https://dtjax.com/2024-state-of-downtown-report/
Wasn't sure if anyone had posted a topic about this yet.
We fall very short in comparison to other Florida cities; this news isn't new news.
Quote26% of downtown Jacksonville office space was vacant in 2023, far more than other big Florida cities
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/12/09/26-of-downtown-jacksonville-office-space-was-vacant-in-2023-far-more-than-other-big-florida-cities/
There is some good discussion of Downtown Jacksonville's office woes in this thread:
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,38017.0.html
Also, while Jacksonville's leaders continue to make excuses for it's soft downtown office market 26% vacancy with EXTREMELY low leasing rates, other cities in Florida continue to build office. Who knows if this bubble will burst, but they are doing the exact opposite of Jax. Yes, Jax is a totally different market than South Florida, but if Jax was as hot as DVI proclaims, there would at least be some momentum to backfill it's existing office market.
Here is Ken Griffin (Citadel's) new 54-story, 1,026 foot tall office in Miami that will start construction in 2025 with 1.7 million square feet.
(https://costar.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d9abeb0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1320x1920+0+0/resize/1320x1920!/quality/100/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcostar-brightspot.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2F78%2Fe4%2F423a4ce144e69f3670d045e2490b%2Feps6old.jpeg)
830 Brickell-650k square feet of office in a 57 story, 725 tall building. Finished in 2023
(https://830-brickell.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/media-building-1.jpg)
Then in Downtown West Palm Beach, Stephen Ross is going nuts. He sold his shares of Related and spun off Related Ross with his Florida projects. He's bringing in major financial players and I think has some stuff in the works with Silicon Valley too.
One Flagler is just finishing up and is already full leased up....at $100-$140 a square foot. 25 stories and 270k square feet.
(https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5ff0887552334531c55ca6a8/613e17b6f40b1cfa51f0912d_One%20Flagler.PNG)
360 Rosemary was recently completed and is fully leased up. 20 stories and 300k square feet
(https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/17/NPPP/71217804007-himmel-tour-10.JPG?width=2560)
10 City Place-Under Construction. 480k square feet of office.
(https://www.related.com/sites/default/files/styles/1x1_property_square_w/public/2024-04/acquiadam-assets/related-corporate-properties-square-redleaf_23_tower%20a%20hero_240116%20%281%29.jpg?itok=phF2a3DF)
15 City Place-500k square feet of office
(https://www.relatedross.com/sites/southeast/files/styles/1x1_property_square_w/public/2024-04/acquiadam-assets/related-corporate-properties-square-redleaf_19_east%20tower%20hero_240412.jpg?itok=hQSPT5sf)
There are a few other non Ross office projects in downtown WPB and some smaller office projects in Downtown Miami too. So as I continue saying in other threads, office as a concept is not dead. It just appears to be in Downtown Jax...
New office isn't just exclusive to South Florida. Even St. Pete is joining the party.
Ground was recently broken on The Central, a mixed-use building with 125k square feet of office in St. Pete
(https://s41951.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-Central-view-1-source-is-Ellison-Development-1536x1028.jpg.webp)
400 Central Avenue in St. Pete is mixed use with 40k square feet of office
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55467dc6e4b0ebaf8fab24a0/1620530493583-N17BOX9TMR3FI5S9CH46/2021-03-10_Scene-3-scaled.jpg)
Halcyon is preleasing 130k square feet in a 10 story building
(https://www.halcyonworkspace.com/uploads/1/5/0/5/150528517/published/03-central-avenue-looking-west-05-signage-02-financial-large.jpg?1726224075)
DVI inflating our pipeline figures is a great example of the echo chamber downtown. Dozens of projects that are either already complete (many should have been well before 2024) or that have zero timeline. Throw in all the publicly funded projects because why not. That all really demonstrates how great DT is doing.
These grossly expensive reports might fool corporate relo's, but there are so many white lies mushed in.
Report should read "Northbank on the verge of total economic collapse, can Gateway be the ones who save it?"
^Both Gateway and UF can end up being Downtown's saviors. Funny enough, I don't believe either could have happened without the lack of recent success from DVI and DIA. It would have been substantially tougher for Gateway to assemble that much land, affordably in a competitive environment. Similarly, the amount of cheap land/buildings and relatively affordable cost of housing/living helped steer UF to Jax.
JaxUSA should be feasting right now with a downtown office vacancy rate of 26% and leasing rates in the high teens and low 20's per square foot.
Skimming the report and it lists Fidelity Investments as a "major downtown employer". There is a decent sized Fidelity call center presence on the Southside, but is there also a presence Downtown? Or does the DVI think Fidelity Investments is part of FIS?
Gateway's assemblage started a long time ago... If anything, the lack of progress on the Northbank helped them assemble even more than they could have if downtown had substantial demand. There's no way they could have assembled what they did, without another player getting involved & ruining the fun. Not to mention, DLP is bankrolling the operation.
JWB & DLP had/has the vision & took the risk while the Northbank has continued to decline... Two local companies with substantial assets. I personally think the city deserves very little credit for what these companies were able to pull off. Just my 2 cents.
Quote from: Jax_Developer on December 10, 2024, 02:00:12 PM
Gateway's assemblage started a long time ago... If anything, the lack of progress on the Northbank helped them assemble even more than they could have if downtown had substantial demand. There's no way they could have assembled what they did, without another player getting involved & ruining the fun. Not to mention, DLP is bankrolling the operation.
JWB & DLP had/has the vision & took the risk while the Northbank has continued to decline... Two local companies with substantial assets. I personally think the city deserves very little credit for what these companies were able to pull off. Just my 2 cents.
That's exactly what I said 2 posts above, btw. Not sure if you misread it.
Ah, I misread! My apologies.
Very much agree on the UF item... lol.
All... there would be no JWB or Gateway investment in downtown without the DIA.
Without the DIA, there is not 91 new townhomes and 91 new homeowners in Lavilla at Johnson Commons. Without the DIA, there is no DPRP incentive program for historic buildings, which JWB used to renovate 218 Church Street, the Federal Reserve Building, the Porter House Mansion, and the Greenleaf building (Greenleaf still in process). Without the DIA and their leadership (Bryan Moll thought Lori was amazing when they met back in 2022) and incentive programs, we don't get Bryan to come to Jax and lead Gateway... and that project would not be anything close to what it is if JWB was running point on it and not Bryan!
