First, the Pirate Museum in St. Augustine - now this?
City museum looks to open at LandingQuoteA museum celebrating Jacksonville’s history and cultural diversity is expected to open at The Jacksonville Landing in mid-October.
The Jacksonville Museum and Cultural Center will include a kids’ play zone, a virtual fly-over tour of the city and exhibits highlighting the city’s history and ethnic populations, said Sherry Corrie, the museum’s board president. The Jacksonville native said the board has enough money to open the museum but is aiming to have about $400,000 through corporate donations before it opens.
“There some fantastic things that have happened and are happening in our neighborhoods that aren’t getting the deserved exposure,†said Corrie, who has owned several businesses and most recently was the Jacksonville International Boat Show’s promotional director.
She said the board is working to secure a 10,000-square-foot space at the Landing, but there are small sites available if it can’t afford the larger space. Despite other museums, such as the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, facing funding challenges due to the recession, Corrie said she is confident that the museum is sustainable.
“If it weren’t in a challenging economy, we wouldn’t have been able to get the space agreement we’ve got,†she said.
Entrance to the museum will be about $5 and discounts will be available to school and community groups. The museum will by staffed by three employees, volunteers and interns, Corrie said.
The board is in discussion with Jacksonville historic societies to donate exhibitions. It had already received old medical equipment used in the Riverside Hospital and Mayo Clinic Jacksonville.
Corrie’s impetus for the museum came from two sources. A caller on the WJCT’s First Coast Connect suggested a place where the area’s ethnic and cultural diversity could be displayed. The second came when she tried to suggest non-museum attractions to visiting friends from New York.
“I wanted to show the place where I live and all of the current and cool things that are happening and be proud of it,†she wrote in an e-mail. “I couldn’t think of one complete place to do that so I decided we really needed one.â€
http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2010/03/22/daily34.html
Clueless. The leaders of this city are clueless. You guys hope and pray for rail and this city allows its most distinct entertainment complex to be turned into a museum? Save your breath. I have never seen a city get in its own way so often. Amazing.
I honestly don't see what the big deal is about.
I don't understand what we're supposed to be upset about. Would we prefer that the space stay empty?
There just opening in a empty space right. Isnt this good news?
Ditto... I see this as a way to bring people downtown. I hope they get the space they need as well as the support. Not understanding where the animosity is coming from...
Sorry to be a pessimist - In hindsight, perhaps I'll reserve judgment until it opens & I pay a visit (which I will at least once). While I'm glad that empty space will be filled, I just can't get my head around the direction the Landing is ultimately going - in THIS economy or not. I really hope that it's not second rate. Realizing that this would be geared toward both residents & out-of-towners, some of the places that have popped up in there have been questionable. I suppose that I've just been caught up in wishful thinking & let downs: Peterbrooke (experience), Cheesecake Factory, Fuddruckers to name a few........I was happy to see Chicago Pizza, however. What/who is the Landing geared toward, really? Locals, visitors? Both? Nail salons & a riverfront gym aren't going to make the place a destination or an entertainment Mecca.
Ok Blizz01 I see your angle, but say your renting a house are you going to empty your bank account to fix up a house that someone else owns the land. I dont think we are going to see places like the Cheesecake Factory etc until what many see as a problem for the Landing which is parking. Also what is the future of the Landing now?
Quote from: St. Auggie on March 26, 2010, 10:50:51 PM
Clueless. The leaders of this city are clueless. You guys hope and pray for rail and this city allows its most distinct entertainment complex to be turned into a museum? Save your breath. I have never seen a city get in its own way so often. Amazing.
What do you think would better serve the space?? This place sounds a little boring I still can not tell what it will actually be, but this isn't exactly a Turtle Move. Might be a nice set up, might be lame....I dont like the 3 employee thing though.
Has anyone ever been to the Boudin Bakery in San Francisco? It has a pretty busy restaurant and bar downstairs, and upstairs is a breadmaking museum. The museum/restaurant combination works pretty well there. I think this would be pretty similar to that, which is the only reason I think it's a good idea... Otherwise it would be like taking an intended nightclub and turning it into a library.
I'm envisioning something with a giant miniature model of the city, and maybe some artifacts from different historic buildings and/or events. Something classy and professional though... not deskjet-printed signs Scotch taped to pedestals. ...which unfortunately is par for the course in Jacksonville...
I'm in the group that doesn't know what the big deal is. Nor do I understand how the city is clueless. A privately funded museum ("corporate donations") is leasing a privately owned retail space (albeit underlying land is leased to the City). I'm sure Sleiman would've liked to fill the space with something that would draw more visitors to the Landing, but with fallen retail fundamentals, low consumer spending, frozen debt markets, and quiet tenant demand I don't see how Sleiman denies signing this lease. Besides, good for anyone who is willing to roll the dice by opening a museum celebrating Jacksonville.
