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

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

the building's fine--sleiman's just a total bleeding wanker who wants to promote it solely as a night spot and doesn't seem bothered by the fact that any business in it that doesn't serve alcohol is failing.

not all ov the landing's problems are his fault, ov course, but if he'd aggregate his fecal matter, it'd be doïng a lot better.

as fart as the security guard sgo, i just don't know.  i've never had or seen any problems with any ov them.  on the other hand, i haven't spent much time there in a while--maybe there's been a lot ov turnover; i know that a lot ov the longtime security was less than thrilled with some ov the policy changes when the contract was bought (i forget the details, but about two years ago, one ov the big companies bought out the small one that had the landing's contract--they kept the same people, but changed all the rules).

[urbaknight]

We must not forget that Sleiman is sly.  He is very manipulative in just about all of his deals, and he is the one responsible for half of our awful strip centers we so despise.  I am giving Mayor Peyton the benefit of the doubt on this because while Peyton is certainly not a great mayor and very shortsighted with vision, he is shrewd with business/money and he may know something that we do not.  Regardless, I would more than love to see the Landing have parking and be opened up just the like the rest of us.

http://www.youtube.com/v/jvkMVRG996M

We should start calling him "Sprawlman" instead of Sleiman.

[fsujax]

i am still waiting on the big annoucement! i'm getting a little impatient.

[thelakelander]

Have they even closed on the property yet? 

[tufsu1]

I heard today that Twisted Martini wanted to open something new but Sleiman raised their rent....so they walked.

Then the restaurants complained about less traffiic since Twisted closed and Toney had to go back groveling....the Twisted folks said "not interested"

Luckily, the owner of Vitos & Bennys picked up the lease option...apparently they plan to open an Irish Pub in the space....they will open up for FL-GA and then close for renovations.

On a similar note, Hooters usually opens another location at The Landing for FL-GA weekend...apparently Sleiman wanted too much for the old brewery space so they also said no thanks.

[JeffreyS]

Irish pub sounds good.

[fieldafm]

Have they even closed on the property yet?

No

I heard today that Twisted Martini wanted to open something new but Sleiman raised their rent....so they walked.

Then the restaurants complained about less traffiic since Twisted closed and Toney had to go back groveling....the Twisted folks said "not interested"

Luckily, the owner of Vitos & Bennys picked up the lease option...apparently they plan to open an Irish Pub in the space....they will open up for FL-GA and then close for renovations.

On a similar note, Hooters usually opens another location at The Landing for FL-GA weekend...apparently Sleiman wanted too much for the old brewery space so they also said no thanks.

Thats an interesting slant.  Especially about the Twisted situation.

Hooters temporarily expanded their space for the game two years ago b/c the old Dona Marias location was vacant.  The space you're refering to(which gets rented out for private parties) is also being rented out for a private party for FL/GA this year.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Southend brewery was a great place - it's such a shame that places like that couldn't stay solvent.  I went to the one in Charleston, SC a few times also - good brew.

[fieldafm]

You could possibly get something similar...

[tufsu1]

Hooters temporarily expanded their space for the game two years ago b/c the old Dona Marias location was vacant.  The space you're refering to(which gets rented out for private parties) is also being rented out for a private party for FL/GA this year.

Hooters also used the old Ruby Tuesday space (now Chicago Pizza) in 2007

[fieldafm]

Forgot about that... you're right.

I wouldnt say though that there was some big screw job going on with the Blue/brewhouse space for FL/GA... the landlord had two scenarios and chose the one that was better financially.  That's not exactly breaking news for the single biggest weekend of the year.

BTW, a lot of the restaurants got SCREWED last year when COJ/JSD/ETC made it almost impossible to get INTO The Landing the Friday of 09 FL/GA weekend.  That's not going to happen again this year.