I also wish development was happening faster... but these things take time. No person/organization is perfect. Not asking people on here to be blind sunshine pumpers, or not criticize when criticism is due. But if you like what JWB and Gateway have been doing in downtown the last five years, you HAVE to give the DIA credit. From the horse's mouth, anything else is disingenuous.
One last thing - more people read these boards than you think, and they do have some level of impact on downtown sentiment. As much as you send criticism when it is due, please celebrate all the good news when it comes too. I think you will be seeing a lot of good news the next few years when it comes to downtown.
The DIA (mainly) & DDRB get flak for the wrong reasons bc they are really just review authorities acting within set parameters. The issue stems with the egregious lies being touted downtown - that remove a lot of credibility to the projects/people/businesses etc that are serious players. (Like placing every single project with any type of press in a "serious" report.)
The U2C has got to be one of the biggest taxpayer scams Jacksonville has ever seen. If not for JEA, it would be #1. Nobody downtown has even said something, other than Peluso, against it. Add on the fact that nobody in planning, the city, or JTA is willing to fully acknowledge, but understands, the fact that the U2C removes any possibility of any project in Jacksonville qualifying for TIFIA-TOD funding.
Moreover, the whole septic phase out program is several years behind.. it makes you wonder where all the money is going for such a vital project that will cost our city 8-figures whenever we can't bond the environmental fees. These reports (& previously Howland) highlight the sheer density of city funding going to such a small area... which frankly, if UF & Gateway weren't put together, what would the honest state of things be currently?
The city's collective decision to invest the amount it has into downtown should be faced with tough scrutiny because it makes blunders like the U2C that much more expensive to the taxpayer 20-years from now. I'm glad the private market is doing its part, but the powers in the city needs to take a stand on what real transit will look like in the most important area in our entire city. These reports only hurt these types of efforts, from my perspective.
Quote from: Alex Sifakis on December 12, 2024, 09:44:47 AM
All... there would be no JWB or Gateway investment in downtown without the DIA.
Without the DIA, there is not 91 new townhomes and 91 new homeowners in Lavilla at Johnson Commons. Without the DIA, there is no DPRP incentive program for historic buildings, which JWB used to renovate 218 Church Street, the Federal Reserve Building, the Porter House Mansion, and the Greenleaf building (Greenleaf still in process). Without the DIA and their leadership (Bryan Moll thought Lori was amazing when they met back in 2022) and incentive programs, we don't get Bryan to come to Jax and lead Gateway... and that project would not be anything close to what it is if JWB was running point on it and not Bryan!
I also wish development was happening faster... but these things take time. No person/organization is perfect. Not asking people on here to be blind sunshine pumpers, or not criticize when criticism is due. But if you like what JWB and Gateway have been doing in downtown the last five years, you HAVE to give the DIA credit. From the horse's mouth, anything else is disingenuous.
One last thing - more people read these boards than you think, and they do have some level of impact on downtown sentiment. As much as you send criticism when it is due, please celebrate all the good news when it comes too. I think you will be seeing a lot of good news the next few years when it comes to downtown.
Well said.
Quote from: Alex Sifakis on December 12, 2024, 09:44:47 AM
All... there would be no JWB or Gateway investment in downtown without the DIA.
Without the DIA, there is not 91 new townhomes and 91 new homeowners in Lavilla at Johnson Commons. Without the DIA, there is no DPRP incentive program for historic buildings, which JWB used to renovate 218 Church Street, the Federal Reserve Building, the Porter House Mansion, and the Greenleaf building (Greenleaf still in process). Without the DIA and their leadership (Bryan Moll thought Lori was amazing when they met back in 2022) and incentive programs, we don't get Bryan to come to Jax and lead Gateway... and that project would not be anything close to what it is if JWB was running point on it and not Bryan!
Not asking people on here to be blind sunshine pumpers, or not criticize when criticism is due. But if you like what JWB and Gateway have been doing in downtown the last five years, you HAVE to give the DIA credit. From the horse's mouth, anything else is disingenuous.
I honestly think you'll find that most people here consider the Gateway/JWB stuff to be the most exciting, most catalytic plan that downtown has seen over the last 20+ years. It'll be the biggest win DT Jax has seen in many of our lifetimes if it crosses the finish line. And I've heard straight from Bryan's mouth that his involvement wouldn't have happened without the DIA and Lori. No DIA, no project. Absolutely not disputing that.
But I think a lot of us have also become cynical over the years and reluctant to credit organizations like the DIA with their flowers until after the certificate of occupancy is in hand and the project is complete. There have just been too many false starts and abandoned projects over the last five years. The District. The OG Shipyards. Spandrell. The Hardwick. American Lions. The residential tower at the old Greyhound site. Lot J. The Laura Street Trio. Ambassador. Independent Life. Everything about the project and the steps that have been taken suggest that it's got more credibility and possibility of happening than maybe all of those other projects combined, but to me personally, full credit will come when it's complete, because that's what DT Jax needs. I've been burned too many times. Our reputation as a "city of renders" is well documented.
QuoteOne last thing - more people read these boards than you think, and they do have some level of impact on downtown sentiment. As much as you send criticism when it is due, please celebrate all the good news when it comes too. I think you will be seeing a lot of good news the next few years when it comes to downtown.
Looking forward to it! And I will say, though this board can lean negative against some of the downtown organizations (myself one of the biggest offenders), you'll also see many people, myself included, thrilled to celebrate positive new DIA initiatives.
Just from the last couple of weeks:
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,38066.0.html
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,38095.0.html
Feels like this place has also been highly complimentary of the DIA beefing up the historic preservation fund, negotiating an equitable deal with the Jags for their Four Seasons/Shipyards project, launching Sip & Stroll, and (depending on which side of the debate you fell on) standing up against the public subsidies requested for the Lot J project.
Any criticism absolutely isn't personal.
For the DIA specifically, their stated job is to:
QuoteGuided by a nine-member board, the DIA works to attract investment, facilitate job creation, support infrastructure improvements, and oversee public property disposition.
We've had five years under this current DIA group. Without diminishing some of the awesome stuff noted above, I think it's entirely fair to suggest that job creation has gone backwards, public property disposition has not been successful with all of the failed riverfront RFPs, infrastructure improvements like two-waying of streets, Musical Heritage Park, St. Johns Park have been very slow to progress, and outside investment has failed to turn as much completed work as you'd like to see over a five-year period of historic economic prosperity and immigration for Jax.
