Sorry if this has been already discussed, but have there been any new developments at the old Haydon Burns? I know this project should take a little while, but when I last went to the Burrito Gallery (about 2 weeks ago) it didn't look like any work was being done. Anyone have any info?
Quote from: stephendare on June 16, 2008, 11:12:54 AM
There is a demolition process going on that will not be visible from the street for a while.
It is going a whole lot slower than expected, I suspect because of the general slowdown in the economy and the perceived wretchedness in the leasing market.
I will make a call to one of the owners after lunch Duvalbill and find out firsthand.
A gentleman and a scholar. Thank you sir.
Its good to know that they are still moving forward.
Quote from: stephendare on June 17, 2008, 11:47:14 AM
I just spoke with Mark Rinaman, one of the owners, and as stated above they have done mostly nonstructural demolition inside the building.
They are in the second generation of their plan approval process--meaning that they have submitted the plans, gotten a bunch of comments back and are working with the changes.
Mark said that they are pretty close now, and gave a probably timetable of 30-45 days before work that is visible to the public begins happening.
Hope that gives a little info.
Stephen
Thanks for the info. I'm assuming they're still planning to add a restaurant a bar and some retail, correct? I think if this building is done right, there will be some major connectivity with the other entertainment areas of downtown Jacksonville.
Does that mean Skyway Stations going east on Bay Street!!!!?????? :-\ :'( ??? :o ;)
Signs on the building indicate that the Cesery Companies are handling the commercial leasing. They are the ones who are also constructing the apartments on Main in Springfield.
Yes. Cesery is a partner in the Haydon Burns project. Both are supposed to have a City Market store from what I understand.
Great news about the old library; anything else going up or around that area that will also act as a fuse or catalyst to bring more people, retailers, restaurants, etc. to the area?
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The health of businesses in that area has not been good lately. I don't know how Burrito Gallery is doing but Nicky G's is closed and London Bridge is rumored to be cutting out lunch and not opening until 4pm starting July 1.
Wow, Nicky G's didnt last long....
Quote from: DetroitInJAX on June 18, 2008, 11:57:01 PM
Wow, Nicky G's didnt last long....
Not a complete surprise.
The food at Nicky G's wasn't bad at all. The service sucked though.
Tried it 3 times and by the 3rd time of just awful service I was done with the place.
Terrible Service... Terrible Food....
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on June 17, 2008, 09:03:59 PM
The health of businesses in that area has not been good lately. I don't know how Burrito Gallery is doing but Nicky G's is closed and London Bridge is rumored to be cutting out lunch and not opening until 4pm starting July 1.
I believe Burrito Gallery is still rocking....
The BG and London Bridge usually have huge crowds outside them on weekend nights... Every time I go to the BG to pick up dinner they have a lively crowd over in the bar... Same goes for London Bridge, the usual contingent of 11 Easters is there.
At least we know one downtown business is doing well... De Real Ting on Adams/Hogan.... Talk about noise ordinance violations.. sheesh... try sleeping with that place a block away from your bedroom window.
Quote from: DetroitInJAX on June 19, 2008, 01:58:03 PM
At least we know one downtown business is doing well... De Real Ting on Adams/Hogan.... Talk about noise ordinance violations.. sheesh... try sleeping with that place a block away from your bedroom window.
Absolutely call JSO's non-emergency number (630-0500) and report any disturbance or crime, however slight, you are aware of. JSO allocates resources based on call location and volume. The more calls they receive about a certain area, the more attention it will get.
Zero tolerance on Laura St over the last few years has improved conditions there. Don't let anything go. Call JSO if the boom boom cars are disturbing you. There are state and local laws in place to protect the serenity of downtown.
Jerry,
I did this once and the JSO officer on the other end gave me nothing but snarky comments... I asked him if he'd like to have to deal with this kind of noise in his Westside neighborhood. (Needless to say he didnt like that comment).
I also wrote my local city council person (whoever that may be) and got a response from an aide.. The problem was fixed for about two weeks and then it was back to business as usual. My bedroom window from the Carling faces this place and getting woken up at 3am when you have work at 7am is NOT fun.
Do we have any board members who are residents of the W.A. Knight Lofts on Adams? What are your thoughts on this?
