I saw this PBS special about Farmer's Markets around the country. Got me thinking about the Prime Osborne Convention Center. If the city does move the convention center to a new location and Amtrak uses the old Jacksonville Terminal. The exhibit space would make a great location for a large scale Farmer's Market similar to the West Side Market in Cleveland or Pike Place Market in Seattle.
http://www.westsidemarket.org/tour.html
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
Having it indoors and in a larger space would allow all types of vendors that sell - fresh seafood, meats, cheeses, produce, baked goods and pastries, pasta, nuts, etc. You could have a food court and/or a couple restaurants in the building (I'm sure using all the fresh ingredients from the Market). I'm thinking something twice the scale of the Beaver Street Farmer's Market with mostly fixed booths with electric/lighting/etc - utilizing the entire ballroom. You could have an area just for non-regular vendors. You already have loading area; parking and/or transit at the site.
It could be a popular DOWNTOWN destination point. You could have chef demos and other special events.
People nearby could take the Skyway or a trolley at lunch to go eat at one of the restaurants or get some fresh foods for dinner that night before grabbing their commuter rail train home. It could easily be a 7 day/week destination.
Assuming that JTA building their regional transit center across the street with Greyhound, Amtrak and the bus terminal - you would already have commuters in the area. Now you have a reason for people to use the Skyway and a great place for them to go. Visitors at the downtown hotels would go either by trolley or Skyway. Downtown workers would go to have lunch or grab something for later.
Upstairs - you could turn into a small conference center. Imagine having a meeting and then going down to the market for some food right after.
Just thinking out loud.
I think it is a good idea I just worry about it sitting between the Beaver Street Farmers Market and The Riverside Arts Market. The area may not be able to support all three.
I saw that show, too. It was great. Love the idea of using the Prime Osborne for that purpose.
Interesting idea. Like, using the space for multiple museums (ex. Kansas City Union Station), it has merit although one would have to question the impact on the historic Beaver Street market. However, my preference would be the development of a compact intermodal center instead of one spread out to Adams Street. It's going to be an expensive way to discover that the choice rider won't be willing to walk several blocks in the Florida sun to transfer between modes.
@Lake we could extend the tunnels from the rail tracks that go to where the Amtrak office will be under the street to the Skyway and bus terminals. We need to do the extension before any other construction on those sites.
Is there room on the roof for a rooftop garden too and maybe soem hives? (I can't remember if it has any flat areas or not)
Quote from: JeffreyS on June 20, 2011, 01:21:00 PM
@Lake we could extend the tunnels from the rail tracks that go to where the Amtrak office will be under the street to the Skyway and bus terminals. We need to do the extension before any other construction on those sites.
It would be cheaper and more efficient to move everything north of Forsyth, south of it.
Quote from: JeffreyS on June 20, 2011, 12:57:14 PM
I think it is a good idea I just worry about it sitting between the Beaver Street Farmers Market and The Riverside Arts Market. The area may not be able to support all three.
Well my thought was that this would replaced the Beaver St Market on a more grandiose scale. RAM is only one day/week and is mainly aimed at the crafts world (although it does have some produce vendors). So I see it as a comliment rather than competition. A Saturday outing for the family could include both.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 20, 2011, 01:13:01 PM
Interesting idea. Like, using the space for multiple museums (ex. Kansas City Union Station), it has merit although one would have to question the impact on the historic Beaver Street market. However, my preference would be the development of a compact intermodal center instead of one spread out to Adams Street. It's going to be an expensive way to discover that the choice rider won't be willing to walk several blocks in the Florida sun to transfer between modes.
Lake, any idea why the lot directly to the east of the current Skyway station at Convention center could not house Greyhound? That would move it two blocks closer and directly across the street from the terminal building?
That's really an interesting idea. I was in a cool downtown market in York, PA. Hardly a progressive, innovative city. Yet it was really cool. Like you said, a mix of vendors, restaurants ... Move the convention center to the river downtown and put a farmer's market there.
Quote from: exnewsman on June 20, 2011, 02:45:20 PM
Well my thought was that this would replaced the Beaver St Market on a more grandiose scale. RAM is only one day/week and is mainly aimed at the crafts world (although it does have some produce vendors). So I see it as a comliment rather than competition. A Saturday outing for the family could include both.
i suspect the owners ov the beaver st. market might take issue with that notion.
Quote from: exnewsman on June 20, 2011, 02:48:33 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on June 20, 2011, 01:13:01 PM
Interesting idea. Like, using the space for multiple museums (ex. Kansas City Union Station), it has merit although one would have to question the impact on the historic Beaver Street market. However, my preference would be the development of a compact intermodal center instead of one spread out to Adams Street. It's going to be an expensive way to discover that the choice rider won't be willing to walk several blocks in the Florida sun to transfer between modes.
Lake, any idea why the lot directly to the east of the current Skyway station at Convention center could not house Greyhound? That would move it two blocks closer and directly across the street from the terminal building?
No. Although its a little smaller than the existing station site (assuming Johnson Street remains open) , i'd say its a more ideal location for Greyhound and the entire JRTC in general.
Quote from: KuroiKetsunoHana on June 20, 2011, 03:01:21 PM
Quote from: exnewsman on June 20, 2011, 02:45:20 PM
Well my thought was that this would replaced the Beaver St Market on a more grandiose scale. RAM is only one day/week and is mainly aimed at the crafts world (although it does have some produce vendors). So I see it as a comliment rather than competition. A Saturday outing for the family could include both.
i suspect the owners ov the beaver st. market might take issue with that notion.
They don't make any money off the current market. From my understanding, they operate it from a local "quality-of-life" standpoint. A relocation to the Prime Osborn would give the market visibility and direct access from I-95, the benefit of a mass transit connection with the JRTC and Beaver Street Fisheries room to expand their core business in the future.
Nashville has a indoorish Farmers Market, but there are parts that are outside too. It seems to work well as theya re able to be open almost all year round.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 20, 2011, 03:51:24 PM
Quote from: KuroiKetsunoHana on June 20, 2011, 03:01:21 PM
Quote from: exnewsman on June 20, 2011, 02:45:20 PM
Well my thought was that this would replaced the Beaver St Market on a more grandiose scale. RAM is only one day/week and is mainly aimed at the crafts world (although it does have some produce vendors). So I see it as a comliment rather than competition. A Saturday outing for the family could include both.
i suspect the owners ov the beaver st. market might take issue with that notion.
They don't make any money off the current market. From my understanding, they operate it from a local "quality-of-life" standpoint. A relocation to the Prime Osborn would give the market visibility and direct access from I-95, the benefit of a mass transit connection with the JRTC and Beaver Street Fisheries room to expand their core business in the future.
Sounds like a complete net-positive.
Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington is one of the world's best established indoor/outdoor marketplaces.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/ (http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/)
-Josh