (other than parking) with the night time venues to the east and west.  Because right now, the block to the east is the only entertainment oriented block of Bay at night.  Until something is done with the middle block, if the west develops out, you'll have a whole of inactivity the middle.  Is there available retail space in the base of the Diamond Building?  I'm thinking along the lines of something that could potentially stay open at night that complements the businesses slowing moving into the strip?

[thelakelander]

The parking lot is a natural stopping point for people to disembark in either direction, east or west.

Unless you arrive by foot or are trying to promote the idea of walkability and urban synergy.  Hopefully, with time, we'll see some type of infill development on that property and other surface lots in the area.

I will try and walk it a little later on today

Try it at night, when the building is closed and the bars are open.

[thelakelander]

To get the full effect of the dead zone in action and fill the difference between walking on a block at night that has buildings with open retail spaces compared to a block with surface parking.  It would be somewhat different to walk during the day when the office building is open and the bars are closed.

[urbanlibertarian]

The building in the middle block you guys are talking about...is it the same one that used to be the Blackstone building?
Anyway,  if plain $3 hot dogs are selling down there I would think that burgers, eggs and pancakes would really sell at that restaurant space that has always been there on the ground floor.

[heights unknown]

lake - i said it is "becoming a nighttime destination"...and it is.  drive by there on a thurs, fri or sat night and look at the crowds.  compare those crowds to the crowds from 3 years ago on bay st at night.

this, in spite of the handling of the courthouse.

It's about time and this is good, good news. Kudos (pat on the back) for the east end of Bay Street going towards the sports complex from downtown. 

Is anything happening on the west end of Bay Street other than the new skyway station to be built soon near the convention center?  Would be nice to see some night clubs, restaurants, etc. pop up in that area

Heights Unknown

[thelakelander]

The building in the middle block you guys are talking about...is it the same one that used to be the Blackstone building?
Anyway,  if plain $3 hot dogs are selling down there I would think that burgers, eggs and pancakes would really sell at that restaurant space that has always been there on the ground floor.

Aren't their hours something like Mon - Fri for breakfast and lunch?  I don't think I've ever seen them open during the afternoon, nights or the weekends?  It would nice if they could become a part of the scene.

[Dapperdan]

SO they will occupy the ground floor and second floor? That does sound great. Keep us posted when you can. Maybe once these places start opening we can have an old fashioned metjax night out again. i haven't been on one since the Club Paris days.

[Jason]

Ahhh, Club Paris.  That was one fun night.

[Dapperdan]

Remember all the celebrities we were told would be there? Fred Kalilkanzjrgfh  or however you spell his last name was some piece of sh**.

[Driven1]

Remember all the celebrities we were told would be there? Fred Kalilkanzjrgfh  or however you spell his last name was some piece of sh**.

lol - Bruce Willis, Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton herself!!!  instead we ended up with Peyton & Corrine Delivas (in an all pink jumpsuit).

[blizz01]

I think Maverick's has had a better showing (Red Jumpsuit App., etc.) - btw, how is THAT place doing now?

[downtownparks]

Hahaha. Hey, let us not forget the open bar. That was awesome. Oh sure the paint was still sticky, and yeah the stairs werent lit yet, but we all got to drink for free.

On a related note, I have a pic of Driven with his head in a patron ice sculpture getting ready for a shot.

[Jason]

The open bar made the night.  That and hanging out on the balcony with Toney.

My wife and I made a couple stops at the Patron ice sculpture for a shot.  Pretty neat idea.  I remember Driven going in face first.