It's awesome what you guys have done with the support of the DIA, but for a city our size, feels like it shouldn't be you guys shouldering the full responsibility of proving their effectiveness. Why aren't there three or four other JWBs out there trying to get their hands on property?
QuoteI also wish development was happening faster... but these things take time.
I get it, and it's also what worries me.
My optimism about Downtown Jacksonville five years from now is about as high as it's ever been. As noted, the Gateway/JWB project has the potential to be truly transformational. The new mayoral administration is
crushing it, in my opinion, and negotiated a great deal with the Jags that's a win-win for the franchise and downtown quality of life. New parks are coming, new solutions to the vagrant crisis are coming, the Four Seasons is coming. Awesome riverfront development, some announced/some not yet public knowledge, is on the horizon. UF is setting up shop.
But what I'm worried about is how we shore up existing downtown business in the interim so all of these great new additions add net-new downtown vibrancy, instead of backfilling the monthly losses we've been seeing for a while now.
You mention how we needn't be all rainbows and sunshine, just better acknowledge the positive. I think that's quite fair. In the same vain though, I think that works both ways. The DIA & DVI can be the exact opposite, all rainbows and sunshine while ignoring or not directly addressing the dire issues that all of us see with our own eyes on the streets each day.
Lost/ignored in the DVI's State of Downtown Report is the attrition. Just off the top of my head, we've lost Peterbrooke, Vagabond, Back to the Grind, Bread & Board, Jumping Jax, Magnificat, and Burrito Gallery in the last 10 months. Olio, Zodiac, and Cowford lunch service weren't far behind that. Major businesses, some with thousands of employees, are considering leaving because of how things are now, rather than how they will potentially be in five years.
I get frustrated and lose trust when none of this is publicly acknowledged. The first part of stopping the bleeding in the short-term is admitting there's a problem and working toward some immediate solutions while we wait for the bigger, exciting plans to come online.
90% of my criticism of the DIA and DVI would go away if I didn't hear them on the radio or in interviews saying that the homeless problem is statistically overstated, Jacksonville's rising downtown office vacancy is normal and because of "work from home shifts," and that downtown has never had more momentum. It's DELIGHTFUL to be optimistic, I'm an optimistic guy, but I'd be much, much more supportive if I heard, "Downtown residents and workers - we hear you. We've got some really difficult challenges to overcome in the short-term while we fix these bigger things. Here's what we're going to do." That's it. Just an acknowledgment that there's a problem in the moment, and we're all in it together to try to fix it. And instead of feeling like I'm being told my eyeballs are lying to me and the empty storefronts/vagrant threatening to stab me are hallucinations, I feel like we're all on the same page. And if there's a roadblock toward change, we can all address it honestly as a populace. Does the DIA need more resources? Is there too much red tape? Let's find a way to collectively fix it.
I think I've mentioned it in the past, but a lot of my frustration and passion about the downtown situation over the last 7 or 8 years ultimately comes down to being a Dad. I brought my daughter to One Spark when she was just a baby, and it was just the greatest time. And I took a job downtown in 2017 because I wanted to be part of that growth, support downtown business, and have this awesome place to spend time with her as she grew up. She's turning 11 this weekend, and I can't even bring her down to the office to hang out on the weekend because there are vagrants camped out in our entrance and all of our favorite spots on Laura Street are closed. Having a vibrant, clean, safe urban area is just so vital to a city's quality of life, and creating a region where kids like her will want to stay and plant roots in post-college. Really breaks my heart that her entire childhood and early adulthood might pass without any real progress being made.
I got 7 more years with her here. Let's go!
Quote from: Ken_FSU on December 12, 2024, 12:24:18 PM
Quote from: Alex Sifakis on December 12, 2024, 09:44:47 AM
All... there would be no JWB or Gateway investment in downtown without the DIA.
Without the DIA, there is not 91 new townhomes and 91 new homeowners in Lavilla at Johnson Commons. Without the DIA, there is no DPRP incentive program for historic buildings, which JWB used to renovate 218 Church Street, the Federal Reserve Building, the Porter House Mansion, and the Greenleaf building (Greenleaf still in process). Without the DIA and their leadership (Bryan Moll thought Lori was amazing when they met back in 2022) and incentive programs, we don't get Bryan to come to Jax and lead Gateway... and that project would not be anything close to what it is if JWB was running point on it and not Bryan!
Not asking people on here to be blind sunshine pumpers, or not criticize when criticism is due. But if you like what JWB and Gateway have been doing in downtown the last five years, you HAVE to give the DIA credit. From the horse's mouth, anything else is disingenuous.
I honestly think you'll find that most people here consider the Gateway/JWB stuff to be the most exciting, most catalytic plan that downtown has seen over the last 20+ years. It'll be the biggest win DT Jax has seen in many of our lifetimes if it crosses the finish line. And I've heard straight from Bryan's mouth that his involvement wouldn't have happened without the DIA and Lori. No DIA, no project. Absolutely not disputing that.
But I think a lot of us have also become cynical over the years and reluctant to credit organizations like the DIA with their flowers until after the certificate of occupancy is in hand and the project is complete. There have just been too many false starts and abandoned projects over the last five years. The District. The OG Shipyards. Spandrell. The Hardwick. American Lions. The residential tower at the old Greyhound site. Lot J. The Laura Street Trio. Ambassador. Independent Life. Everything about the project and the steps that have been taken suggest that it's got more credibility and possibility of happening than maybe all of those other projects combined, but to me personally, full credit will come when it's complete, because that's what DT Jax needs. I've been burned too many times. Our reputation as a "city of renders" is well documented.
QuoteOne last thing - more people read these boards than you think, and they do have some level of impact on downtown sentiment. As much as you send criticism when it is due, please celebrate all the good news when it comes too. I think you will be seeing a lot of good news the next few years when it comes to downtown.
Looking forward to it! And I will say, though this board can lean negative against some of the downtown organizations (myself one of the biggest offenders), you'll also see many people, myself included, thrilled to celebrate positive new DIA initiatives.
Just from the last couple of weeks:
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,38066.0.html
https://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,38095.0.html
Feels like this place has also been highly complimentary of the DIA beefing up the historic preservation fund, negotiating an equitable deal with the Jags for their Four Seasons/Shipyards project, launching Sip & Stroll, and (depending on which side of the debate you fell on) standing up against the public subsidies requested for the Lot J project.
