QuoteDawn Emerick is leaving Jacksonville, but her hopes for a party barge remain, at least for a while.
For the past two years, Al and Dawn Emerick have been attempting to bring their barge idea to Jacksonville, anchoring it on the river downtown and hosting a variety of events. It's run into a series of what the Emericks called stumbling blocks, and now a new job has complicated things.
A little more than a year ago, Dawn Emerick was hired as chief executive officer of Groundwork Jacksonville, a nonprofit working to revitalize creeks and create a greenway near downtown. But she's leaving that position early next month to become director of public health in Clackamus County, Ore., in suburban Portland.
Her husband, Al, will remain behind for six to 12 months. Not only does he have his own communication and marketing business here, but he still hopes to get the barge floating.
"I'm still under the impression that there's a path and an opportunity to explore," he said. "If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't be staying.
"The biggest roadblock we've got is a place to put it."
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/2016-05-10/story/couple-holds-out-hope-their-party-barge-idea-will-find-berth#
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Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/2016-05-10/story/couple-holds-out-hope-their-party-barge-idea-will-find-berth#
Reading that article, all I could visualize is Al going to Aundra like...
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/25832f2d406e0caa118619d46530996a/tumblr_mln75uzYdm1qgvofco1_500.gif)
I mean seriously... there are so many "we could do this..." in the article. Did you guys do any leg work at all before hijacking the Southbank Riverwalk ribbon-cutting ceremony? To make such a claim of "what is coming" when you hadn't even cleared the concept with the USCG or had your mooring plan "shored up"...
Besides, I don't even get what the attraction would be. You can only fit a handful of people on a barge. Why not just produce events in the spaces that we already have around Jax, that will actually fit enough people to make an event successful. Dawn's comment of "we can't make any money" was the only thing that made any sense of this whole foolishness!
Why not just get Southside Kia to clear out some parking lot space for events?
Quote from: marty904 on May 11, 2016, 07:42:32 AM
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Full article: http://jacksonville.com/business/2016-05-10/story/couple-holds-out-hope-their-party-barge-idea-will-find-berth#
Reading that article, all I could visualize is Al going to Aundra like...
(http://24.media.tumblr.com/25832f2d406e0caa118619d46530996a/tumblr_mln75uzYdm1qgvofco1_500.gif)
haha - Amen. I think this is a cool idea, but Aundra said very nicely what I've always felt on this project: With the limited money that DIA has, this is likely not the highest and best use for the property. If they're looking to the DIA to clear red tab then so be it. But for actual money.....not sure I'm onboard.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 11, 2016, 07:59:06 AM
Quote from: marty904 on May 11, 2016, 07:42:32 AM
I mean seriously... there are so many "we could do this..." in the article. Did you guys do any leg work at all before hijacking the Southbank Riverwalk ribbon-cutting ceremony? To make such a claim of "what is coming" when you hadn't even cleared the concept with the USCG or had your mooring plan "shored up"...
Par for the course in my experiences with that guy. And fantastic Step Brothers usage.
Also, this quote just has so much humor in it to me: "'We've gone to the DIA and asked for support,' she said. 'But we keep being told "Do this and come back." We had great support from Mayor Brown, but we can't get in front of Mayor Curry. We're not feeling like the city is very serious about this."'
1. That is a fairly strong endorsement for Curry and 2. Hmmmm, I wonder why the city wouldn't be serious about an idea that was presented with pretty much zero due diligence and focused more on an internet-fad-centric grand opening party than actual thought and serious planning. Having a bacon-themed party (and, seriously, 2009 much?) is definitely more important than examining whether local regulations and leases will actually allow you to operate.
(http://funlexia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/King-of-the-internet.jpg)
MMR, I think you have mastered internets.
Criticizing a bacon themed party as out of fashion is brilliant and, I think, the most relevant of the criticisms.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 11, 2016, 10:06:44 AM
Not sure if you are giving me a genuine compliment or not, but if someone is, in the year 2016, holding a "bacon" themed anything, I question his or her marketing-savvy.
Bacon is like the Chuck Norris of foods.
Seems like a good idea to give people who won't even be living here public dollars to pull off a self serving project.....
Shout out to Aundra Wallace for calling out their BS.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 11, 2016, 10:06:44 AM
Not sure if you are giving me a genuine compliment or not, but if someone is, in the year 2016, holding a "bacon" themed anything, I question his or her marketing-savvy.
Genuine.
"The biggest roadblock we've got is a place to put it."
Number one, that's a hell of a roadblock. And number two, that isn't even the biggest roadblock. The biggest roadblock: it's a stupid idea with essentially nonexistent planning.