Quote from: Bativac on March 27, 2010, 12:16:28 PM
I'm envisioning something with a giant miniature model of the city, and maybe some artifacts from different historic buildings and/or events. Something classy and professional though... not deskjet-printed signs Scotch taped to pedestals. ...which unfortunately is par for the course in Jacksonville...
I wonder if the guy who is doing the Jacksonville 3-D photorealistic project could be tied into this?
Watching the days leading up to the Gator Bowl or the NCAA tournament this past weekend I saw people milling about LOOKING for a good time. LOOKING for a way to spend money. I did not speak to any of them I will admit, but they did not look like a museum going crowd. So many on this board get mad because the city seems to do things at a passable or acceptable level, but never strives for something exceptional. Some say "would I prefer to have the space empty", and I would say yes. I would wait for the right type of tenant, or what I believe the Landing should be. Problem is I dont think the landlord even knows what the landing should be. Before I lived in Jax I saw the Landing on TV and thought that that place would be awesome. I spent my first St. Patty's day down there LOOKING for something to do. Beautiful day, and I had to settle for Hooters. Its a crime the Landing is not cooler. A museum is just not what needs to be there IMO.
Just wondering, isn't this already cared for across the river at MOSH? I believe that the "Currents of Time" exhibit utilizes about the same amount of space with a like objective. I wonder how unlike that it could be, really.
Quote from: blizz01 on March 27, 2010, 01:50:07 PM
Just wondering, isn't this already cared for across the river at MOSH? I believe that the "Currents of Time" exhibit utilizes about the same amount of space with a like objective. I wonder how unlike that it could be, really.
I second this thought.
Quote from: St. Auggie on March 27, 2010, 12:59:56 PM
So many on this board get mad because the city seems to do things at a passable or acceptable level, but never strives for something exceptional. Some say "would I prefer to have the space empty", and I would say yes. I would wait for the right type of tenant, or what I believe the Landing should be.
While I understand your worries about it fitting into the Landing, this could be a good thing. Jacksonville, to my knowledge, doesn't have a good museum dedicated solely to itself. All too often I find myself leaning things about Jacksonville that seem to be too historically relevant for me to be learning for the first time. Say the museum is great (I know, I know, big IF), maybe it draws people to the Landing, other businesses (that could potentially fit what you're looking for in the Landing) can feed off the foot traffic, and the museum can eventually move into its own space outside the Landing. For me, it's more about the museum than the location. If the museum has interesting exhibits and does things well, I'll give them some latitude as to where they put it.
Where will this museum be going? Is this the same 10,000 square feet Peterbrooke was supposed to take last Summer?
Any development is good development, especially in these times. The landing has always had an identity problem. The landing does have a spectacular view and is a good place to corral people for a party, especially during the FL/GA game. I am looking forward to the future of bay street and the other new bars popping up around downtown. The renovation and adaptive reuse of downtown structures is an important step in the right direction. Let's celebrate.
A museum in the OLD library building would be interesting and maybe more apropos.
I, too, think (1) Jax needs an exhibition more focused on Jax, especially more adult oriented in-depth historical accounts (we have covered this before on MJ) and (2) that this effort could possibly be better attained by combining resources with MOSH, maybe in conjunction also with the archives/research desk of the Jax public library. Maybe MOSH could operate a Jax museum downtown as a branch of its main facility.
If things pick up again anytime at the Landing you can expect this new museum will be looking for a new space. The article says they are there because they got a great deal. Sleiman isn't going to let them keep a "great deal" for long after he realizes he can get a better "great deal" for himself. I am sure he has a quick out as soon as things get better. So, the concerns here will be self correcting pretty quickly.
Quote from: stjr on March 27, 2010, 11:25:43 PM
I, too, think (1) Jax needs an exhibition more focused on Jax, especially more adult oriented in-depth historical accounts (we have covered this before on MJ) and (2) that this effort could possibly be better attained by combining resources with MOSH, maybe in conjunction also with the archives/research desk of the Jax public library. Maybe MOSH could operate a Jax museum downtown as a branch of its main facility.
I agree. I've been thinking that it would be good for the museums, or an outside group, to get together, pool resources and focus on Jax. The new bike tours could be a part of that, along with MOSH, the Maritime Museum, the local preservation societies, etc. There's so much rich history in this city, it's borderline inexcusable that so much of it isn't known. It really bugs me that there are so many tours in St. Augustine compared to Jax. Given all the history here, it seems like an enjoyable, informative tour/museum would do well with locals, draw in some tourists and increase civic pride.