Any criticism absolutely isn't personal.
For the DIA specifically, their stated job is to:
QuoteGuided by a nine-member board, the DIA works to attract investment, facilitate job creation, support infrastructure improvements, and oversee public property disposition.
We've had five years under this current DIA group. Without diminishing some of the awesome stuff noted above, I think it's entirely fair to suggest that job creation has gone backwards, public property disposition has not been successful with all of the failed riverfront RFPs, infrastructure improvements like two-waying of streets, Musical Heritage Park, St. Johns Park have been very slow to progress, and outside investment has failed to turn as much completed work as you'd like to see over a five-year period of historic economic prosperity and immigration for Jax.
It's awesome what you guys have done with the support of the DIA, but for a city our size, feels like it shouldn't be you guys shouldering the full responsibility of proving their effectiveness. Why aren't there three or four other JWBs out there trying to get their hands on property?
QuoteI also wish development was happening faster... but these things take time.
I get it, and it's also what worries me.
My optimism about Downtown Jacksonville five years from now is about as high as it's ever been. As noted, the Gateway/JWB project has the potential to be truly transformational. The new mayoral administration is crushing it, in my opinion, and negotiated a great deal with the Jags that's a win-win for the franchise and downtown quality of life. New parks are coming, new solutions to the vagrant crisis are coming, the Four Seasons is coming. Awesome riverfront development, some announced/some not yet public knowledge, is on the horizon. UF is setting up shop.
But what I'm worried about is how we shore up existing downtown business in the interim so all of these great new additions add net-new downtown vibrancy, instead of backfilling the monthly losses we've been seeing for a while now.
You mention how we needn't be all rainbows and sunshine, just better acknowledge the positive. I think that's quite fair. In the same vain though, I think that works both ways. The DIA & DVI can be the exact opposite, all rainbows and sunshine while ignoring or not directly addressing the dire issues that all of us see with our own eyes on the streets each day.
Lost/ignored in the DVI's State of Downtown Report is the attrition. Just off the top of my head, we've lost Peterbrooke, Vagabond, Back to the Grind, Bread & Board, Jumping Jax, Magnificat, and Burrito Gallery in the last 10 months. Olio, Zodiac, and Cowford lunch service weren't far behind that. Major businesses, some with thousands of employees, are considering leaving because of how things are now, rather than how they will potentially be in five years.
I get frustrated and lose trust when none of this is publicly acknowledged. The first part of stopping the bleeding in the short-term is admitting there's a problem and working toward some immediate solutions while we wait for the bigger, exciting plans to come online.
90% of my criticism of the DIA and DVI would go away if I didn't hear them on the radio or in interviews saying that the homeless problem is statistically overstated, Jacksonville's rising downtown office vacancy is normal and because of "work from home shifts," and that downtown has never had more momentum. It's DELIGHTFUL to be optimistic, I'm an optimistic guy, but I'd be much, much more supportive if I heard, "Downtown residents and workers - we hear you. We've got some really difficult challenges to overcome in the short-term while we fix these bigger things. Here's what we're going to do." That's it. Just an acknowledgment that there's a problem in the moment, and we're all in it together to try to fix it. And instead of feeling like I'm being told my eyeballs are lying to me and the empty storefronts/vagrant threatening to stab me are hallucinations, I feel like we're all on the same page. And if there's a roadblock toward change, we can all address it honestly as a populace. Does the DIA need more resources? Is there too much red tape? Let's find a way to collectively fix it.
I think I've mentioned it in the past, but a lot of my frustration and passion about the downtown situation over the last 7 or 8 years ultimately comes down to being a Dad. I brought my daughter to One Spark when she was just a baby, and it was just the greatest time. And I took a job downtown in 2017 because I wanted to be part of that growth, support downtown business, and have this awesome place to spend time with her as she grew up. She's turning 11 this weekend, and I can't even bring her down to the office to hang out on the weekend because there are vagrants camped out in our entrance and all of our favorite spots on Laura Street are closed. Having a vibrant, clean, safe urban area is just so vital to a city's quality of life, and creating a region where kids like her will want to stay and plant roots in post-college. Really breaks my heart that her entire childhood and early adulthood might pass without any real progress being made.
I got 7 more years with her here. Let's go!
I've been relatively quiet about this stuff since joining the mayor's office, but I feel like I need to say, some of the criticism DIA gets is totally unfair. It's not that there aren't big issues with Downtown or that aren't things to criticize DIA about; the Jaxson has been quite vocal about in our issues for over 6 years, myself included. But there's a tendency to lump all problems that Downtown faces together as DIA problems, and it's just not accurate.
For instance, you mention "infrastructure improvements like two-waying of streets, Musical Heritage Park, St. Johns Park," etc. Simply put, DIA doesn't have jurisdiction over the execution of projects like this. They create incentives packages, help make plans, etc. to kick them off, but execution on that infrastructure work is up to the city departments which report to the administration. Different mayors have different emphases, and currently we have one that's very focused on downtown. We've had a lot of success in getting things like the road projects and parks started or completed in the last year and a half, but it couldn't have been done so fast without the groundwork that DIA has laid.
You also mention the homelessness issue. That's also a city issue, as well as a JSO issue. It's definitely a major problem, and it's something we're putting a lot of focus on. The part that'll be kicking into higher gear in the new year is the PATH team under the JFRD, which seeks out homeless folks who are sleeping in public areas and brings them to shelters and connects them with support resources (and if they won't accept, that's where JSO comes in). As council liaison, I can say without reservation that this whole thing has taken a metric shit ton of work to get going, and DIA has been very helpful all around.
Loss of businesses and employers is also a big issue. While there's no one solution since each business is a little different, I believe what I've always believed, that the best way forward is to lay the groundwork through planning, infrastructure and incentives, and focus on the Three C's of clustering complementing uses in a compact setting. I believe with projects like Gateway, the parks, and smaller base hits for businesses supported by programs like this (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/oct/25/new-dia-program-focuses-on-energizing-the-heart-of-downtown/), we're laying the right type of groundwork.
At the end of the day, I think we're probably conflating two different perspectives, looking in two different directions. You feel like the DIA has been a big help since Mayor Deegan took over in July, and is helping a very downtown-friendly mayor with an awesome staff continue to lay the groundwork for downtown redevelopment. I fully agree with this, and am optimistic to see what everyone can do together when rowing in the same direction.
