Greetings from The Jacksonville Landing

[JaxLanding]

vicupstate:
Thanks!  I am really liking it so far!
Yeah, Peterbrooke.....(sigh).  To answer your question, I would say that it's not completely off our radar of possibilities.  Having them move to The Landing just makes so much sense.  Specifically, it would add the one thing we have been wanting for quite some time; an attraction.  Just think of what it would draw.....school field trips, convention/reunion and corporate business ordering personalized logo chocolate bars, tours of the factory, etc.........simply amazing! To make it happen it will require, again, - a public/private partnership.  But we agree that The Landing would be that perfect location for Peterbrooke.

I can't say that RAM has been a big draw for The Landing, but I can say that it has had such a positive impact for all of downtown Jacksonville.  Many people who had never been downtown, or hadn't been downtown in a while, are now finding their way and coming back often.  I think what that has done is put us on the map and made some people think of going downtown and experiencing all that it has to offer.  They may come for RAM one weekend and then come to The Landing the next.

I would love to see the response from candidates in the 2011 mayoral race concerning their willingness to let a private business buy the land and be able to finally work towards some needed improvements.  If the response is favorable, it would also be interesting to ask if they would hold that promise after elected.  But, vicupstate, I truly appreciate your support.  I love communicating with people who have taken the time to do their research!

[JaxLanding]

tufsu1:
You are right!!  I actually toured that group from the APA Florida Conference and got a sneak peak at their findings.  It was definitely interesting and we really appreciated their efforts!  I'll be at the luncheon on Friday, too - in case you are there.  Come and say hello!

[KenFSU]

KenFSU:
We will be using the artificial tree that we introduced last year.  Were you able to see it?  It is really nice because we use L.E.D. lights (more than 78,000 of them) which saves our electric usage by 80%.  And the tree is a show of its own.  Every hour, on the hour beginning at 6pm, the tree performs a 10 min. synchronized light show set to holiday music selections.  There are three rotating shows, so the 6pm show is different than the 7pm show and the 8pm show.  Then it repeats:  the 9pm show is the one that played at 6pm.  Those shows will continue throughout the holiday season and is really a nice option for families during the holidays.  You can grab a bite to eat and then watch the free tree show!

I must admit, I was skeptical, bordering on heartbroken, when I heard the tree would be artificial. I believe I even made a thread on this very forum expressing said disappointment. And then I went down to The Landing and saw her in action. It was love at first sight. Though I'd never tolerate an artificial tree in my own home, I think you guys made a good choice. Not only do you save a ton of money, but you spare chopping down a decades-old tree

Welcome, by the way!

[urbanlibertarian]

JaxLanding wrote "I would love to see the response from candidates in the 2011 mayoral race concerning their willingness to let a private business buy the land and be able to finally work towards some needed improvements."

It would be a win-win for the taxpayers as well.  The revenues from the sale and the annual dividends in the form of property taxes.

[blizz01]

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-forgotten-proposals-the-jacksonville-quay

I agree that a seafood market could work - even if limited too the weekend - as discussed before, incorporated with RAM.

BTW, has there been any additional movement toward utilizing the River Taxis on Saturdays to & from RAM?

[JaxLanding]

KenFSU:
We wrestled with the same feelings you expressed when we thought about changing to an artificial tree.  We had been using a real one for SO long, but we wanted to find something that could continue to bring traffic here for our merchants throughout the holiday season.  We thought this tree was a perfect fit for our needs because it does a show of its own and would be something that people could make plans to enjoy several times during the season. (as a kid I remember driving around my with parents looking at lights on houses...so this tree show would have been SO much fun!) And to be honest, our real trees never looked very pretty after being up for a month and a half.  The river wind and salty air bring havoc to anything (real or fake) left out for a long period of time.  It was all we could do back in the day to try to keep it looking less "charlie-brown-esque".
BUT - I am so glad to hear that you kept an open mind and came out to see the tree last year.  It is a lot of fun and can make for a pretty inexpensive family-friendly event!

[Reaper man]

wait, there's a Chicago pizza at the landing now?!

WHY HASN'T ANYONE TOLD ME THIS!?