Quoteby Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor
City Office of Economic Development Executive Director Ted Carter said Monday he wants Jacksonville to compete for two major Seattle corporate names: Amazon.com Inc. and Starbucks Corp.
He wants to join the running for an Amazon fulfillment center in Duval County and to bring a Starbucks back Downtown.
full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=540124
Totally don't agree with that strategy. Why not just make it easier for small businesses to open downtown (and that would include sitting down with landlords in order to come up with some creative leasing strategies)?
I assume his strategy is Jax in general. It will be interesting to see how the OED and DIA work together on downtown initiatives and strategies. In the case of Starbucks, they already know Jacksonville and downtown. They kicked us to the curb.....twice. However, like Panera Bread in San Marco, with or without the OED, they'll be back (probably at the Fuqua thing in Brooklyn) when they determine there's a strong enough market for their product (already proven) and a decent deal to operate a space.
This whole article was stupid to me. First thing I notice is we expressed zero interest in bringing jobs here, but say IF theres a second round we will put in a bid. Then talk about Starbuck. Cant really believe bringing Starbucks back downtown is such a top priority for the city. ::)
Amazon is likely going to build 3 fulfillment centers in FL....it seems like at least one (maybe two) are destined for the Tampa Bay-Orlando area...btw, from what I have heard, that announcement is expected in the next few days
Assuming those can serve central and south Florida, then one in north Florida to also serve south Georgia makes a lot of sense.....but if they also plan to build one in south Florida, then I think we missed the boat/train/truck
Bold Bean wanted to initially open downtown.
The fact that they instead opened in Riverside goes to show you how backwards our priorities are when we view downtown policies towards small businesses.
Let's make it easy for small businesses like Bold Bean to move in. When there are people right now being ignored that want to make downtown a more vibrant neighborhood, perhaps we should worry less about Starbucks and remove the plank from our own eyes?
^^I don't understand why this continues to be a problem. I am sure the members of the DIA have to realize this is an issue and I agree they should be trying to fix that problem.
So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?
Quote from: fieldafm on July 30, 2013, 01:29:59 PM
Bold Bean wanted to initially open downtown.
The fact that they instead opened in Riverside goes to show you how backwards our priorities are when we view downtown policies towards small businesses.
Let's make it easy for small businesses like Bold Bean to move in. When there are people right now being ignored that want to make downtown a more vibrant neighborhood, perhaps we should worry less about Starbucks and remove the plank from our own eyes?
My thoughts exactly. And thank god Bold Bean didn't open downtown. I dont think they would have made it personally simply because its such a weird, toxic market down there thats mismanaged all to hell.
And this article was stupid & shows the disconnect these people have in their line of thinking. Wanting a Starbucks DT just because they see it as some kind of accomplishment & because their 'burb has one is completely irrelevant to anything, esp at this point with the shape of things down there. Pretty sure there's bigger fish to fry, like, getting out of organic growth's way & letting anyone willing to try shape the city to whatever the residents of the city want it to be, instead of trying to force it.
Seriously, who cares if there's no Starbucks if you've got several good local shops taking its place? Starbucks can come later after these things pan out & the corporate circus moves back to down. Till then, leave it to the locals.
Quote from: Ron Mexico on July 30, 2013, 01:46:45 PM
So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?
I want Amazon to open here ASAP! Amazon would be very Stupid not to open here in Jacksonville Florida. We have a Great Port in which could supply Amazon with anything it sells and we have two major highways to ship items out of Interstate 10 & 95.
Carter is a very sharp guy. I think his thinking behind Starbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT.
Quote from: Ron Mexico on July 30, 2013, 01:46:45 PM
So, does anyone want Starbucks or Amazon to open anything here then?
Yes.
But it's ridiculous to seek those companies out while literally stepping over hundreds of other businesses in the process.
If I remember anything from Catholic School other than which girls wore the shortest plaid skirts, it's Matthew 7:5:
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
One of the few biblical versus that always stuck in my head, and it really could not be more apt in this situation.
QuoteStarbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT.
From someone that has spent almost 12 years in finance and has traveled all around the country... BFD. You can't skip steps in the the cycling of a neighborhood. We've been trying that here for three decades by subsidizing this:
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1360076259_nnJL9XK-600x10000.jpg)
Quote from: fieldafm on July 30, 2013, 02:40:09 PM
QuoteStarbucks is that it's an "A" credit tenant committing to DT.
From someone that has spent almost 12 years in finance and has traveled all around the country... BFD. You can't skip steps in the the cycling of a neighborhood. We've been trying that here for three decades by subsidizing this:
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1360076259_nnJL9XK-600x10000.jpg)
I wouldn't disagree with the sentiment/reasoning behind most people on this thread, build organically/locally first.
So heres a question...why is Ted Carter doing anything pertaining to downtown development? Its not his job!
Is he taking over the job of the Downtown Development Authority?
Sure seems like it
It's been confirmed that Amazon is opening a center just outside Tampa:
QuoteAmazon land deal in Ruskin is signed
A company that works with Amazon on developing distribution centers closed on the acquisition of land in Ruskin Wednesday, confirmed Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham.
USAA Real Estate Co., which works with Amazon in developing its distribution centers, bought the land, and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) signed a long-term lease, Higginbotham said. Construction will begin immediately. The project calls for a $200 million capital investment, with 1,000 permanent jobs and as many as 1,000 additional jobs during peak season.
full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2013/10/10/sources-amazon-land-deal-in-ruskin-is.html
0-1, so far.
and another one bites the dust ! Too bad ! We have the port, the rail and I-10 and I-95...What is lacking that we lost this ?
There should be a group of people working at City Hall and it is their job to find a way to bring business to Jacksonville..Tuscaloosa ,Alabama has a Mercedes Plant, Mobile Alabama got Airbus....what the hell is going on here or better yet NOT going on here?
In the case of auto plants a lot of it has to do with State incentives to locate those plants there.
Quote from: Stephen on October 10, 2013, 01:20:35 PM
There should be a group of people working at City Hall and it is their job to find a way to bring business to Jacksonville..Tuscaloosa ,Alabama has a Mercedes Plant, Mobile Alabama got Airbus....what the hell is going on here or better yet NOT going on here?
http://www.myjaxchamber.com/
We got 7 elevens!
The cheapest way to incentivize small business downtown would be to relax/eliminate zoning, signage and design review regulations.
Hmm, I guess we're out of the running. The second Amazon warehouse location has just been announced. The winner is "thelakelander's" Lakeland, which is basically right down the street from the other one in Ruskin.
QuoteAmazon Warehouse Is Coming to Lakeland
LAKELAND | It's official: Amazon will open warehouses in Lakeland and in Hillsborough County, the Internet retailer confirmed Tuesday after months of speculation.
The announcement of the Lakeland facility ends a year-and-a half-long process by city and Polk County economic development officials to land the 1 million square-foot warehouse, officials said Tuesday after months of silence.
QuoteMany have wondered whether Amazon would open two warehouses so close to each other, but the company said the two warehouses will handle different types of merchandise.
The Lakeland warehouse will focus on large items like kayaks and televisions. The Hillsborough County warehouse will focus on smaller items like books and consumer goods.
full article: http://www.theledger.com/article/20131022/NEWS/131029810?tc=cr
I think that Amazon had said they wanted up to 3 centers....so I guess there's still a chance.
That said, if the intent is delivery in Florida, being in the center of teh state makes sense.....Jax works if you don't alreday have good coverage for south Georgia and lower Alabama