When I look at in the rearview mirror over one of the biggest economic booms in our city's history, and at the current conditions on the streets, I feel like the DIA has been largely impotent over the last five years, and has abjectly made almost no (or backward) progress towards the very goals that I don't arbitrarily or unfairly hold them to, but that they claim themselves as their very reason for existence (https://investdtjax.com/about-dia):
(https://snipboard.io/GXN4An.jpg)
I'm a positive dude, and it brings no pleasure at all to be critical, but when I look through that list of goals and critically evaluate whether we've moved in a positive or negative direction over the last five or six years, the DIA (regardless of all of the political machinations and red tape that all of us are ultimately beholden to in our public and private sector jobs) is batting like 1 for 8 over the period covered in the recent DVI report (the report whose rosy portrayal of the current state of the streets triggered this thread). And I don't know who else I have to blame for having to jump on a plane to travel to other cities to meet with clients because the conditions are so rough on the streets in Q4 2024.
Decades of our lives have already been squandered with no meaningful progress downtown in the CBD, and I don't think it does anyone any favors to not hold our downtown agencies feet to the fire to find a way to push through the b.s. and make dirt turn, particularly when every single peer city I visit is running circles around us. The local media certainly isn't doing it. The close-knit political circles aren't.
Homelessness, and attrition, and public works delays, and office vacancy definitely, 100%, to your point, aren't DIA-exclusive problems to fix. Just like Trent Baalke can't make Gabe Davis catch the ball. But at the end of the day, when it comes to the big-picture state of downtown Jacksonville, the buck's gotta stop somewhere. We get nowhere if we're afraid to ask the binary question - "Are things demonstrabily improving under this group?" It comes with the job. We've spun our wheels for too long, with too little to show for it, to not approach this all with a sense of urgency.
To the same extent, if the DIA is taking unfair criticism, a lot of that comes down to a lack of communication after announcing initiaitves (something Deegan has pushed in the right direction). The public can't be mind readers, and the DIA has shared almost nothing back over the years with the public about why some of the projects noted have been delayed. If there are political or operational holdups delaying the two-saying of streets for four years, explain why. If Friendship Fountain is being stonewalled for years because Lenny is pissy at Leanna, well that's probably a tougher one.
ALL THAT SAID, again, I am genuinely optimistic about the coming years. I think we're got the leadership in place, with the right priorities, to really push things forward.
Perfectly happy and willing to hit the reset button and give everyone the benefit of the doubt under our new city leadership, while continuing to strongly believe that we HAVE TO look outside of Jacksonville for our next DIA CEO and bring in someone with a proven track record of rapidly redeveloping a major urban area. And I actually do genuinely think it would be great for the city and DIA to keep Lori Boyer on in a support role, as there's no one smarter or more knowledgable about our codes.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on December 12, 2024, 12:24:18 PM
But what I'm worried about is how we shore up existing downtown business in the interim so all of these great new additions add net-new downtown vibrancy, instead of backfilling the monthly losses we've been seeing for a while now.
You mention how we needn't be all rainbows and sunshine, just better acknowledge the positive. I think that's quite fair. In the same vain though, I think that works both ways. The DIA & DVI can be the exact opposite, all rainbows and sunshine while ignoring or not directly addressing the dire issues that all of us see with our own eyes on the streets each day.
Lost/ignored in the DVI's State of Downtown Report is the attrition. Just off the top of my head, we've lost Peterbrooke, Vagabond, Back to the Grind, Bread & Board, Jumping Jax, Magnificat, and Burrito Gallery in the last 10 months. Olio, Zodiac, and Cowford lunch service weren't far behind that. Major businesses, some with thousands of employees, are considering leaving because of how things are now, rather than how they will potentially be in five years.
Another one bites the dust.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/dec/18/super-food-brew-downtown-to-close-dec-31/
I say this sensitively, with full knowledge of the externalities.
If you fail at any job and badly miss your performance goals for multiple years in a row, it's time to get out and make room for someone who can succeed.
We've got a large enough sample size to know none of this is working in the moment to help downtown business.
Downtown is BLEEDING business, and our downtown agencies have still yet to even acknowledge that there's a problem.
How many hours and how much money went into the State of Downtown report? Just to tell the downtown business owners that funded it how things have never been better.
I try to be positive, but it will take YEARS to backfill these losses that continue to pile up.
Absolute, unhinged insanity.
I'll say, I'm glad for the DIA and the fact that we in the city departments and private investors are moving in the same direction in terms of the things like the public spaces, streetscaping incentives and above all clustering.
Quote from: Tacachale on December 18, 2024, 10:55:33 PM
I'll say, I'm glad for the DIA and the fact that we in the city departments and private investors are moving in the same direction in terms of the things like the public spaces, streetscaping incentives and above all clustering.
Non-antagonistic question for you Bill (or really anyone) that I'm genuinely curious about.
You mentioned a few days ago that you're optimistic about the groundwork being laid by the DIA with the new Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/oct/25/new-dia-program-focuses-on-energizing-the-heart-of-downtown/).
Described in the article as:
QuoteNew DIA program focuses on energizing the heart of Downtown
The Downtown Investment Authority launched a new initiative to ensure that people who check out the new public facilities have places to dine, drink and shop in the historic central business district.
On Oct. 16, the DIA board unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program, in which the DIA staff will put a special focus on spurring redevelopment in a 12-block area running along Laura and Hogan streets between Independent Drive and Church Street.
As described in Resolution 2024-10-04, the program's activating legislation, the initiative will involve DIA staff reaching out to property owners in the targeted area to discuss possible projects with a goal of "high impact, near-term implementation" of new developments in the next three years.
The authority plans to explain to property owners how various DIA incentive programs could help fund retail establishments, facade improvements, historic preservation work and more.
"What I would like to see is that when the park spaces and Emerald Trail open, you have a critical mass of other spaces that are also open," DIA CEO Lori Boyer told the DIA Strategic Implementation Committee on Oct. 15.
"I think you'll get a lot more bang for your buck if you can get more of those open now."
She said the DIA also would be looking to fund public enhancements in the targeted area, such as streetscape improvements, lighting and landscaping.
In response to a question from board member James Citrano Jr., Boyer said the DIA wasn't planning to adopt any new incentive programs related to the program.
I remember five years ago (Jan 2020), the DIA laid out a plan that sounded very similar, with a goal of attracting 25 new restaurant and retail establishments to the CBD (https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/14/dia-ceo-unveils-plan-to-make-dt-core-vibrant-for.html).