[tufsu1]

I agree....he should seek the highest and best offer

and yes....last year's thing was soley to show FL and GA that the City could control traffic and drinking....so they'd renew the contract....now its a free for all again

[simms3]

Can someone answer a few questions for me? ::

Shouldn't we blame Sleiman and the city for the Landing's woes?  Points:
-Sleiman knows how to do a shopping center
-He has a ground lease, which usually are for 99 years and allows the "tenant" to build whatever zoning permits on the ground
-Sleiman has received incentives if I remember correctly right?

-The city still has not honored its contract to build a garage
-The city is not very business friendly at least for downtown (policy wise)


The Twisted Martini "was" the Landing as it has stood the past few years.  Why would Sleiman do *anything* to jeopardize chasing them away?  Also I can't symathize very much with someone who has contributed to the majority of ugly strip centers in town, including an ugly one on Roosevelt with crappy tenants and a crappy design (the old St. Johns Theater was better there than what is there now).  I have heard of Sleiman being shady before and very bullheaded.

Should we consider it a good thing that he is in control of the Landing?  Or do we think someone else could do a better job and should try to wrest control/take over the lease?

[fieldafm]

Ok, first off... you havent been to the Landing in perhaps a long time.  It is very busy on the weekends.  I can post pictures from each of the last 6 weeks(except last week b/c I was in Tallahassee for the FSU game) and it has been bustling with people.  During the Denver and Philadelphia/Jags games I encountered many out of town people patronizing the Landing talking about what an asset is it for the city.  So, the people that complain about it are kind of off putting.

-He has a ground lease, which usually are for 99 years and allows the "tenant" to build whatever zoning permits on the ground

Its a standard leasehold agreement.  The city reneged on the promise of selling the land.  That killed a lot of the incentive to immediately dump money into reconfiguring the building.  And with the commercial real estate market the way it is today... lets not chastise someone for not wanting to come off some major cash for big capital spending projects, especially in downtown Jacksonville.  Sleiman is anything but dumb.  I think the building will get reconfigured eventually, but the stars have to align first.

-Sleiman has received incentives if I remember correctly right?

For buying the parking lot and parking voucher payments, yes.  Which hasn't happened just yet.  For anything else, no.

The Twisted Martini "was" the Landing as it has stood the past few years.

Twisted was kind of a dump.  Thats my opinion.  It just wasnt relevant.  The pictue tufsu painted about the Twisted situation is not as accurate as you would believe.  What is going to replace the space is going to be pretty awesome IMO.

including an ugly one on Roosevelt with crappy tenants and a crappy design

OMG, you're right.  The last thing the neighborhood needs is a Pet Supermarket, La Nop, Pinch A Penny and a Crispers.  I mean Lord knows no one in Ortega/Riverside-Avondale/Westside has pets(the area has a higher pet owner population per capita than anywhere in the city), we already have great Mexican restaurants like West Inn and Dona Marias and dont need anymore(whoops, they both closed), and no one in the area has pools(I do).

Do I miss St Johns Theatre?  Yeah, it holds all kind of nostalgia for myself and my family(my aunt and uncle met there).  But I sure do love La Nop and getting the pool's ph levels checked is pretty darn convenient.

I have heard of Sleiman being shady before and very bullheaded.

And how exactly has he screwed you over? 
Regency tried putting a WalMart at the beach that people protested over and Aqua East sued over.  Are they also shady?  Or are they not shady now b/c there is a better Publix in the neighborhood? 

The city of Jacksonville Beach wouldnt think Sleiman is shady, just check out their town center.

Should we consider it a good thing that he is in control of the Landing?  Or do we think someone else could do a better job and should try to wrest control/take over the lease?

Go ahead and make an offer then... money talks.  There wasnt exactly a line of buyers when Rouse jumped ship.


I mean, c'mon man... why don't you let us all know what vendetta you hold against Sleiman?

[Ethylene]

Side bar: The Landing is currently experiencing a new and indelicate issue, a plumbing matter of some sort. I've breezed in and out over the past few weeks and there is what seems like a raw sewage smell inside centered around the central thruway! Very disgusting and not the least bit appetizing to the routine user much less the out of town guest! Needs to be resolved asap, me thinks!