Having attended the great One Spark over the weekend and parked near the Prime Osborn, I was curious if it expansion of the Prime Osborn has been discussed to make it more suitable for larger meetings, and as the answer to the city's convention needs. I would think the JRTC could also be incorporated into the plan, with Amtrak returning there. The Skyway makes the central downtown with it's hotels and restaurants etc very accessible, the Riverside Avenue development is nearby, and there are certainly many parcels of vacant land in that area ready for development. It would seem if the same One Spark-like creativity was shown developing that area, with the Jacksonville Terminal, a wonderful gem of a building, as it's centerpiece, it would be a magnificent addition to downtown Jacksonville.
The problem is that area is isolated from the rest of downtown with no lodging or dining. Previous studies have looked at either expanding the Prime Osborn or building a new convention center closer to the downtown core. I personally favor the old courthouse site.
I guess that is my point. With the development in the area, perhaps it would be time to rethink it and make it into a vibrant area also...just a thought.
Until there's a market in downtown to build a similar sized hotel like the Hyatt and all the dining/entertainment at the Landing and the Elbow around the Prime Osborn, expansion at the Prime Osborn makes little sense. It would be much easier to build and tie together in an environment where all the complementing uses are already in place.
Has there been any recent developments to bring Amtrak back to the Prime Osborn in light of the ongoing Greyhound discussion?
Not that I'm aware of.
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 15, 2014, 08:36:23 AM
The problem is that area is isolated from the rest of downtown with no lodging or dining. Previous studies have looked at either expanding the Prime Osborn or building a new convention center closer to the downtown core. I personally favor the old courthouse site.
I concur - The old courthouse site would be perfect ;)
The Prime Osborn is just a building sitting out there surrounded by nothing. Skyway is attached but it might as well be the end of the line, literally. La Villa, the neighborhood where the Prime sits in, is connected to Brooklyn that is developing nicely. IF and when Park Street in Brooklyn starts with infill, there might be more interest in doing something to tie the Prime into what is happening in Brooklyn. Then again, the 220 Riverside took 10 years to develop, so the JRTC taking as long as it has is par for the course in that area.
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 15, 2014, 08:36:23 AM
The problem is that area is isolated from the rest of downtown with no lodging or dining. Previous studies have looked at either expanding the Prime Osborn or building a new convention center closer to the downtown core. I personally favor the old courthouse site.
Agreed, and to the original posters thoughts of improving one spark, a new convention center on the old courthouse site could definitely be a major improvement for the festivities.
Quote from: floridaal on April 14, 2014, 08:17:01 PM
Having attended the great One Spark over the weekend and parked near the Prime Osborn, I was curious if it expansion of the Prime Osborn has been discussed to make it more suitable for larger meetings, and as the answer to the city's convention needs. I would think the JRTC could also be incorporated into the plan, with Amtrak returning there. The Skyway makes the central downtown with it's hotels and restaurants etc very accessible, the Riverside Avenue development is nearby, and there are certainly many parcels of vacant land in that area ready for development. It would seem if the same One Spark-like creativity was shown developing that area, with the Jacksonville Terminal, a wonderful gem of a building, as it's centerpiece, it would be a magnificent addition to downtown Jacksonville.
I'll be first to agree with your viewpoint. Lake, and a few others, we met briefly discussing a possible transit advocacy group; had some personal emergencies but now putting attention back to it.