^Meh. I agree about the location being a big roadblock, but I actually don't think it's a terrible idea. I could see it being a cool event space for certain types of events.
I think the Emericks have a good idea, just not one that I'd throw public money at. If they can fund this privately, then so be it.
I can't imagine anything like this being feasible with private money. A wild night at Wacko's would be a more worthwhile investment. Either way, you're going home broke. Might as well have some fun on your way to bankruptcy.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 11, 2016, 03:50:14 PM
I can't imagine anything like this being feasible with private money. A wild night at Wacko's would be a more worthwhile investment. Either way, you're going home broke. Might as well have some fun on your way to bankruptcy.
I question it as well, given the event space market rate in Jacksonville - it just isn't very expensive. My guess is this: If the Emericks came to the DIA with a full plan, fully funded, and just wanted the DIA's help with the red tape, then I'd like to see them help. It doesn't sound like that happened here.
Has this model worked in other cities of our size?
I've seen party barges in West Palm during Sunfest. I wonder if they did any research into the companies that provide those.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 11, 2016, 07:59:06 AM
Quote from: marty904 on May 11, 2016, 07:42:32 AM
I mean seriously... there are so many "we could do this..." in the article. Did you guys do any leg work at all before hijacking the Southbank Riverwalk ribbon-cutting ceremony? To make such a claim of "what is coming" when you hadn't even cleared the concept with the USCG or had your mooring plan "shored up"...
Par for the course in my experiences with that guy. And fantastic Step Brothers usage.
Also, this quote just has so much humor in it to me: "'We've gone to the DIA and asked for support,' she said. 'But we keep being told "Do this and come back." We had great support from Mayor Brown, but we can't get in front of Mayor Curry. We're not feeling like the city is very serious about this."'
1. That is a fairly strong endorsement for Curry and 2. Hmmmm, I wonder why the city wouldn't be serious about an idea that was presented with pretty much zero due diligence and focused more on an internet-fad-centric grand opening party than actual thought and serious planning. Having a bacon-themed party (and, seriously, 2009 much?) is definitely more important than examining whether local regulations and leases will actually allow you to operate.
Thanks MMR! I truly had that visual when I read the article lol...
Yeah, the way they are reacting to the "less than serious" attitude of the DIA - it's clear that they're a bit delusional of their concept's merit/value. And hear ye, on the bacon tip... As soon as I heard "Bacon & Bourbon" come out of his mouth, the first thing I said was... "Seriously?
THAT is their flagship event for this grand party barge?"
QuoteCouple holds out hope their party barge idea will find a berth
This story reminds me of that one time on MJ, everyone jumped in and said we needed light rail in the River City....
Apparently there were a significant details left out of the TU article.
The Barge's social media fills in the gaps. Take a gander.
Go buy your own riverfront property, get your permits and do it yourself. If its a great idea, you will do great.
Here's their post (unedited):
1. Activation: There is and has been ongoing discussion about "activating the river." The Barge is the ONLY immediately actionable economic development project that actually activates the RIVER. It additionally provides the least amount of financial, operational and governmental lift.
We have had access to city leadership and are deeply grateful, but have not found that "Champion" who wants to own this project and help push it through. That is what is required for projects like this to come to life.
2. Financing: We've always planned on funding The Barge privately and have so far. We've NEVER requested a loan from the city; our discussions with DIA were just part of a larger discussion around private/public funding options in which we explored different approaches in the range discussed in the article. We have a small group of individual private investors who have committed to the project.
3. The Southbank and the Pending Report: (A) The Barge was removed from the final report for the redevelopment of the Southbank even though we were interviewed and it was suggested that this was important to include as an idea which could add great value to the Southbank. It was what lit the initial fire and remains an amazing idea that would provide incredible benefit to the Southbank. Not sure why we were excluded.
(B) River City Brewery Company protested our Southbank/ Friendship Park location despite our attempts to develop strategic partnerships with them and include them in the opportunity.
(C) "What about parking" was a question asked over and over. We quickly identified a solution through LAZ parking which we could have pursued if the Southbank were a more viable option.
4. Economic Impact reported in story: The economic impact projections are based on data supplied by 2015 Visit Jacksonville hospitality/special event reporting data, economic impact formulas, and rental requests for The Barge from March 2015 through April 2016. This information was vetted by Visit Jacksonville
5. Location, location, location: We attempted to have the Barge activated for this years Jazz Fest-- but couldn't find a location downtown to place it safely and legally. There are so many infrastructure issues, a Barge can't moor up. Also, as Roger points out in the article, the current state Submerged Land regulations are crippling to our efforts as well as other economic development. We are down to negotiating with private entities of which there are precious few.