Quote from: 9a is my backyard on March 28, 2010, 12:04:49 AM
Quote from: stjr on March 27, 2010, 11:25:43 PM
I, too, think (1) Jax needs an exhibition more focused on Jax, especially more adult oriented in-depth historical accounts (we have covered this before on MJ) and (2) that this effort could possibly be better attained by combining resources with MOSH, maybe in conjunction also with the archives/research desk of the Jax public library. Maybe MOSH could operate a Jax museum downtown as a branch of its main facility.
I agree. I've been thinking that it would be good for the museums, or an outside group, to get together, pool resources and focus on Jax. The new bike tours could be a part of that, along with MOSH, the Maritime Museum, the local preservation societies, etc. There's so much rich history in this city, it's borderline inexcusable that so much of it isn't known. It really bugs me that there are so many tours in St. Augustine compared to Jax. Given all the history here, it seems like an enjoyable, informative tour/museum would do well with locals, draw in some tourists and increase civic pride.
i feel that if handled right this could be an significant draw and resource for the downtown, exploring local history and then pushing that interested traffic into the nearby business which could aid in building a vibrant new future for all the businesses in the downtown area.
This could be very interesting. An exhibit could be designed to high light each of the historic districts history as well as artifacts found in the area. I have quite a few I would be willing to loan them. Also they could point out the quality of materials used in historic homes.
If the Landing tries to be too many things to too many people, it will lose its original focus, which was retail. It makes more $$$ as a retail destination, look at all the shop centers that were setup to focus on "Ghost Tours", or "african-american exhibits", they all went bust there, and so will this "museum".
If you really want to drive people into a museum mode, why not look to use the Snyder Church, which is tied to the historical tours of City Hall? You have Chamblin's bookstore close, as well as MOCA and could really turn that area into more of a historical area.
No one knows if the old library will ever open up, so scratch that as it sits empty. I go to the Landing for the restaurants, just like I go to MOSH for the history. Would I ever go to MOSH for lunch? Of course not, so don't ruin the Landing and turn it into something its not.
most of the Landing's true retail has closed...and they are using those spaces as art galleries and a naval musum store.
If I remember correctly there was an antique store at the landing several years ago. If there was a museum it could bring in that kind of retail. BTW The toy store would already fit in.
QuoteThe landing does have a spectacular view and is a good place to corral people for a party, especially during the FL/GA game.
How about virtually every Friday night? Was down there this past Friday... Jam packed. Every restaurant was full... some with lines. Huge crowd in the courtyard... thousands were having a good time...
Is there a sports memorabilia shop at the landing?
I think the Landing needs a large national retail anchor if it is to return to health. As with all malls, the anchor would be incentivized with low rents in return for generating foot traffic for the the smaller tenants (who pay higher rents). I don't think a traditional anchor (e.g., Dillards) would suffice. Perhaps something with a sense of place and/or an entertainment component (e.g., IMAX). A (perhaps unfair) comparison is Channelside in Tampa (www.channelsidebayplaza.com (http://www.channelsidebayplaza.com)), which like the the Landing is on the water, but unlike the Landing has an aquarium, IMAX, bowling alley, restaurants, cruise terminal, etc. Until a large tenant/attraction comes to the Landing, I think they're forced to sign a few leases with places like museums and art galleries. The "mall" concept (and I realize the Landing is not a typical mall) works best with large anchors. Would you go to the mall just to get a coke at the food court? No. But, you'd get a coke at the food court (and probably a few other things) because you went to Dillards (or whatever). I'm sure there's a bevy of other issues (parking, lack of nearby residents, and so on), but hopefully one day the Landing will attract an exciting, big tenant...after which I bet others will follow.
Please forgive me if I'm beating a dead horse on some of these topics...I'm a newbie:)
You can't land a major anchor without guaranteed parking for that tenant. Sooner or later, Jacksonville will have to alleviate this situation if it ever wants the Landing to truly succeed.
Agreed
QuoteIs there a sports memorabilia shop at the landing?
Yes - I believe that Sports Mania is still there with an emphasis on all things football.
Quote from: St. Auggie on March 27, 2010, 03:13:06 PM
Quote from: blizz01 on March 27, 2010, 01:50:07 PM
Just wondering, isn't this already cared for across the river at MOSH? I believe that the "Currents of Time" exhibit utilizes about the same amount of space with a like objective. I wonder how unlike that it could be, really.
I second this thought.
I also wonder whether the St. Luke's Hospital/adjacent casket factory project the Historical Society is undertaking* would make this further redundant.
* Yes, I wanted to use the term "undertaking" considering that a casket factory is involved. It's tax season and I'm punchy.
Quote from: thelakelander on March 28, 2010, 03:36:02 PM
You can't land a major anchor without guaranteed parking for that tenant. Sooner or later, Jacksonville will have to alleviate this situation if it ever wants the Landing to truly succeed.
and that, as they say, is that