The project awaits one big tenant, and then refurbishing will began. This is good news.
http://jacksonville.com/business/2010-02-11/story/works_in_progress_old_jacksonville_library_waiting_to_add_1_big_tenant
Situations like this are where Peyton and the 'power brokers' in the city could help make things happen. The JEDC and the Chamber and the other power brokers know of parties looking for space, and an effective sales job by them could push one of them to take a sufficient amount of this space.
I miss the Lighthouse Grille
"Then it was going to be a chocolate factory, but that melted away."
- i mean, really. is that needed? IS THAT LEVEL OF CORNY WORD PLAY NEEDED?????????
but i digress.
For that one big tennant, something that caters to the arts or school would be huge. You have to give young people a reason to come downtown, and this could be one.
I wish they would change the name though - "the library"?? C'mon. Put some color in those wave things also.
Quote from: copperfiend on February 11, 2010, 02:11:28 PM
I miss the Lighthouse Grille
Nothing survives at that location.
A charter school under/over a wine bar??? I thought there were rules that a school has to be a certain distance away from alcohol sales? That doesn't sound good. If UNF adds some downtown classes, then I think that would work well.
Do they really mean unchanged as to the exterior of the library?? Like UNCHANGED unchanged?? I sure hope not. At least get rid of some of that mosaic stuff, the fins can stay in a more updated fashion.
How about this new organization
http://veteransgreenjobs.org/
This is one of the program under development that Jacksonville needs
Green Construction and Retrofit
America’s buildings consume almost half of the energy used in this country and as a result generate over 40% of the green houses gases we contribute to the Earth’s atmosphere. With new practices and materials, it is possible to build houses and businesses that can cut these energy uses and missions by 50% or more. Substantial savings are also possible in the renovation of existing buildings. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy is working with leaders in the green building and energy efficiency fields to develop training and hands-on learning experiences in this exciting field.
One huge unmet need is the green renovation and preservation of the hundreds of thousands of historic structures in this country. At several of its training sites, Veterans Green Jobs is establishing trainings that integrate green building principals with historic building techniques to create high-paying job opportunities in this unique field. Please note: This program is currently in development and is not offered at this time.
Quote from: samiam on February 11, 2010, 04:56:59 PM
How about this new organization
http://veteransgreenjobs.org/
This is one of the program under development that Jacksonville needs
Green Construction and Retrofit
America’s buildings consume almost half of the energy used in this country and as a result generate over 40% of the green houses gases we contribute to the Earth’s atmosphere. With new practices and materials, it is possible to build houses and businesses that can cut these energy uses and missions by 50% or more. Substantial savings are also possible in the renovation of existing buildings. The Veterans Green Jobs Academy is working with leaders in the green building and energy efficiency fields to develop training and hands-on learning experiences in this exciting field.
One huge unmet need is the green renovation and preservation of the hundreds of thousands of historic structures in this country. At several of its training sites, Veterans Green Jobs is establishing trainings that integrate green building principals with historic building techniques to create high-paying job opportunities in this unique field. Please note: This program is currently in development and is not offered at this time.
Not only would this fill space in the old library it would bring Jacksonville to the for front of green jobs and would make Jacksonville a world leader in green technologes. This is a program that Jacksonvile needs to get on board with If not at the old library somewere
I want a Trader Joe's
http://veteransgreenjobs.org/
If any of you out there work for any of the Jacksonville collages check into this program. We need it
What about the new "Transportation Center"? Surely that Bldg is large enough to suit JTA and would not cost near as much to upgrade? Or Maybe the DCSB would like to move into there..............big enough for that also? Maybe JTA could be persauded to move into it with enough "incentives".......since City Hall just loves handing that stuff out (tax payers money hard at work for someone else) Got a better idea..........foreclose on 11E and the Carling............both bldgs can be put to work and then Vesco doesn't have to worry about making interest only payments!
Quote from: vicupstate on February 11, 2010, 02:03:58 PM
Situations like this are where Peyton and the 'power brokers' in the city could help make things happen. The JEDC and the Chamber and the other power brokers know of parties looking for space, and an effective sales job by them could push one of them to take a sufficient amount of this space.
Exactly.......
Maybe UNF could lease some space there to compliment the MOCA
We'll be waiting a while for Trader Joe's as no other city in FLorida has one. The nearest location is in Midtown Atlanta.
i have it from a good source that an old navy outlet has thier eye on it......
outlet?
Well, better than nothing.
I was kidding.