Bottom line, The Barge is a LOW RISK, BIG WIN POTENTIAL project for the city. If it doesn't work, we pull up and leave, no old crusty buildings, no broken infrastructure or eye sore left behind to remind us of what could have been. We would never leave any blight behind if it doesn't work. Check out the article here:
My thoughts:
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
1. Activation: There is and has been ongoing discussion about "activating the river." The Barge is the ONLY immediately actionable economic development project that actually activates the RIVER. It additionally provides the least amount of financial, operational and governmental lift.
We have had access to city leadership and are deeply grateful, but have not found that "Champion" who wants to own this project and help push it through. That is what is required for projects like this to come to life.
A little subjective. Though the cost of the USS Adams costs more, if people would hand them the cash then I think that would activate it quite a bit.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
2. Financing: We've always planned on funding The Barge privately and have so far. We've NEVER requested a loan from the city; our discussions with DIA were just part of a larger discussion around private/public funding options in which we explored different approaches in the range discussed in the article. We have a small group of individual private investors who have committed to the project.
According to the article, it was a GRANT, not a LOAN. Plus, if there was no formal request, they can say they never requested either.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
3. The Southbank and the Pending Report: (A) The Barge was removed from the final report for the redevelopment of the Southbank even though we were interviewed and it was suggested that this was important to include as an idea which could add great value to the Southbank. It was what lit the initial fire and remains an amazing idea that would provide incredible benefit to the Southbank. Not sure why we were excluded.
Them not being on a plan doesn't seem like a big barrier. Plans in this city are subjective, and a living document. Heck, Peyton paid Pappas like $700k to figure out why submerged wood (old riverwalk) was rotting. This is sour grapes IMO.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
(B) River City Brewery Company protested our Southbank/ Friendship Park location despite our attempts to develop strategic partnerships with them and include them in the opportunity.
If this is true, this is disappointing. I think the RCBC Parking lot thing is ridiculous and beyond oversized.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
(C) "What about parking" was a question asked over and over. We quickly identified a solution through LAZ parking which we could have pursued if the Southbank were a more viable option.
I"m not going to stress about parking. If parking was the only issue here, somehow I think they'd figure it out.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
4. Economic Impact reported in story: The economic impact projections are based on data supplied by 2015 Visit Jacksonville hospitality/special event reporting data, economic impact formulas, and rental requests for The Barge from March 2015 through April 2016. This information was vetted by Visit Jacksonville
Naming sources doesn't mean that hypothesis' made in the study are accurate.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
5. Location, location, location: We attempted to have the Barge activated for this years Jazz Fest-- but couldn't find a location downtown to place it safely and legally. There are so many infrastructure issues, a Barge can't moor up. Also, as Roger points out in the article, the current state Submerged Land regulations are crippling to our efforts as well as other economic development. We are down to negotiating with private entities of which there are precious few.
This I'd agree with The Barge people on. I don't think this concept is a bad idea. I do think that the city/DIA should help with the red tape. Now, perhaps the reason that they didn't want to expend energy was because funding is shaky.
Quote from: Steve on May 12, 2016, 09:11:02 AM
Bottom line, The Barge is a LOW RISK, BIG WIN POTENTIAL project for the city. If it doesn't work, we pull up and leave, no old crusty buildings, no broken infrastructure or eye sore left behind to remind us of what could have been. We would never leave any blight behind if it doesn't work. Check out the article here:
I'd 100% agree with this.....if it was 100% privately funded. Unless Aundra Wallace is outright lying or the T-U horribly misquoted Wallace, the funding isn't completely lined up.
Quote from: spuwho on May 12, 2016, 08:06:21 AM
Go buy your own riverfront property, get your permits and do it yourself. If its a great idea, you will do great.
I'm with you on that.
Why should the public finance something like this?
Besides, this seems to be just another 'destination' idea that will fall flat once the novelty has worn off. I don't know a whole lot about barges, but I would assume the work well in areas with vibrant waterfronts that are in need of extra space to accommodate people. I don't see how a barge would be much of a sell on a riverfront that is basically dead.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 12, 2016, 09:52:30 AM
It seems like they think dropping the "activate/activation" buzzword again and again impresses people or makes them seem really savvy. It's an empty and meaningless buzzword.
Buzzwords are their bread and butter.
Bumping this, because responding about the U2C reminded me of this (right or wrong).
As far as I know this couple has left town, so the party barge idea is dead.