Black Sheep Restaurant Group Planning New Restaurant for 5 Points

[Allan D]

That's a real small footprint within which to provide an elevator and handicapped restrooms on every level too.

Anybody know who the architect is?

Design Cooperative on Hendricks Avenue.  They should have been credited long ago.  And there are actually 2 staircases, handicapped restrooms on every public floor, an elevator and a dumbwaiter to get food to the roof.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

handicapped restrooms on every public floor

Is there an "ACLU" representing the restrooms, also - you have to have handicapped ones as well as regular ones???

[Jerry Moran]

 Having built / renovated 5 restaurant spaces over the years, my impression, after dealing with the Government (plural), is that the restrooms are the most important and troublesome part of the project.  As my sainted father once remarked to an Orange Park building inspector "They're coming here to eat, not to shit", but that's not how the inspector saw it.

Good luck building anything these days.  Don't forget the fire sprinklers!  I have no doubt Jonathan will get it done.

[Dog Walker]

Westsider,  All commercial buildings have to have restrooms that are accessible by wheelchairs.  That imposes a long list of design criteria giving these restrooms a much larger footprint than the one in your home.

Hats off to the Design Cooperative making this work in such a small footprint and mixed use too!

Sure parking is going to be a problem, but clustering clubs, restaurants etc. into a small area adds to the excitement and vibe.  People will walk a couple of blocks.

[904Scars]

Sure parking is going to be a problem, but clustering clubs, restaurants etc. into a small area adds to the excitement and vibe.  People will walk a couple of blocks.

Agreed, that and most people visiting the building will more than likely live in the "urban core" so they are generally use to the parking / walking scenario. I don't see it being a big problem at all. I'm definately excited to see more coming into 5-Points! Hopefully we can fill some of these empties in the main strip soon as well.

[thelakelander]

Parking problems are a good thing. It means people want to be in your district and increases the need for viable mass transit. Anyway, there's on-street parking on Lomax between Oak and Riverside if you're willing to walk a block or two. I'm looking forward to this getting off the ground and filling in one of the last gaps on Margaret Street.

[RiversideLoki]

The other thing people don't realize about the parking situation is that yes, parking in 5-points can suck sometimes. But it's no indication of how well a business will do because so many people walk/bike to 5-points.

I personally have a hard time taking anyone seriously that doesn't want to walk a block or two from their car to where they're eating.

[904Scars]

The other thing people don't realize about the parking situation is that yes, parking in 5-points can suck sometimes. But it's no indication of how well a business will do because so many people walk/bike to 5-points.

I personally have a hard time taking anyone seriously that doesn't want to walk a block or two from their car to where they're eating.

Agreed! When I lived off James St last year I had no problem walking to 5-Points from there. I think if anything the "lack" of parking forces visitors to walk past the other stores and attractions in 5-Points instead of parking right in front of their desired location and walking straight in.

[Miss Fixit]

The other thing people don't realize about the parking situation is that yes, parking in 5-points can suck sometimes. But it's no indication of how well a business will do because so many people walk/bike to 5-points.

I personally have a hard time taking anyone seriously that doesn't want to walk a block or two from their car to where they're eating.

Heck, we bike to 5 points from San Marco and Springfield - that way we can eat more when we get there!

[904Scars]

I personally (being an avid biker) would like to see more attention toward bike racks and special areas designated for those riding bicycles. I think if more people see the attention toward alternative transportation, then more may be prone to ride and or walk. Hopefully the plans proposed have some cool bike racks incorporated into the development, after all it is the urban core and a good percentage of us do ride.

[Captain Zissou]

+1

I am planning on moving to Riverside in a couple months, and a big reason for it is the walkable/bikable nature of the area.  Any place with a few spots for bikes would get my business.  I think there are many people in the area who would love to bike, but don't, because there aren't adequate facilities for them.

[Dog Walker]

All of us who live in Riverside and bike a lot to get places make do.  The lamp posts, the trees, the fences in front of Mossfire and O'Brothers all get used.  The tough one is the Publix complex.  There is only one rack or the fence at Publix itself.  European Street Cafe has a rack that is heavily used.

Wish some of the merchants in the area would put up some of those neat "bicycle topped" posts like they have on the Northbank Riverwalk.  They don't take up much space.

[cline]

Parking problems are a good thing. It means people want to be in your district and increases the need for viable mass transit. Anyway, there's on-street parking on Lomax between Oak and Riverside if you're willing to walk a block or two. I'm looking forward to this getting off the ground and filling in one of the last gaps on Margaret Street.

Parking is also available in the garage in 1661 on the first and (maybe) second floors.

[904Scars]

All of us who live in Riverside and bike a lot to get places make do.  The lamp posts, the trees, the fences in front of Mossfire and O'Brothers all get used.  The tough one is the Publix complex.  There is only one rack or the fence at Publix itself.  European Street Cafe has a rack that is heavily used.

Wish some of the merchants in the area would put up some of those neat "bicycle topped" posts like they have on the Northbank Riverwalk.  They don't take up much space.

Agreed, we always make do, however that extra effort from the businesses shows possible customers (bikers) that they are welcome here. Obviously they are regardless but it just gives out a good impression. What I DONT want to see is some cheap tubed bike racks, if they are gonna do it, get creative, incorporate it into the design of the building. Anyone can throw up a cheap tubed bike rack. I am also a fan of the "bicycle topped" posts, however unless you're stacking friends bikes on top of friends bikes it can only hold so many without getting in others way. But as stated I'd rather see those than the cheap tubed racks.

[Captain Zissou]

^ Do you have any examples of creative bike racks?