Reimagining Downtown's Forgotten Spaces

[Metro Jacksonville]

Reimagining Downtown's Forgotten Spaces



Downtown revitalization doesn't have to be difficult. Adding life, excitement and economic opportunity isn't about spending tons of money or subsidizing companies to relocate. In many cases it's as simple as taking advantage of what you already have.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-dec-reimagining-downtowns-forgotten-spaces

[remc86007]

I didn't know that alley exists. Is it used for waste disposal? Maybe I missed it in the pictures.

Perhaps the city could create an open carry buffer zone exception to allow for consumption of alcohol purchased from downtown establishments within 200feet of the respective establishments. I think I've heard of other cities doing this.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Very creative ideas already done by my cities, be nice to see more of these in Jax, European cities also have a lot of these hidden spaces.

[KenFSU]

Great article, Ennis. I've always loved that space.

^Agree Keith, Paris was the first city that came to mind for me.

As far as what to do with it?

Short-term, clean it up, add a bit of seating, string up some Christmas lights, and work with the owners and city to transform it into a wet courtyard for the Elbow. Maybe hire a musician for the weekends.

Long term, super pie-in-sky, but piggyback off of what Cowford Chophouse is doing, add rooftop space to every venue and restaurant in the Elbow, and use the central courtyard as a hub to get to the second level.

I'm sure there are structural and logistical reasons that it would prove difficult (not to mention cost), but imagine how much more interesting the Elbow would be, and how differentiated it would be from other bar scenes in town, if those rooftops were all leveraged. Sweeping views of the city. Increased synergy. Stronger sense of place. Bonus points if the Florida Theater got in on the action too and opened up their rooftop dining/drinks on more than just special occasions.

Look at all that space.

[KenFSU]

P.S. I also think this space directly adjacent to Hemming has endless potential as courtyard space if there was ever a way to eliminate the loading area.

[jaxjaguar]

Great article, Ennis. I've always loved that space.

^Agree Keith, Paris was the first city that came to mind for me.

As far as what to do with it?

Short-term, clean it up, add a bit of seating, string up some Christmas lights, and work with the owners and city to transform it into a wet courtyard for the Elbow. Maybe hire a musician for the weekends.

Long term, super pie-in-sky, but piggyback off of what Cowford Chophouse is doing, add rooftop space to every venue and restaurant in the Elbow, and use the central courtyard as a hub to get to the second level.

I'm sure there are structural and logistical reasons that it would prove difficult (not to mention cost), but imagine how much more interesting the Elbow would be, and how differentiated it would be from other bar scenes in town, if those rooftops were all leveraged. Sweeping views of the city. Increased synergy. Stronger sense of place. Bonus points if the Florida Theater got in on the action too and opened up their rooftop dining/drinks on more than just special occasions.

Look at all that space.

Living in Orlando I can tell you one of the things that makes the downtown bar scene thrive is the fact that most of the roads surrounding the bar district (church st / orange ave) are blocked off after 6pm and closed to traffic. People are allowed to freely roam without worrying about being hit by cars and there are several spots to walk around with your drink. Also, in my recent trip to Nashville I came to the conclussion that Jacksonville desperately needs more multistory / rooftop bars in our old abandoned buildings.... another pipe dream. But maybe on my deathbed I'll read a MJ article about how the bar scene is thriving downtown and people actually visit downtown on the weekends outside of football season.

[KenFSU]

Also, in my recent trip to Nashville I came to the conclussion that Jacksonville desperately needs more multistory / rooftop bars in our old abandoned buildings.

LOVE Nashville's rooftop bars.

http://nashvilleguru.com/54030/rooftop-bars-nashville

[KenFSU]

Very prescient, Ennis!

The owner of Spliff's and 1904 Music Hall has plans to combine the two venues and add an awning and outdoor seating behind the building in part of the space you discussed.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/12/29/downtown-business-owner-plans-expansion-to-120.html

If this happens, I'm giving you full credit...

[fieldafm]

You can see current pics of that space as well as the site plan for the expansion here: http://www.moderncities.com/article/2016-dec-urban-construction-update-december-2016

As cool as this is (Spliffs/1904 is mainly combining the space in order to get an SRX license to serve liquor), and it definitely is cool, it is not part of the back alley. It appears as though the money that could have been spent on an alleyway conversion noted in the 'Reimagining' article has been diverted to another project near the Sports Complex. With Forking Amazing focusing their portion of the alleyway on strictly being used for dumpsters... it doesn't appear as though the alley will ever fully be realized (which was originally Jim Bailey's idea dating as far back as 2004).

[MusicMan]

Talk about forgotten spaces, looks like Jackson Square at San Marco has a new lease on life:

http://residentnews.net/2017/05/03/developers-plan-less-intense-jackson-square-development/

[thelakelander]

Nice to see that project resurface. However, isn't Chance struggling with St. Johns Village?

[MusicMan]

I have no idea. I stumbled upon the link and thought this was an apt place to post it.