Should Jax invest in a new convention center?

[thelakelander]

^That would be the point of relocating it next to the Hyatt.  It would help support the struggling things (Jacksonville Landing, Hyatt, Florida Theater, Bay Street entertainment district, etc.) that residents would like to see successful.  I for one would like to see a holistic plan for COJ owned property in the DT area be vetted before making expensive decisions on the convention center either way.

[Tacachale]

^IF we're going to spend taxpayer money on a new convention center, holistic planning would be the right way to go about it. But we shouldn't base our plans around a center being created, it remains to be seen if we should (or even could) build one.

[Ocklawaha]

They Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City is literally in the middle of downtown as are many others. But OKC has an edge, it is:
150 feet to the Amtrak Station,
150 feet to NEW Arena,
150 feet to hotel Marriot,  ,
150 feet to hotel Renaissance,
150 feet to Myriad Gardens Park,
300 feet to hotel Westin,
300 feet  to Bricktown (think New Orleans and toss in the San Antonio Riverwalk)
700 feet to Union Bus Station
1,800 feet to NEW Baseball Park,
2,000 feet to Harkin 16 Theaters,
3,800 feet to Bass Pro,

Now lets look at the Prime Osbourn Convention Center:

2,300 feet to Bus Station
2,300 feet to Omni Hotel
2,300 feet to Times-Union Center
2,500 feet to River Walk
2,800 feet to Jacksonville Landing
5,000 feet to Friendship Park
5,000 feet to MOSH
6,300 feet to Baseball
6,600 feet to Arena

Do the math people... not to mention that in the summer we have 100% humidity.

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

^IF we're going to spend taxpayer money on a new convention center, holistic planning would be the right way to go about it. But we shouldn't base our plans around a center being created, it remains to be seen if we should (or even could) build one.

We shouldn't pay $180 million for four transportation centers to be built around something that "may or may not" be there by the time the transportation center is complete either.  With that said, I have no problem putting the breaks on the JRTC and forcing the city to make a sound decision on the future of both before having a Duval County Courthouse II situation on our hands.

Btw, maybe it's just me but I find it really silly that we can't quickly come to some resolution on this.  After all, its not like the Prime Osborn is privately owned.  I can only imagine what would happen if we were working with an urban site with multiple owners and really complex site constraints.  Maybe we'd end up with a $150 million less costly solution like St. Louis.


http://66.151.101.112/transportation-projects/st-louis-gateway-transportation-center.aspx

[duvaldude08]

Let's just be glad a new convention center is on the table. Until the new court house opens and the muscial chairs begin, there is no much they can do but what has already been done... Renderings and discussing how it will be fpaid or. Once the site is vacant, I think we will have a better idea what we will with the new and old convention center. That is why JRTC needs to be put to a complete hault as well. There is just too much that has to be considered.

[Tacachale]

I don't know that we should be glad. It would be cool to use the Prime Osborne for something else, but would a new convention center really attract enough new convention business to be worth the cost? Especially considering this year's budget cuts.

And as far as the transportation center goes, it's not a stretch to be concerned about planning a $180 dollar transit center that's contingent upon us also building a $150 million convention center (or however much it would be). We have a LOT more thinking to do before we commit to these projects.

[duvaldude08]

I agree. I just want them to be done right. Both of them. We can not afford (literally) for anything to go wrong. Weve screwed up enough as is LOL As long as Mayor Brown keeps a tight grip on the project(s), I think everything will pan out fine. But I do believe having a state of the art covention is a must. Even city as small as Daytona has bigger and better covention centers than we do. Its time for us to step up our game if we want to be considered a true "major city".

[Ocklawaha]

All distances from Google Map are approximent following sidewalks within downtown.

Now lets look at the Prime Osbourn Convention Center:

2,300 feet to Bus Station
2,300 feet to Full Service Restaurants
2,300 feet to Omni Hotel
2,300 feet to Times-Union Center
2,500 feet to River Walk
2,800 feet to Jacksonville Landing
5,000 feet to Friendship Park
5,000 feet to MOSH
6,300 feet to Baseball
6,600 feet to Arena

The Courthouse Site

2,300 feet to Bus Station
150 feet to Full Service Restaurants
2,100 feet to Omni Hotel
150 feet from Hyatt Hotel
2,100 feet to Times Union Center
150  feet to River Walk
900 feet to Jacksonville Landing
1,800 feet to Friendship Park
2,300 feet tp MOSH
3,400 feet to Baseball
3,600 feet to Arena

Everbank Field Parking Lot Site:

6,800 feet to Bus Station
4,400 feet to Full Service Restaurants
6,500 feet from Omni
4,400 feet from, Hyatt
1,600 feet to Baseball
1,900 feet to Arena
5,550 feet to Times-Union Center
700 feet to River Walk
5,700 feet to Jacksonville Landing
6,200 feet to Friendship Park
6,700 feet to MOSH
1,000 feet to Baseball
1,300 feet to Arena

Which one would YOU like to visit?

OCKLAWAHA