Re-Envisioning Shipyards/Convention center

[thelakelander]

Savannah's convention center has been around for a while now and there is still only one hotel adjacent to it on Hutchinson Island.  Our center has been around for 20 years and there is still no hotel, restaurants or entertainment adjacent. 

Nevertheless, like you I do believe a well located center and surrounding environment will eventually grow to the point where additional hotels will be feasible.  I just believe it won't be anytime soon and we're better off better utilizing what we already have from the start.

[JaxNative68]

savannah's convention center and hotel was built at the same time.  Westin was courted to Hutchinson Island by the building of the convention center.  where they are built, the are cut off from the city, you either have to drive or take a river taxi.  but savannah is much more pedestrian friendly, if you take the river taxi, its just a nice rest during your walk about.  I just afraid the urban fabric in DT Jax isn't strong enough to get people behind building a new convension center.  My fear is that it will get more backing in the burbs.

[thelakelander]

The city already owns the land and has heavily invested in the Hyatt, Bay Street Town Center and Riverwalk.  Can't imagine it going in the burbs.  In that scenerio, it would most likely cost more to subsidize another 1,000 room hotel, purchase land and build adjacent entertainment and dining uses.  Short of SJTC donating their surface parking lot for a new convention center, there is really no other site in town with as many supporting components already in place.   

[CS Foltz]

tufsu not 2005 but 2001! That Bldg was empty period, no elevator power and 18 stories up in the dark, lots of fun! Bldg did have power, but empty and nasty foul smelling! T Mobile is the only one with 4 sector's upstairs and you can see the antenna's on the outside of the bldg face on all 4 sides. East side was hooked up on Game day at the cabinets..........they don't use that side anymore, have enough sites to pick up the slack around the Stadium!

[tufsu1]

tufsu not 2005 but 2001!

guess that about sums it up...you haven't been there since Vestcor got the building and renovated it....I suggest you take some time to visit both buildings before bemoaning the loan/grant provided by the City.

[CS Foltz]

tufsu my biggest issue is with all of the low cost loans, which I could not get, and an outright Grant! I understand incentives and tax breaks and the neccesity, but have to ask where is the limit? We are allready in the hole and keep getting deeper! A moritorium or a freeze might be suggested till we can get revenue's up, but to keep giving and giving is not smart over the long range outlook when you don't have the resources! You want to raise taxes but don't discuss keeping the outflow within reason, you cant spend more than you get!