QuoteDIA CEO Unveils Plan to Make Downtown Core Vibrant for Retailers
Under the program, which Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer presented in a Tuesday morning subcommittee meeting, retailers would be enticed to concentrate along Laura, Hogan, Forsyth and Bay streets by providing free or discounted city parking, rent control, grants for facility improvements, grants for sidewalk uses and incentives pegged to square footage and use type.
Boyer chose the two areas, known as the Laura and Hogan Corridor and the Elbow, because they had a significant inventory of vacant space while also having a concentration of retailers to build upon, were located near the city-owned Ed Ball and Yates garages and are oriented towards the sites of the former courthouse and the Landing, both of which the DIA expects to sell this year for development and riverfront activation.
"The idea is to cluster restaurants, bars, coffee shops in walkable areas," said Boyer.
Boyer also hopes to expand the sidewalks and convert one-way roads to two-way roads in both corridors, making them more walkable.
Specifically, Forsyth and Adams streets between Liberty and Pearl would be converted to two-way roads, and Hogan Street would get a cycle track that connects into the Emerald Trail system. The districts would also get shade trees, public art and other improvements.
Boyer said she had already spoken with landlords about offering a reduced base rent, noting she would be unable to recruit restaurant operators at market rents. She also recommended that the new incentive program would cap the number of retailers by each type – ice cream parlors, coffee shops, etc. – that could receive the incentives, although no numbers were suggested.
Boyer's "enhanced" retail incentives would not replace an incentive structure already in effect, which provides forgivable loans of up to $20 per square foot or 50 percent of total eligible expenses. That incentive would still be available to retailers outside of the two concentrated districts, retailers within the districts that don't meet the eligibility criteria or retailers within the districts after the retail-type caps are reached.
When this plan was announced, there was a lot of talk about the DIA targeting high-profile local restauranteurs and brands (Safe Harbor, Taco Lu, Flying Iguana, Hawkers, Angie's, Mayday, etc.), but nothing ever materialized from it. New openings from the Retail Enhancement Program in the CBD have greatly dried up since 2019 or so.
In the absence of new incentives tied to the program, how do you feel we can succeed on Hogan & Laura specifically (where we're seeing so much bloodshed) in 2024 where we haven't over the last couple of years? I'm excited about all the new stuff coming in the future - from parks to Gateway - but what can do in the meantime to keep Bellwether from closing in the next six months, for example? They've already reduced hours.
Whoever's fault it is, the mass exodus of retail from the CBD has been really, really scary to watch. How do we stop it in the short-term?
Quote from: Ken_FSU on December 19, 2024, 12:01:42 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on December 18, 2024, 10:55:33 PM
I'll say, I'm glad for the DIA and the fact that we in the city departments and private investors are moving in the same direction in terms of the things like the public spaces, streetscaping incentives and above all clustering.
Non-antagonistic question for you Bill (or really anyone) that I'm genuinely curious about.
You mentioned a few days ago that you're optimistic about the groundwork being laid by the DIA with the new Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/oct/25/new-dia-program-focuses-on-energizing-the-heart-of-downtown/).
Described in the article as:
QuoteNew DIA program focuses on energizing the heart of Downtown
The Downtown Investment Authority launched a new initiative to ensure that people who check out the new public facilities have places to dine, drink and shop in the historic central business district.
On Oct. 16, the DIA board unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program, in which the DIA staff will put a special focus on spurring redevelopment in a 12-block area running along Laura and Hogan streets between Independent Drive and Church Street.
As described in Resolution 2024-10-04, the program's activating legislation, the initiative will involve DIA staff reaching out to property owners in the targeted area to discuss possible projects with a goal of "high impact, near-term implementation" of new developments in the next three years.
The authority plans to explain to property owners how various DIA incentive programs could help fund retail establishments, facade improvements, historic preservation work and more.
"What I would like to see is that when the park spaces and Emerald Trail open, you have a critical mass of other spaces that are also open," DIA CEO Lori Boyer told the DIA Strategic Implementation Committee on Oct. 15.
"I think you'll get a lot more bang for your buck if you can get more of those open now."
She said the DIA also would be looking to fund public enhancements in the targeted area, such as streetscape improvements, lighting and landscaping.
In response to a question from board member James Citrano Jr., Boyer said the DIA wasn't planning to adopt any new incentive programs related to the program.
I remember five years ago (Jan 2020), the DIA laid out a plan that sounded very similar, with a goal of attracting 25 new restaurant and retail establishments to the CBD (https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/14/dia-ceo-unveils-plan-to-make-dt-core-vibrant-for.html).
QuoteDIA CEO Unveils Plan to Make Downtown Core Vibrant for Retailers
Under the program, which Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer presented in a Tuesday morning subcommittee meeting, retailers would be enticed to concentrate along Laura, Hogan, Forsyth and Bay streets by providing free or discounted city parking, rent control, grants for facility improvements, grants for sidewalk uses and incentives pegged to square footage and use type.
Boyer chose the two areas, known as the Laura and Hogan Corridor and the Elbow, because they had a significant inventory of vacant space while also having a concentration of retailers to build upon, were located near the city-owned Ed Ball and Yates garages and are oriented towards the sites of the former courthouse and the Landing, both of which the DIA expects to sell this year for development and riverfront activation.
"The idea is to cluster restaurants, bars, coffee shops in walkable areas," said Boyer.
Boyer also hopes to expand the sidewalks and convert one-way roads to two-way roads in both corridors, making them more walkable.
Specifically, Forsyth and Adams streets between Liberty and Pearl would be converted to two-way roads, and Hogan Street would get a cycle track that connects into the Emerald Trail system. The districts would also get shade trees, public art and other improvements.
Boyer said she had already spoken with landlords about offering a reduced base rent, noting she would be unable to recruit restaurant operators at market rents. She also recommended that the new incentive program would cap the number of retailers by each type – ice cream parlors, coffee shops, etc. – that could receive the incentives, although no numbers were suggested.
Boyer's "enhanced" retail incentives would not replace an incentive structure already in effect, which provides forgivable loans of up to $20 per square foot or 50 percent of total eligible expenses. That incentive would still be available to retailers outside of the two concentrated districts, retailers within the districts that don't meet the eligibility criteria or retailers within the districts after the retail-type caps are reached.
