Landing bill moves forward without preservation funds, but mayor may veto

[Debbie Thompson]

I have to take more time to dissect it, because ordinances are never written in plain English, but it seems to me a lot of amendment six is dependent upon The Landing getting parking in the non-existent parking garage which will now never be built by Cameron Kuhn.  Am I reading that right? If so, how is the obligation fulfilled if the garage was never built?

[fieldafm]

They're interpretation is that they only owe the money in a very finite sense as part of a parking garage construction project.  The problem with that is that the ordinance recognizes they have an obligation to provide the Landing dedicated parking... the solution to the problem as the amendment states was to wrap it up with Kuhn's proposed parking garage plans.  Just b/c Kuhn failed to live up to his end of the bargain doesnt let the city off the hook for the parking obligation... they simply have to find a different solution.  

The Landing has offered you the simplest solution available.  Now, just get it done.  Get the rent money that would then start flowing from this agreement.  All the while, helping to better anchor all the money being spent on Laura Street.  

The 190k people that won't have their Metro Park experience vastly improved without more 'flex space' will still probably come back for the 12 events next year as well.  I surmise that a few liquored-up concert goers don't really care about flex space.

[Kay]

What I have the most problem with is that Sleiman requested that the taxpayers to the tune of $2.5 million subsidize Landing patrons parking.  He will own the lot.  He can choose to allow his patrons free parking.  I do not think taxpayers money should go towards that. 

[Doctor_K]

Mattius, there is a very brilliant man in charge of the City Planning, Bill Killingsworth.  Its the execution and lack of political vision that cripples this place.  JTA could use some help however, as could our Chamber and development community.

Luckily we have the likes of you, Ennis, and Bob around here, eh?

Talk about a dream team!

[thelakelander]

What I have the most problem with is that Sleiman requested that the taxpayers to the tune of $2.5 million subsidize Landing patrons parking.  He will own the lot.  He can choose to allow his patrons free parking.  I do not think taxpayers money should go towards that. 

Is the $2.5 million to validate shopper parking at this lot or at city owned lots in general?  Also, does anyone know how much Sleiman will have to pay in rent once the parking situation is finally taken care of?  I'm interested to see what the true numbers of this deal look like.

[mtraininjax]

The money Humana paid, should have sat in escrow for the Landing owners, Sleiman or Roush or another owner. The fact that the owner of the Landing has never received the money is really an issue, but why does Tony need parking now? City tore up Laura street, so that to get to his parking lot you have to go East on Bay and loop back around, not exactly parking friendly, and yet it sits empty most of the time. He should be marketing for people to use the water taxi and park on the southbank.

[thelakelander]

The center needs "dedicated" parking to have a better chance at attracting a couple of anchor national tenants.  This is something the city promised to Rouse and has still not provided.  However, DT does not need more parking, which is why its better to utilize an existing lot (like the one Sleiman wants) instead of building another garage.

[cline]

The center needs "dedicated" parking to have a better chance at attracting a couple of anchor national tenants.  This is something the city promised to Rouse and has still not provided.  However, DT does not need more parking, which is why its better to utilize an existing lot (like the one Sleiman wants) instead of building another garage.

Sleiman touts this dedicated parking as the golden egg that will completely revitilize The Landing.  I'd like to know what restaurants have come to him and explicitly said they would definitely locate at the Landing IF there was dedicated parking.  Has there been 2, 3, 50???  Sleiman makes it sounds like restaurants are beating down his door if he gets a dedicated park lot.  I'm not sure I buy it.

[fsujax]

I have often thought the same thing. I wish Sleiman would put it out there. It can only help his case. If he has then I guess I missed it. I am sure I will be corrected.

[tufsu1]

I have often thought the same thing. I wish Sleiman would put it out there. It can only help his case. If he has then I guess I missed it. I am sure I will be corrected.

you haven't missed anything fsujax

[buckethead]

I owe you some money.

You want me to pay it.

After I continually refuse/neglect to pay it, you tell me you need the money to feed yourself and your family. Without the money you will starve.

That complaint turns out to be untrue, and your family eats well in spite of the false claim of potential starvation.

I still owe you the money.

From the COJ/Jax Landing perspective, this is what matters. The city owes the landing dedicated parking. (< That is a period)

[JeffreyS]

The center needs "dedicated" parking to have a better chance at attracting a couple of anchor national tenants.  This is something the city promised to Rouse and has still not provided.  However, DT does not need more parking, which is why its better to utilize an existing lot (like the one Sleiman wants) instead of building another garage.

Sleiman touts this dedicated parking as the golden egg that will completely revitilize The Landing.  I'd like to know what restaurants have come to him and explicitly said they would definitely locate at the Landing IF there was dedicated parking.  Has there been 2, 3, 50???  Sleiman makes it sounds like restaurants are beating down his door if he gets a dedicated park lot.  I'm not sure I buy it.

Sleilman has put out there that dedicated parking has been an obstacle to signing some national chains yes.

But it really isn't relevant the city committed to this or they didn't.  23 years is enough time to live up to the commitment or prove in court that you are not responsible for the parking money.  At this point the city has not lived up to the commitment even while the council has affirmed their responsibility by trying to pass funding several times in the past.

The time has long passed for debating the whys and should we the city signed up for this or they didn't and while I have not read the contract the city own behavior indicates to me they signed. End of story.

[thelakelander]

The center needs "dedicated" parking to have a better chance at attracting a couple of anchor national tenants.  This is something the city promised to Rouse and has still not provided.  However, DT does not need more parking, which is why its better to utilize an existing lot (like the one Sleiman wants) instead of building another garage.

Sleiman touts this dedicated parking as the golden egg that will completely revitilize The Landing.  I'd like to know what restaurants have come to him and explicitly said they would definitely locate at the Landing IF there was dedicated parking.  Has there been 2, 3, 50???  Sleiman makes it sounds like restaurants are beating down his door if he gets a dedicated park lot.  I'm not sure I buy it.

This is bigger than Sleiman and the burden of proof should not be on him to get the city to live up to it's promises.  Rouse said the same thing and the city made a promise to provide dedicated parking for the site 23 years ago and the situation is still unresolved.  At some point, its ethical to keep your word.  With that in mind, although its been proven that dedicated parking is an important part of retail site selection and even if you don't agree with that reality, the city finally living up to their promise will trigger annual rent payments on the waterfront property.  There is no other investment out there on the table that will immediately stimulate income to a financially strapped community with the potential to improve the downtown environment around it.

[fieldafm]

There is no other investment out there on the table that will immediately stimulate income to a financially strapped community with the potential to improve the downtown environment around it.

That's a pretty compelling statement Lake!

[fsujax]

I know this is bigger than Sleiman and I agree the City should live up to its word. All I am saying it would help Sleiman to put names out there. I know the Landing is revenue ready and the City should embrace that!