Dispatch is staffed by civillian employees of the JSO. When I've called, the great majority of them have had a professional demeanor, and seemed well trained. As in any service business, there's always the possibility of an unsatisfactory experience. If you ever have a question about the service you receive from JSO Dispatch, ask for a supervisor, or call Major Elliott, who is the department head at 630-7982. If ever a dispatch officer gets testy with you, immediately ask to speak with a supervisor.
Any concern you may have with the condition of Downtown can be addressed to Scott Wilson, who is Councilman Don Redman's assistant (District 4). Scott is very capable, and can be reached at 630-7372. Scott responds to every call, but due to his workload, it may take some time depending on the issue.
I spoke yesterday afternoon with Lt. Elizabeth Kenny, who is second in command for this area, about the weekend noise and disorder. She advised that the JSO will revisit the issue.
About the W.A. Knight Building: I regularly emailed owner Mike Langton about various Adams St. quality of life issues. No response. If that were my building, I would have flood lights on the roof pointed towards Hogan St. I honestly don't know how he keeps tenants.
Let's see what happens tonight (Friday) now that the JSO has been tipped off.
We should see JSO monitored surveillance cameras coming on line shortly. I believe their deployment will mark a turning point in were we're headed downtown.
Quote from: DetroitInJAX on June 19, 2008, 01:58:03 PM
The BG and London Bridge usually have huge crowds outside them on weekend nights... Every time I go to the BG to pick up dinner they have a lively crowd over in the bar... Same goes for London Bridge, the usual contingent of 11 Easters is there.
At least we know one downtown business is doing well... De Real Ting on Adams/Hogan.... Talk about noise ordinance violations.. sheesh... try sleeping with that place a block away from your bedroom window.
It is kind of sad but London Bridge has lost many of the Happy hour regulars...
.....And we talk about this today just as I discover that my brand new bicycle was stolen from the Carling parking garage... Someone cut the lock off.... ahhhh Im SO glad I live downtown.
Anybody selling a mountain bike?
Oh and Jerry, thanks for the info. I dont know if you remember me but I introduced myself back when I lived at 11 E. Im the guy that is daring and rides his bike around downtown after dark.
Hey everybody. I am working for Cesery Companies and have been engaged in putting together marketing material for The Library. The group has been focused on the engineering, financing, permitting and architecture. We are actively negotiating leases and are looking for more tenants, while putting together several kinds of informational marketing packages.
I have available some tight and some raw material that can be emailed to anyone interested in the project. I will have a video playing in the Auditorium next Wednesday night during Art Walk that does a good job of laying out the project so it is easier to understand. This video will be uploaded to the website (hopefully this weekend).
www.TheLibraryJax.com (http://www.thelibraryjax.com)
I am in need of more information from folks like yourselves to help finish my narrative on the video. There are many factors that will make this project a homerun. Fuel costs are driving 2 significant demographics to downtown living and there is another consumer that will stay downtown for drinks/shopping/personal services and dinner before heading home for the evening.
Another big part of our job is to better educate the community over the river on exactly how to get around downtown. Yes, there is information on the web, but, it seems to be in several pieces. I need to tell a short story on driving/parking/trolley-walk/going to the venue/and making it safely home. The one way streets and lack of clear signage for public parking/transportation is an issue that we want to overcome. I have to spell out VERY clearly the successful businesses and public parking/transportation to wrap up my pitch. Anyone that wants info, or would like to share transportation/parking strategies for the "club/dinner crowd" go to the website or email me directly. Any information about new or old business successes and any updates to the local downtown residential market would be welcomed.
I hope to meet some of you Wednesday - I'll be hanging out around the auditorium.
Quote from: DetroitInJAX on June 20, 2008, 01:49:24 PM
.....And we talk about this today just as I discover that my brand new bicycle was stolen from the Carling parking garage... Someone cut the lock off.... ahhhh Im SO glad I live downtown.
Anybody selling a mountain bike?
Oh and Jerry, thanks for the info. I dont know if you remember me but I introduced myself back when I lived at 11 E. Im the guy that is daring and rides his bike around downtown after dark.
Sorry about that D. rrr. OK. Austin has a huge biking community and as such, the city has put in the great bike locks all over town. You place your frame at the peddle into these locks that are anchored into the sidewalk. We also have those old horse ties on some corners too that you can lock your bike to. The frame lock/crank lock locks are the best bet. Somebody should get the city to install those things all over town.