When this plan was announced, there was a lot of talk about the DIA targeting high-profile local restauranteurs and brands (Safe Harbor, Taco Lu, Flying Iguana, Hawkers, Angie's, Mayday, etc.), but nothing ever materialized from it. New openings from the Retail Enhancement Program in the CBD have greatly dried up since 2019 or so.
In the absence of new incentives tied to the program, how do you feel we can succeed on Hogan & Laura specifically (where we're seeing so much bloodshed) in 2024 where we haven't over the last couple of years? I'm excited about all the new stuff coming in the future - from parks to Gateway - but what can do in the meantime to keep Bellwether from closing in the next six months, for example? They've already reduced hours.
Whoever's fault it is, the mass exodus of retail from the CBD has been really, really scary to watch. How do we stop it in the short-term?
Sure thing. My understanding is that the DIA board never approved the incentives pitch back in 2020. The current board has approved the October 2024 program, so that's one major difference. Just like different administrations, different boards have different priorities, and the current one is focusing more on the Three C's, which obviously I'm very happy with.
The current program also focuses more heavily on the built environment than previous efforts. Ie, it's targeted to underused or hidden retail spaces, and further along, will also target some new buildout along that corridor where there isn't retail now, and even some potential residential buildout for unused upper floors of certain buildings. Again I think this is the right approach, as there's only so far attracting businesses can take you if there aren't enough fronts for them to go to within a compact enough setting.
This coincides with the restructuring of Hogan Street as part of the Emerald Trail which will make it more pedestrian and bike friendly and channel more activity along that way. To be clear, Hogan Street has been something DIA and Lori Boyer have been advocating for for years, but it wasn't prioritized on the City end until we got here. It's progressing through the design phase and construction should start by this summer. And finally, this target area is more focused than the 2020 version and similar attempts. It's 5-6 blocks on two streets. As the third C of the Three C's argues, it's more effective for clustering to be within a compact, pedestrian-scale setting.
Now, as to the question of how we can help save current businesses that are struggling, all that's only part of the answer, as it will take a while to see the fruits of the labor. In the short term, it will fall to things already on the ground like the existing DIA incentives for the businesses, our new homelessness plan, streamlining permitting and approvals, and continuing to work on residential and office space. It isn't easy but from where we're at, the only way out is through.
Quote from: Tacachale on December 19, 2024, 12:27:03 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on December 19, 2024, 12:01:42 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on December 18, 2024, 10:55:33 PM
I'll say, I'm glad for the DIA and the fact that we in the city departments and private investors are moving in the same direction in terms of the things like the public spaces, streetscaping incentives and above all clustering.
Non-antagonistic question for you Bill (or really anyone) that I'm genuinely curious about.
You mentioned a few days ago that you're optimistic about the groundwork being laid by the DIA with the new Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/oct/25/new-dia-program-focuses-on-energizing-the-heart-of-downtown/).
Described in the article as:
QuoteNew DIA program focuses on energizing the heart of Downtown
The Downtown Investment Authority launched a new initiative to ensure that people who check out the new public facilities have places to dine, drink and shop in the historic central business district.
On Oct. 16, the DIA board unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Hogan-Laura Corridor Activation Program, in which the DIA staff will put a special focus on spurring redevelopment in a 12-block area running along Laura and Hogan streets between Independent Drive and Church Street.
As described in Resolution 2024-10-04, the program's activating legislation, the initiative will involve DIA staff reaching out to property owners in the targeted area to discuss possible projects with a goal of "high impact, near-term implementation" of new developments in the next three years.
The authority plans to explain to property owners how various DIA incentive programs could help fund retail establishments, facade improvements, historic preservation work and more.
"What I would like to see is that when the park spaces and Emerald Trail open, you have a critical mass of other spaces that are also open," DIA CEO Lori Boyer told the DIA Strategic Implementation Committee on Oct. 15.
"I think you'll get a lot more bang for your buck if you can get more of those open now."
She said the DIA also would be looking to fund public enhancements in the targeted area, such as streetscape improvements, lighting and landscaping.
In response to a question from board member James Citrano Jr., Boyer said the DIA wasn't planning to adopt any new incentive programs related to the program.
I remember five years ago (Jan 2020), the DIA laid out a plan that sounded very similar, with a goal of attracting 25 new restaurant and retail establishments to the CBD (https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/14/dia-ceo-unveils-plan-to-make-dt-core-vibrant-for.html).
QuoteDIA CEO Unveils Plan to Make Downtown Core Vibrant for Retailers
Under the program, which Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer presented in a Tuesday morning subcommittee meeting, retailers would be enticed to concentrate along Laura, Hogan, Forsyth and Bay streets by providing free or discounted city parking, rent control, grants for facility improvements, grants for sidewalk uses and incentives pegged to square footage and use type.
Boyer chose the two areas, known as the Laura and Hogan Corridor and the Elbow, because they had a significant inventory of vacant space while also having a concentration of retailers to build upon, were located near the city-owned Ed Ball and Yates garages and are oriented towards the sites of the former courthouse and the Landing, both of which the DIA expects to sell this year for development and riverfront activation.
"The idea is to cluster restaurants, bars, coffee shops in walkable areas," said Boyer.
Boyer also hopes to expand the sidewalks and convert one-way roads to two-way roads in both corridors, making them more walkable.
Specifically, Forsyth and Adams streets between Liberty and Pearl would be converted to two-way roads, and Hogan Street would get a cycle track that connects into the Emerald Trail system. The districts would also get shade trees, public art and other improvements.
Boyer said she had already spoken with landlords about offering a reduced base rent, noting she would be unable to recruit restaurant operators at market rents. She also recommended that the new incentive program would cap the number of retailers by each type – ice cream parlors, coffee shops, etc. – that could receive the incentives, although no numbers were suggested.
Boyer's "enhanced" retail incentives would not replace an incentive structure already in effect, which provides forgivable loans of up to $20 per square foot or 50 percent of total eligible expenses. That incentive would still be available to retailers outside of the two concentrated districts, retailers within the districts that don't meet the eligibility criteria or retailers within the districts after the retail-type caps are reached.
When this plan was announced, there was a lot of talk about the DIA targeting high-profile local restauranteurs and brands (Safe Harbor, Taco Lu, Flying Iguana, Hawkers, Angie's, Mayday, etc.), but nothing ever materialized from it. New openings from the Retail Enhancement Program in the CBD have greatly dried up since 2019 or so.