But this is from today:
RANTS & RAVES: Downtown needs Macy's, Ikea and good food
The fastest way to make downtown grow again is to bring in a Macy's, an Ikea, a Crate & Barrel, and a good cafeteria. Centrally locate them near Hemming [Plaza] and clear some nearby property for free or reasonably priced parking. There are a lot of empty buildings downtown so property should be cheap. Downtown workers would be so grateful to have some nice places to shop and these three stores would give people from all the suburbs a reason to go downtown again. There are thousands of people in town who could get to downtown much faster than they can get to the Town Center. Right now, they have no reason to go downtown.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-02-20/story/rants_raves_downtown_needs_macys_ikea_and_good_food
Well those are all better than Old Navy (ICK!). I disagree about the parking though, let's not lose any more buildings downtown, and certainly not for parking. Do like other DT areas, first half hour free....
I'm glad that the St. James was restored into City Hall, and in a way that was respectful to Klutho's design, but how nice it would have been to see that as a functioning department store.
Wanna REALLY introduce a foreign population to the joys of urbanity?
BASS PRO!
OCKLAWAHA
Folks...we're not going to get a downtown department store anytime soon (especially with open plots at STJC and an open buildings at Avenues and Regency)....and Bass Pro Shops has never built in a downtown (at least to my knowledge)....personally, I have no problem with an Old Navy and think it would actually fit in quite well.
There is a Bass Pro Shop across the bridge from downtown Mobile Al and boy is it amazing
Quote from: samiam on February 20, 2010, 09:32:47 PM
There is a Bass Pro Shop across the bridge from downtown Mobile Al and boy is it amazing
not exactly "downtown"...its right off I-10 and the bridge is over 5 miles long.
One trick ponies and gimmicks won't work for revitalizing DT. DT needs to become a self sustaining community that is fully integrated with the surrounding urban core neighborhoods. COJ will save itself a ton of money and time by focusing on these issues instead of throwing money on things the DT market can't support in an attempt to lure in suburbanites.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 20, 2010, 09:23:33 PM
Folks...we're not going to get a downtown department store anytime soon (especially with open plots at STJC and an open buildings at Avenues and Regency)....and Bass Pro Shops has never built in a downtown (at least to my knowledge)....personally, I have no problem with an Old Navy and think it would actually fit in quite well.
Okay y'all, Bass Pro is right smack dab in the center of BRICKTOWN, in downtown Oklahoma City, and it doesn't get more "downtown" then that, in fact this gimmick anchors the whole of the redeveloped tourism district of Central Oklahoma. Both Bass Pro and Ikea have proved that they will work with cities on urban stores, redevelopments, anchors, etc... Sure it's a gimmick, but who in their right mind would sneeze at that kind of traffic going into a downtown store? If XXXXXX persons daily were passing by, how long would it take for a restaurant to locate nearby? How about a haberdashery? Fedora hattery? and??
I have no problem promoting downtown to large speciality retail outlets any more then to small mom and pop businesses and/or franchises. ANY RETAIL moving in is POSITIVE RETAIL and I don't think downtown is in a position to say, we don't want it because we need more __________________ . OCKLAWAHA
I see a huge problem with it, if that gimmick destroys several blocks of the urban pedestrian friendly street grid by replacing it with a mega block suburban box. Since Bricktown is not in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City and Bass Pro is on the far outer edge of Bricktown, this suburban box is really more of a big box anchor next to an interstate than an urban anchor in the core of the city. For a suburbanite to get there they really don't have to drive into the heart of downtown at all.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/793300804_P9YnY-L.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/793300797_rAKSY-L.jpg)
I love what OKC has done with Bricktown but the Bass Pro area is anything but urban or pedestrian friendly. Outside of sticking something like this at the stadium or in Tallyrand (which won't draw suburbanites into DT..the stadium and Metropolitan Park don't now), one would have to wipe of several blocks of our urban core to accommodate what is essentially a non-urban Walmart.
Btw, that Bass Pro box would be like taking out the Annie Lytle and every existing building bounded by I-95, Forest and Park Streets and replacing them with a typical Walmart box and acres of parking to serve it. It would certainly pull people off the interstate to shop and even be worth driving/biking to for residents from surrounding urban core areas. However, that traffic would not make it into DT and it would be anything but pedestrian scale.
Target in DT Minneapolis was awesome! The Macy's in DT NOLA was pretty cool too!
Then Urban Outfitters in DT SLO is awesome (and where URBAN Outfitters should be!), along with the Pier One, Trader Joes, and many local businesses. In fact SLO would be a great profile to do. It is a town of about 50K and they have a MUCH better DT, without one single skyscraper!!!
