Get down there and hug your downtown building

[thelakelander]

For many years there has been trouble getting tenants into that building.  Everyone thinks parking is to much of hassle in that area to rent office space for the price they have been asking (God forbid utilizing a nearby parking garage).  Of the few times I've been involved with projects that have this building as one of the leasing options, the tenant always opted for space in an office park building.  It’s pretty sad; the people of Jacksonville are so lazy and seem put out if they have to walk more than fifty feet from their car to their front door, that they don't realize the true abundance of parking in the downtown area; and how their laziness is killing our downtown fabric.  People have to realize where we live and that on-site parking isn't a necessity of life.  Get out and walk you fat f**cks!

Maybe, using it for office space isn't the best use.  There's a ton of things that building could be possibly used for other than typical office space.  However, that asking price needs to drop dramatically to make any thing going in it reasonably feasible.

[zoo]

If I had confidence in the City to do something with it other than give it away for free or flatten it for parking, I could miss eminent domain. With uncaring/unqualified ownership, and mis-focused municipal planning, what is the lesser of the two evils?

[Ethylene]

Are you guys talking about 5 W. Forsyth?

CARE Number: 2009 - 148019
It says the original complaint was by Atlantic Engineering that north wall of this building is cracked and bulging out.

As of this moment, it says that abstract work is complete, but nothing yet about a demolition order or recommendation.

Was this damage done during the previous demo of the Lerner structure? The north wall was the wall adjacent to the former building, now a.k.a. empty lot!

[urbanlibertarian]

It's more likely that the crack and bulging were hidden by the Lerner building and were exposed by it's demolition.

[mtraininjax]

I was watching CNBC this morning and they had a guest on who has like 10 million square feet of commercial space in downtown New York. He said that the MAYOR has been working with Commercial property owners on a plan to nurture entreprenuers. The Commercial spaces are setup for use by entreprenuers for an hour or two a day, and its a place where other entreprenuers and business people can congregate and share ideas. Business helping other business to expand and grow.

I slam on the mayor a lot, because these are simple ideas and don't take much to get done. If Hionedes is as bad as many say he is, I am sure there have to be other buildings where the mayor can ask for help to build programs like this. Simple, easy, and they tend to show a more progressive city. I am not advocating doing that with this building, it may not be possible since its been empty so long, but there are so many empty buildings and empty spaces that should get people back downtown looking to expand the business of Jacksonville.


I do not own any downtown buildings, or I would start one.

[Steve]

What A ridiculous thing to see on vacation.  Ugh! I would say if this one is allowed to go through, then no vacant building is safe.
BTW, the building did not share a wall with Lerner; there was a gap

[Dog Walker]

Either there was a gap or that is one FAST growing tree!

[brainstormer]

^ This is a pretty cool idea.  I've never checked on real estate leases for downtown, but perhaps the ridiculous asking prices have stifled development, along with other things.  We all felt 2 million for the above building was way out of line.  The city is actually in a unique position because they own so much that they could offer great deals to new entrepreneurs to spark some growth.  Along with mtrain's idea for starters why not reward some new business ventures with low rents.  A little revenue is better then none, right?  I mentioned on another thread that there could be something pretty innovative done with the old Snyder church.  We need to expand our thinking and stop doing things the way they have always been done.  This city is so resistant to "new" and "change."

[JaxNative68]

The city is also resistant to "old" . . . why keep it when you can bulldoze it?

[Kay]

Stephen:  I'm trying to find out.  I thought that is what I read but I may have assumed it.  Typically, the downtown buidlings that have been condemned are demolished. 

[mtraininjax]

Does Snyder Church have AC?

[brainstormer]

^ I'm not sure.  I was in their during the jazz festival, but I don't remember.  The building definitely needs some work, but the design is perfect for a live jazz venue.  Coffee bar, wine bar, dessert.  It would be a nice opportunity for the city to partner with someone to keep it from getting condemned.  Opening the church up to the public would add another nice venue to Laura Street.

[tufsu1]

yes...and the dueling pianos show there tonight was cool...a nice addition to ArtWalk

[zoo]

Incubators are a great idea and can work. Look at the building in the 1500 block of Main St in Springfield. It is being used as an incubator, currently rent-free, and is/has been occupied by Royal Treatment and Intertia records, Zombie bikes and Burro Bags. These companies pay for utilities, keep up the grounds, did their own "build out," and add vibrancy to the Historic District. I think one of the record shops did not make it, but I believe the other businesses are flourishing?

[mtraininjax]

Incubators are a great idea and can work.

Who can go see the mayor, without laughing at him, and ask him for space to start up this program?