In the absence of new incentives tied to the program, how do you feel we can succeed on Hogan & Laura specifically (where we're seeing so much bloodshed) in 2024 where we haven't over the last couple of years? I'm excited about all the new stuff coming in the future - from parks to Gateway - but what can do in the meantime to keep Bellwether from closing in the next six months, for example? They've already reduced hours.
Whoever's fault it is, the mass exodus of retail from the CBD has been really, really scary to watch. How do we stop it in the short-term?
Sure thing. My understanding is that the DIA board never approved the incentives pitch back in 2020. The current board has approved the October 2024 program, so that's one major difference. Just like different administrations, different boards have different priorities, and the current one is focusing more on the Three C's, which obviously I'm very happy with.
The current program also focuses more heavily on the built environment than previous efforts. Ie, it's targeted to underused or hidden retail spaces, and further along, will also target some new buildout along that corridor where there isn't retail now, and even some potential residential buildout for unused upper floors of certain buildings. Again I think this is the right approach, as there's only so far attracting businesses can take you if there aren't enough fronts for them to go to within a compact enough setting.
This coincides with the restructuring of Hogan Street as part of the Emerald Trail which will make it more pedestrian and bike friendly and channel more activity along that way. To be clear, Hogan Street has been something DIA and Lori Boyer have been advocating for for years, but it wasn't prioritized on the City end until we got here. It's progressing through the design phase and construction should start by this summer. And finally, this target area is more focused than the 2020 version and similar attempts. It's 5-6 blocks on two streets. As the third C of the Three C's argues, it's more effective for clustering to be within a compact, pedestrian-scale setting.
Now, as to the question of how we can help save current businesses that are struggling, all that's only part of the answer, as it will take a while to see the fruits of the labor. In the short term, it will fall to things already on the ground like the existing DIA incentives for the businesses, our new homelessness plan, streamlining permitting and approvals, and continuing to work on residential and office space. It isn't easy but from where we're at, the only way out is through.
Great stuff, Bill. I think this is exactly what we need, in terms of a focused effort on this key area that everyone is aligned on organizationally. Love the idea about activating hidden retail and residential as well. Also, interesting information about Hogan Street. I know there are political sensitivities, but it's the type of information that I wish the DIA was willing to be more transparent about, so the population knew where the bottleneck was and could make sure they were putting the pressure on the right people.
Add another one to the list. This is brutal
QuoteWolf & Cub, the vintage clothing and accessories store at 205 N. Laura St. Downtown opened in 2016 by Emily Moody and Varick Rosete, announced Feb. 6 on its Facebook page that it is closing.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share some big news – after nearly nine years in Downtown Jacksonville, Varick and I have made the difficult decision to move Wolf & Cub out of Downtown," Moody wrote.
She continued: "This city and this space have been our creative home, our passion project and a gathering place for so many of you who have supported us through every season."
The post also said they can't yet reveal the new location but they plan to reopen later this year and the website, wolfandcubjax.com, will remain active and all merchandise in the store will be sold at 30% discount.
"This isn't a goodbye. It's just a shift and we can't wait to share what's next," Moody wrote.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/feb/06/wolf-cub-announces-it-is-closing-downtown-store/ (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/feb/06/wolf-cub-announces-it-is-closing-downtown-store/)
Also sad that I had never heard of this place until now. Looks like a place I would have checked out regularly. Dang.
From their FB post, "This was not the path we hoped to take, but the continued lack of support for businesses in DTJAX has made it impossible to stay".
There is a bit of momentum building with UF, Gateway, and Khan's projects. Imo, it's important to not forget about existing businesses/assets while looking to the future. More importantly, there will be a lot of new restaurants, businesses, multi-family, etc coming online in the next 5-10 years. DTJax has to ensure that what has happened in the last 5 years with closures does not happen to the next wave of new businesses.
Quote from: Zac T on February 06, 2025, 07:25:15 PM
Add another one to the list. This is brutal
QuoteWolf & Cub, the vintage clothing and accessories store at 205 N. Laura St. Downtown opened in 2016 by Emily Moody and Varick Rosete, announced Feb. 6 on its Facebook page that it is closing.
"It is with a heavy heart that we share some big news – after nearly nine years in Downtown Jacksonville, Varick and I have made the difficult decision to move Wolf & Cub out of Downtown," Moody wrote.
She continued: "This city and this space have been our creative home, our passion project and a gathering place for so many of you who have supported us through every season."
The post also said they can't yet reveal the new location but they plan to reopen later this year and the website, wolfandcubjax.com, will remain active and all merchandise in the store will be sold at 30% discount.
"This isn't a goodbye. It's just a shift and we can't wait to share what's next," Moody wrote.
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/feb/06/wolf-cub-announces-it-is-closing-downtown-store/ (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2025/feb/06/wolf-cub-announces-it-is-closing-downtown-store/)
Genuinely sucks, I hate to say it, but I'm still optimistic about the future of Laura Street.
Some really cool stuff happening:
- Live Oak should be closing on their purchase of the Laura Street Trio this month.
- Riverfront Plaza is coming along quickly, with the cafe shell complete, and plans for a riverfront restaurant in progress
- Gateway Jax appears to have a realistic plan for private development at Riverfront Plaza that is a win-win for the city in terms of the UF Campus.
- Funding is set aside to radically transform JWJ Park (still deeply dislike the proposed redesign, but that's neither here nor there)
- Pour Taproom and Pizza Jeans in the VyStar garage are humming along in terms of construction
- Oak Steakhouse is coming to 204 North Laura
- The Miami group is planning to open BOFA tower to the streets and install a high-end restaurant
- Juliette Balcony and the adjacent building is in new hands, with a plan to transform that key corner (and do something that with awful billboard)
- Though vacant, I can't imagine that the Bread & Board Provisions space stays empty for long once VyStar puts it on the market. They've gone above and beyond to incentive their retail tenants as well.
Broken record, but if the city can find a way to repurpose Snyder Memorial as a live music venue & bar/restaurant, reactivate the retail bays in front of the Main Street Library, drop a couple million to connect the Skyway to Brooklyn via no-frills station, and make JWJ Park into an active 365-day a year space, you've got the makings of a really, really awesome corridor.
I'm excited about all the projects coming along but boy can it be depressing walking around Downtown these days. The amount of business closings in the past 2 years has just made the quality of life so much worse. I see the light at the end of the tunnel but it still sucks being in the tunnel