How come no one has thought about the "New Transportation Center" being located there? Ground floor retail or specialty shops and uppers floors for JTA? If they can arrange financing for a traffic interchange they should make the most out of our tax dollars and be innovated and creative ..........or the Federal Reserve Bldg same or the JEA Bldg downtown.....same............three great property's and they are not being used for much at all!
Quote from: uptowngirl on February 21, 2010, 07:34:06 AM
Target in DT Minneapolis was awesome! The Macy's in DT NOLA was pretty cool too!
From what I hear, Cohens and Sears in DT Jax were pretty cool too.
QuoteThen Urban Outfitters in DT SLO is awesome (and where URBAN Outfitters should be!), along with the Pier One, Trader Joes, and many local businesses. In fact SLO would be a great profile to do. It is a town of about 50K and they have a MUCH better DT, without one single skyscraper!!!
Just keep in mind the demographics of DT Minn, NO and SLO. All of these places are well integrated with nearby walkable neighborhoods and contain great urban fabric. They all have the "livability" and "connectivity" elements we keep overlooking the importance of having in DT Jacksonville.
The issues Jax must overcome are deeper than just throwing money at chain retailers to locate in certain areas. Its the non-sexy things (neighborhood connectivity, maintaining public infrastructure, building fabric preservation, better zoning regulations, parking policy, etc.) we must address to create an environment that breeds market rate private development. Until we can address the things that hold the core back, we'll be hard pressed to pull anything similar to what these urban environments attract.
QuoteANY RETAIL moving in is POSITIVE RETAIL and I don't think downtown is in a position to say, we don't want it because we need more __________________ .
When it comes to national retailers, Jax won't be saying 'no'. It won't be in that position to begin with. The reality is the RETAILERS will be saying ' don't call us, we'll call you'.
Lake is right, gimmicks and one trick ponies have been tried before and have not worked (Landing, MOSH, Riverwalks, etc.) You need the basics first.
LOCAL retailers come first, then maybe a small regional one or two. Only AFTER demonstrated success has been proven, do the national retailers start returning your calls.
BTW, what is SLO?
I was a city councilman in Oklahoma, and my experience is completely different. The riverwalk was built, and we even had to build a river! When Bass Pro moved in there was NOTHING downtown but a ball park and old buildings but this trick pony, REALLY did it's job. The city went out and met with them and laid out a vision (called MAPS) and the rest is history.
OCKLAWAHA
Why couldn't we have something like this there?
http://www.thehistorycenter.org/
Quote from: copperfiend on February 21, 2010, 10:36:17 AM
Why couldn't we have something like this there?
http://www.thehistorycenter.org/
Isn't this just the same thing as MOSH only oriented toward history only?
Ock, what year did Bass Pro open in relation to the canal and warehouse conversions? I could have sworn it was a later addition to Bricktown and that MAPS came much earlier.
Quote from: vicupstate on February 21, 2010, 12:52:27 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on February 21, 2010, 10:36:17 AM
Why couldn't we have something like this there?
http://www.thehistorycenter.org/
Isn't this just the same thing as MOSH only oriented toward history only?
I really don't see it as being the same thing. Maybe it is just me but I think the history portion of MOSH is lacking.
How about a Walgreens or CVS in the HB Library?
It is my understanding Bass Pro had looked and may possibly look again in the future(once the economic environment) at the Town Center for possible expansion. The numbers are pretty darn close from what I was told. Bass Pro would not make sense downtown. The only way it could possibly make sense is at the Shipyards site with a store that included a marina to sell boats, like the flagship store in Key West. But given that, it simply does not make economic sense to have a Bass Pro downtown. It belongs at the Town Center. I don't care either way, I just want to be able to buy Uncle Bucks pancake and fish fry batter in my hometown ;D
Unfortunately, we don't have the demographic profile to fit an Ikea at this time(where I was yesterday, actually).
A smaller urban box build out of a CVS/Walgreens/RiteAid would be nice downtown, and would certainly fill a need.
The floor plan of the CVS adjacent to the College of Charleston would seem to be an ideal fit!
I'm assuming then that the previously proposed Peterbrooke factory/musuem in downtown is officially off the table?
Quote from: thelakelander on February 21, 2010, 06:35:27 AM
Btw, that Bass Pro box would be like taking out the Annie Lytle and every existing building bounded by I-95, Forest and Park Streets and replacing them with a typical Walmart box and acres of parking to serve it. It would certainly pull people off the interstate to shop and even be worth driving/biking to for residents from surrounding urban core areas. However, that traffic would not make it into DT and it would be anything but pedestrian scale.
