https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/vystar-continued-to-grow-during-pandemic-looking-at-downtown-expansion
I don't totally get it; yes, there are numerous projects on the board, proposed, planned, and approved (I would guess), but I had to travel to Jax twice in the past week, and checked out downtown, and at present there is no signs of anything (of course if these are proposed or just "in planning), but what bothered me the most, was that empty park where the Landing once sat, and the northwest corner of downtown where the Ambassador, old Independent Life Building, Federal Reserve Building are; that area at present is stagnant, still, and an eye sore actually. Also, western downtown lending into LaVilla needs a shot in the arm as well. I drove through 5 points, Murray Hill, Westside, Springfield (some areas are still blighted), Southbank, Riverside, and San Marco and was pleased. Next visit I will hit Arlington, Southside, Northside, Eastside, Oceanway area, and Northwest Jax to see what's going on there. Jax is yawning, but still needs to wake completely up.
Isn't there a rumor going around that VyStar is planning to build a 45 story tower, and a smaller twin at 30 stories, along with a slender 15 story residential tower on the old Landing site? Psyche! Just playing. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....LOLOL.
QuoteVyStar increased the ground-floor retail space in the garage design to 19,516 square feet after it took over the project in September 2019 from Laura Street Trio developer SouthEast Development Group LLC.
Five to six tenants are interested in the garage retail space fronting Laura and Main streets, Wolfburg said.
Coffee vendors, breweries and a dog day care have contacted VyStar but no contracts have been signed, he said.
Would be a great spot for a Walgreens or CVS, IMO.
Sounds like they might try and divide it up for a bunch of smaller outlets though.
Quote from: landfall on March 18, 2021, 07:24:18 PM
QuoteVyStar increased the ground-floor retail space in the garage design to 19,516 square feet after it took over the project in September 2019 from Laura Street Trio developer SouthEast Development Group LLC.
Five to six tenants are interested in the garage retail space fronting Laura and Main streets, Wolfburg said.
Coffee vendors, breweries and a dog day care have contacted VyStar but no contracts have been signed, he said.
Would be a great spot for a Walgreens or CVS, IMO.
Sounds like they might try and divide it up for a bunch of smaller outlets though.
Above all else, they're looking for a quality of life amenity for their employees, so I think it'll be something that falls into that category.
If I recall correctly, isn't that retail space already separated on opposite sides of the parkade? Is there enough continuous space for a Walgreens or CVS?
Probably on the Laura Street Side - I think they could fit a Walgreen's in there as 2/3 of the space is at the corner of Laura and Forsyth
Now, every move VyStar has made when it comes to retail space has been around enhancing activity downtown, such as the recently announced rooftop restaurant or the Bread and Board Bodega. The Walgreen's may not fit their ideal.
Although....if you think about a Grocery Store, a Walgreen's is probably the closest thing the downtown core could realistically support right now.
CVS or Walgreens would be a great amenity for DT at that location, but the only way it would happen is with free rent, IMO, and that still might not be sufficient reason. The clerks would be lonelier than the Maytag repairman on weekends and evenings.
The Laura Trio will have a grocery bodega on the bottom floor of the Bisbee Building across the street. That spaced has been leased to a retired Winn-Dixie executive. From an AADT perspective, the space at Main and Forsyth would be better for a CVS or Walgreens. It would have visibility to people driving through downtown but specifically visiting, working or living in downtown.
Quote from: heights unknown on March 18, 2021, 02:14:32 PM
Isn't there a rumor going around that VyStar is planning to build a 45 story tower, and a smaller twin at 30 stories, along with a slender 15 story residential tower on the old Landing site? Psyche! Just playing. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....LOLOL.
Yeah LOL is right. That would be a bit much for the downtown wrecking ball crew to handle, especially all at once. Too much construction, instead of destruction.