Downtown Construction Update - June 2009

JaxNole · June 22, 2009, 11:59:19 PM

There's a Hilton or Sheraton that straddles the Massachusetts Turnpike. I'd take our new hotels over that one.

mtraininjax · June 24, 2009, 04:43:30 PM

QuoteDude, your negativity has gotten old, it was old yesterday.

For a hotel of it's size and brand, it couldn't afford to be built on the river and the number of rooms would've been rediculously low. These two brands from Hilton cater mainly to business travelers, and the last thing on their minds is probably the view from the room. I think it fills a little bit of the niche that doesn't really exist in the downtown area. Now, if we could do something with the two suburban looking hotels closer to the river and replace the Wyndham with something nicer, it'd be better.

Negativity? I stated a fact, not positive or negative. I speak the truth.

When the convention center is built on the river, how many people will enjoy the serenity of the I-95 view compared to those who only see the river view? Of course, you would probably enjoy a nice room at the Park View Inn, since that location fits what you call a "niche" market.

If business travelers, including airline pilots did not care where they stayed, they would all stay along airport road, yet go to the Omni or the Hyatt during the week and you find a number of people who are pilots or who work for the airlines and they make the drive to downtown, and the river, for just the view. Of course, they could have the view of 95 along airport road as well??

TREE4309 · June 24, 2009, 04:49:29 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 24, 2009, 04:43:30 PM
Negativity?

I agree with reednavy. Not just in this thread, but in several...your negativity is grating. It goes beyond typical sarcasm (which I welcome, as a matter of fact) to a point where I do nothing except roll my eyes at the majority of what you have to say. It's OK for you to keep your mouth shut every once in a while if you don't have anything constructive or beneficial to share.

mtraininjax · June 24, 2009, 05:07:00 PM

QuoteIt's OK for you to keep your mouth shut every once in a while if you don't have anything constructive or beneficial to share.

Thanks, I'll keep it under advisement.

reednavy · June 24, 2009, 08:29:33 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 24, 2009, 04:43:30 PM
Negativity? I stated a fact, not positive or negative. I speak the truth.

When the convention center is built on the river, how many people will enjoy the serenity of the I-95 view compared to those who only see the river view? Of course, you would probably enjoy a nice room at the Park View Inn, since that location fits what you call a "niche" market.

If business travelers, including airline pilots did not care where they stayed, they would all stay along airport road, yet go to the Omni or the Hyatt during the week and you find a number of people who are pilots or who work for the airlines and they make the drive to downtown, and the river, for just the view. Of course, they could have the view of 95 along airport road as well??

Of course, not all the rooms in either hotel have a river view. Also, apparently they choose those hotels because they are of better quality and provide better services than those along Duval RD. Most of the hotels downtown just provide better services, the rooms are better, and have more to do nearby. A view is probably one of the less important things for a business traveler, instead of services and location.

thelakelander · June 24, 2009, 08:37:30 PM

Quote from: stjr on June 17, 2009, 12:20:37 PM
For a few days, Oral Explosions had an attention-grabbing electronic sign over the entry door (facing north on San Marco Blvd.) operating that flashed, a few seconds at a time, in full color, the logos of 4 of the 5 restaurants having permanent signgage on the building. Now the sign is turned off.

The electronic sign is back on and they had a steady stream of people in and out of there about an hour ago. They stay open until 9:30pm.

hightowerlover · June 24, 2009, 10:16:55 PM

now we just need to get some of those urban graffiti artists to go out to the building and make some logos on the side of the building that people will actually notice

mtraininjax · June 25, 2009, 06:57:20 AM

QuoteA view is probably one of the less important things for a business traveler, instead of services and location.

That is your opinion, yet, go check out the Hyatt, GO SEE WHO STAYS THERE DURING THE WEEK. Again, why would airline employees stay right on airline road, when they can SEE the river and downtown nightlife? Why would anyone stay on airport road for that matter?

tufsu1 · June 25, 2009, 08:49:54 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 25, 2009, 06:57:20 AM
QuoteA view is probably one of the less important things for a business traveler, instead of services and location.

That is your opinion, yet, go check out the Hyatt, GO SEE WHO STAYS THERE DURING THE WEEK. Again, why would airline employees stay right on airline road, when they can SEE the river and downtown nightlife? Why would anyone stay on airport road for that matter?

maybe because they have to get up at 5:00am to catch an early flight....plus, many airline employees fly in at 9:00pm one night and leave the next morning....I doubt they get to see much of the river at night!

reednavy · June 25, 2009, 11:26:02 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on June 25, 2009, 06:57:20 AM
That is your opinion, yet, go check out the Hyatt, GO SEE WHO STAYS THERE DURING THE WEEK. Again, why would airline employees stay right on airline road, when they can SEE the river and downtown nightlife? Why would anyone stay on airport road for that matter?

Again, you missed the point. Just because of the clientele that stay there doesn't mean a river view is high on their priority list. As I stated, services, accomodations, and familiarity with those brands keep that group of people coming back. Like I said, they're of better quality than most of the hotels along Duval Road. Besides, it is usually the airlines themselves that say where they can stay and arrange it as such. I just don't understand what your huge gripe is about the view when the new Hilton complex on Kings are made of two brands that cater more directly to the busniess traveler. If you're here for business, you're only using the room to sleep and you have your mettings, dining, and entertainment elsewhere for the most part, chill out.

brainstormer · July 01, 2009, 03:53:41 PM

http://jacksonville.com/video/archive/2009-07-01/video_springfield_revitalization_shot_in_the_arm_with_opening_of_city_kidz_

I'm so excited to go get ice cream, despite jacksonville.com's wacked out heading

fsu813 · July 01, 2009, 04:09:26 PM

yea, not a great heading.

but the cafe is great! Wifi, flat screen tv, sandwiches, ice cream...........good stuff !!!

can't wait for the upscale grocer & deli to open in august !

jason_contentdg · July 01, 2009, 04:47:07 PM

They've actually changed the heading already....

mtraininjax · July 01, 2009, 04:47:56 PM

I went to Hotels.com to see why the Hilton "garden Inn" downtown was such a great place to stay with its impressive view of I-95. Its not there, but the other lovely "garden Inns" are and they are scattered all over town.

I was able though to get rates for a random weekend, end of July for the following:

Wyndham - 105.64
Hyatt - 103.22
Crowne Plaza - 98.95

So for around 120-130, depending on the bed tax, you can stay on the river, as a business traveller is very nice accomodations and oh yeah, have a view of the river, or you can go to the "garden Inn" with its view of I-95 and walk to the river. I travel for business from time to time and I really enjoy the view of a wall or a road when I go to a new city or hotel. I just forgot how much fun that is.

reednavy · July 09, 2009, 03:24:14 PM

I was downtown this morning around 9:45 and was behind a flatbed semi carrying at least 7 steel moldings for concrete to start the foundation pilings. Just throwing that out there, as it appears they're moving along nicely now.