Put it inside an existing structure......but parking would still be an issue.
Great news; but if they're going to have wine bars, bars, etc. on the 2nd and succeeding floors, I don't think it would be wise to have a college school on the ground floor. I think a large clothing store or a small home depot or lowes would be best.
"HU"
IMO DT residents would prefer a chain drugstore and dry cleaner to hardware or clothing store.
Lowe's or Home Depot anywhere DT is dreaming.
Especially since they have been putting the breaks on their expansion plans (like most chains these days). I wouldn't be suprised to see HD close a few existing stores before expanding into markets where the demographics can't support the outlet.
What about a small supermarket? No offense to the Winn Dixie, but that doesn't cut it. Downtown needs a supermarket.
keep in mind they own the empty lot at I-95/University...HD will build there to serve the urban core
Quote from: FCLR Symposium on February 21, 2010, 08:24:57 PM
What about a small supermarket? No offense to the Winn Dixie, but that doesn't cut it. Downtown needs a supermarket.
there is nothing worng with the downtown Winn Dixie...that said, there are plans for an urban market....just don't have illusions of it being inexpensive.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 21, 2010, 08:26:52 PM
Quote from: FCLR Symposium on February 21, 2010, 08:24:57 PM
What about a small supermarket? No offense to the Winn Dixie, but that doesn't cut it. Downtown needs a supermarket.
there is nothing worng with the downtown Winn Dixie...that said, there are plans for an urban market....just don't have illusions of it being inexpensive.
One BIG problem with the Winn Dixie: Location. Example: People working in downtown have nowhere to shop during the day (before, during, or right after work). It would be great to have a supermarket within walking distance.
Additionally, people on this blog want people to move downtown. Well, one of the first things that people consider when they move is: where is the closest supermarket? can I walk there, or do I have to drive? do I feel safe going there? etc.
well aaapolito...
people working downtown would generally be served by a convenience store (like Walgrens or CVS)....and the Sundrez shop at The Landing partially serves this market.
as for people moving downtown...I'm one of them...and one of the things that attracted me was having Winn Dixie 2 blocks away.
Grocery stores generally serve a market of about 10,000 people....so the Winn Dixie should be fine to serve Springfield and downtown proper...the Riverside Publix can serve that neighborhood as well as Brooklyn/LaVilla areas...and the planned San Marco Publix can serve that area and the Southbank.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 22, 2010, 09:10:03 AM
well aaapolito...
people working downtown would generally be served by a convenience store (like Walgrens or CVS)....and the Sundrez shop at The Landing partially serves this market.
as for people moving downtown...I'm one of them...and one of the things that attracted me was having Winn Dixie 2 blocks away.
Grocery stores generally serve a market of about 10,000 people....so the Winn Dixie should be fine to serve Springfield and downtown proper...the Riverside Publix can serve that neighborhood as well as Brooklyn/LaVilla areas...and the planned San Marco Publix can serve that area and the Southbank.
All great points. I think you're right.
I guess I would just like to have something between a full grocery store and a convenience store within walking distance to, say Hemming Plaza, or that general area. Wishful thinking, I suppose.
I would go downtown to a Bass Pro "Outdoor World" store just to see feeding time on Saturday.
Feeding Time on Saturday is currently held at the back side (Church St.) of Immaculate Conception mid-morning. It's very popular. ;)
Quote from: urbanlibertarian on February 23, 2010, 10:01:45 PM
Feeding Time on Saturday is currently held at the back side (Church St.) of Immaculate Conception mid-morning. It's very popular. ;)
LOL
What legitimate developer broadcasts to the Times Union they need a MAJOR tenant to develop a piece of property? A desperate one, that's who. When's the last time Sleiman said he needed A dillard's to open a strip mall?
These guys at the library, good intentions, but this space is way out of their league.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 01, 2010, 12:24:36 AM
What legitimate developer broadcasts to the Times Union they need a MAJOR tenant to develop a piece of property? A desperate one, that's who.
Why would you say that? This is not exactly rare in my experience.
Harris Teeter and Reids in DT Charlotte- two of the best stores and they both blow Winn Dixie out of the water! Oh and don't forget they also have a Trader Joe's, Target, Marshall's, and Best Buy. Granted that center is not right in the middle of DT, but pretty darn close.
Harris Teeter has been in the Jax market before, but just couldn't compete with Publix, so they left. This is mostly in part because people though Publix was high, hell, they're Wal-Mart prices compared to HT.