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

[thelakelander]

It would seem if the idea was to reduce the amount of lanes, a significant portion of traffic would have to be diverted.  With the Mayor on his way out in a year, I think the Main Street thing may be dead now.  If it comes back to life, I would hope that two-waying Main and Ocean would be included.  Especially the block between State and Union.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Wow I remember this from metjax, that was a while back and we still havent moved anywhere. Kinda like being in traffic for life with no exits. This is how our river front should look and were still debating about parking.

Its been 30 yrs plus and running. Its time to stop with the BS!!

5 years is not a very long time when it comes to planning....often, it takes 10-20 years to implement even the best ideas.

[Captain Zissou]

Here you go:

The Southbank plan was and still is amazing.  Funny that it is still a progressive idea years ahead of what our current administration has come up with, despite the years they have had to wise up. 

My only addition to the plan would be to add density to RCBC and the surrounding area.  That restaurant is sprawled out across that lot.  We could make that a West Palm Beach Cityplace type development.  We could build that out around RCBC, use phased construction and relocate them, or have a very temporary closure of the restaurant. 

If it had different uses, it wouldn't have to be a competitor of the Landing, it could compliment it.  Think of two entertainment complexes straddling the St Johns with frequent ferry trips between the two and an expanded pedestrian walkway on the west side of the Main Street Bridge.  Heck, that might even create enough foot traffic for a hot dog cart!!

[cline]

Let's go ahead and assume that The Landing gets its dedicated parking.  I can already see Sleiman's next argument coming:  "I'm not going to reconfigure The Landing since I don't own the land that it sits on".  He won't even spend money right now to paint it.

[tufsu1]

good point cline

[fieldafm]

They just have the misfortune of being inadequate at a time where something extraordinary is crucial.

That sums it up quite nicely.

Everyone looks like a genious when times are good.  All you have to do is follow the herd with the biggest pile of money.  It's when times are most difficult that oppurtunity is most ripe.  True brilliance is shown when the challenge is greatest.

I truly believe we have a very bright future.  We can be the 'bold new city of the South' again.

[kells904]

With the future of the Landing still somewhat in the air, seems to me painting it is pretty unimportant.  If I were Sleiman, I wouldn't be hitting up Sherwin Williams any time soon; instead I'd be trying to get the parking situation squared away, and filling up all those empty slots with tenants.  If prospective tennants made mention of the need of a paint job..., then, maybe.

[tufsu1]

kells904...have you been there lately...a paint job is sorely needed

[thelakelander]

Let's go ahead and assume that The Landing gets its dedicated parking.  I can already see Sleiman's next argument coming:  "I'm not going to reconfigure The Landing since I don't own the land that it sits on".  He won't even spend money right now to paint it.

In a worst case scenario, nothing changes from today except that the city lives up to its obligation, starts collecting rent and an existing lot/sidewalk/plaza is improved.  What's wrong with that?

[Keith-N-Jax]

good point cline

who can blame him and what does the city gain by holding on to the land besides lost taxes,,,good point huh!

[ChriswUfGator]

kells904...have you been there lately...a paint job is sorely needed

That would be silly, from a business perspective.

Sleiman acquired a majority shareholder's interest in JLI Investments Corp., nothing more. He's not personally obligated on the lease, and as you noted he doesn't even own the property. So if COJ screws him on parking (again), then we really have to assume that his end-game is probably a corporate BK liquidation by JLI Corp., or some other method for walking away, which is entirely possible given the ownership structure.

He's a smart guy, he's not going to keep throwing money into a property which has never made money at any point during its entire existence, especially when COJ is intentionally keeping him hamstrung from making the changes needed to generate a profit. At some point he's going to say "If COJ wants to run the place, then they can pay for it."

With all that in mind, he'd be an idiot to go dumping money into the place until the disputes are resolved.

[cline]

In a worst case scenario, nothing changes from today except that the city lives up to its obligation, starts collecting rent and an existing lot/sidewalk/plaza is improved.  What's wrong with that?

Nothing.  My comment was more directed to those that seem to think that by providing parking, The Landing will now become the St. Johns Town Center of downtown.  But hey, if the City needs to spend a few million for parking to get The Landing on the tax rolls then go for it.

[thelakelander]

Okay.  Yes, the Landing and the SJTC are two different styles of retail development.  The Landing's future is really more dining/entertainment based than traditional retail.  In any event, anything to improve the Landing also improves downtown.  Aside from being ethical and keeping your word (this is enough to resolve the deal to me), if the goal is to improve DT, ignoring the Landing makes little sense.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Who said that. Maybe we should do nothing and hope UPS delivers a thriving core via the mainstreet bridge. Better yet I'll stop through Baltimore on my way back, pack up their water front district and bring it. 11 hr drive vs 30 yrs plus waiting, which would u guys like?

[mySpringfield]

I don't think anyone has any illusion that parking is the Landing's only issue and that resolving it solves all of it's issues.  But it is the biggest issue.  They need to at least be able to have conversations with prospective anchor tenants.  They can't event do that now.   The city has an obligation and they need to fulfill it, period.