Downtown retail surge brings more investors

[thelakelander]

Flowing strong
Downtown retail surge brings more investors

Jacksonville Business Journal - July 6, 2007
by Christian ConteStaff Writer


JACKSONVILLE -- Jacksonville firefighter Mike Maloney couldn't think of a better place to launch his new pizzeria than Downtown Jacksonville.

He and his two firefighter/pizzeria partners, Jacksonville firefighter Capt. Jason Tidwell and former New Jersey firefighter Nick Delcalzo, are among a growing number of retailers and restaurateurs who are choosing Downtown over other parts of the city.

"We think it's going to be a prime location," the New Jersey transplant said of Jacksonville's core, "and so we wanted to get a prime spot while it's still cheap."

About 670,818 square feet of space is devoted to retail Downtown, according to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Downtown Retail Taskforce. An additional 57,300 square feet is under construction and 573,165 square feet is proposed. Construction of the proposed space would increase retail space Downtown by 85 percent.

Maloney hopes to open Nicky G's Brick Oven Pizza in a 4,000-square-foot space at 119 E. Bay St. by August. He intends to target Downtown workers during weekdays, families in the evenings and Downtown bar patrons on weekends.

Although it was once the department store center of Jacksonville, most retailers retreated from Downtown until the conversion of two historic buildings to apartments and the construction of four new residential projects since the early 2000s that added Downtown residents to the market.

Retail growth Downtown has been slower until this year when a credit union, a book store, a hair salon retail shop and two art galleries opened and one relocated. Five restaurants or coffee shops also opened and several existing restaurants extended their hours.

Tastings, a Wine Experience opened June 1 at 1515 Prudential Drive. In its first month of business, franchisees Peter and Elizabeth Miller doubled their expected revenue at the automated self-service wine bar by earning more than $62,000.

"Our business has been phenomenal," Peter Miller said. "I just think Jacksonville is one of the underrated cities in the country."

full article: http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2007/07/09/story2.html

[thelakelander]

Its great that Doug reads the site.  Maybe you should ask if he would like to advertise to help ensure that we remain a daily source of entertainment for him and his buddies?

[Lunican]

And you and your bloggers are considered a joke by every successful businessperson in downtown that I have ever encountered.

Mark Rimmer doesn't like us for obvious reasons and the Jax Daily Record is just pissed off that more people read this site than their paper.

[tufsu1]

and clearly mean-spirited discussion, like those above, will continue to increase the "power" and respectability of this website!

[thelakelander]

I don't know Doug personally and I have nothing against him.  If he wishes to advertise, even if it's for his enjoyment, I don't have a problem with it.

[spidey]

Stephendare:  Sadly my faith needs strengthening before I will be able to do this.

Don't we all.   

[thelakelander]

I wouldn't go out on the limb and say what needs to change has been implemented.  Relaxing the parking ordinance was a start, but if you really want to see the retail environment bloom there's still more that needs to be done.  Installation of smart meters, parking garage signage and pedestrian/vehicular wayfaring signage and keeping BRT off downtown's main streets remain at the top of that list.  With Suzanne Jenkins gone, that means we're going to have to explain from the beginning to Redman, why these things are important.

[thelakelander]

Here's a few...

Efficient permitting.

Less task forces, consultants, study groups, etc. more action.

better public park and open space maintenance.

Better utilization of existing mass transit options.

Embrace the concept of clustering and connectivity.

Enforce the 2000 Downtown Master Plan recommendations on zoning/site layouts,etc.

Better public coordination (The JEDC, DVI, JTA, Council, Mayor's Office, etc. should talk to each other about their plans and visions for the downtown core to make sure all developments complement each other).

The creation of a public agency who's purpose is to recruit business to the core only (similar to a mall's management office).

[zoo]

I'm sympathetic to all human conditions, but isn't there already a homeless shelter (IMSulzbacher)? Whoops, if I'm mistaken. Do we really need another one downtown, if I'm not?

[downtownparks]

I think that is his point.

[thelakelander]

That would be nice since the council may consider getting rid of them altogether.

[jaxhater]

I'm shocked......I thought the Downtown burned down years ago.
1901, 1902, are you telling me they're thinking about rebuilding it.
They should start rebuilding near the river.
That would be a perfect place to put the jail, courthouse and parking.

[downtownparks]

Oh boy. we have our very own troll!!!

[RockStar]

What was the point of resurrecting this 5yo post, SD?

[tufsu1]

he's just trying to put digs on on certain posters (in this case, me)....but considering all of the new small busisnesses that have opened at the Landing and other downtown spots lately, it has very little value.