Recent posts

#11

Downtown / Re: Ambassador Hotel Nears Fin...

Last post by jaxjags - Yesterday at 10:58:17 AM

My biggest like is the change in the garage exterior to match the hotel. Looks like one of the nicest garages in DT if there can be such a thing.

#12

Downtown / Re: Ambassador Hotel Nears Fin...

Last post by Ken_FSU - Yesterday at 12:07:27 AM

Love it! One of my favorite buildings downtown. Big fan of the exterior space.

#13

Downtown / Ambassador Hotel Nears Final D...

Last post by thelakelander - April 02, 2026, 11:25:47 PM

The next chapter of downtown's architectural history is beginning to take shape as plans advance for the transformation of the historic Ambassador Hotel. Gateway Jax acquired the property in March 2025 for $17 million and plans to redevelop it into a 105-key hotel featuring a high-end restaurant and bar, conference space, and additional amenities. The project is scheduled to seek final approval from the Downtown Development Review Board on April 9, 2026. Here's a closer look at the adaptive reuse plans for this landmark property. Let us know what you think!

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/ambassador-hotel-nears-final-ddrb-approval/

#14

Science and Technology / Re: Wordle?

Last post by jaxlongtimer - April 02, 2026, 10:50:40 PM

Wordle 1,748 4/6

⬜⬜🟨🟩🟩
🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Connections
Puzzle #1026
🟩🟩🟪🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Strands #760
"On track"
🟡🔵🔵🔵
🔵🔵🔵

Pips #228 Easy 🟢
0:18 🍪
Pips #228 Medium 🟡
1:52
Pips #228 Hard 🔴
9:09

🙂 Daily Quordle 1529 - Total = 25
5️⃣7️⃣
4️⃣9️⃣
m-w.com/games/quordle/

#15

Downtown / Re: New Ford on Bay RFP

Last post by thelakelander - April 02, 2026, 09:14:42 PM

Hold up—wasn't the original plan for the jail a true PPP where the private sector builds it and the city leases with a buyout option? That structure would actually make sense- as it gives them the room to build a convention center while pushing jail finances down the road. What happened to that framework?

There's never been an official plan for a new convention center or a method to finance its construction. It something this town has talked about as far back as the Delaney administration two decades ago. It may take a decade to resolve the jail issue alone, much less figure out how to finance what comes to that property next.

#16

Downtown / Re: New Ford on Bay RFP

Last post by fsu813 - April 02, 2026, 09:05:13 PM

On another note, I'm genuinely concerned about what it signals that we only got one proposal for this kind of work.

...

We should be getting significantly better terms on iconic downtown riverfront parcels. Full stop.

The criteria of the RFP was likely determined by the proposed project, not the other way around.

...

"Should"? The market speaks. It's very difficult to get the appropriate financing/ROI for large, quality projects in many parts of Jax, including the Northbank of Downtown, without some form of incentives filling that gap. Of note: everything is more expensive than it was a few years ago, including building large projects.

#17

Downtown / Re: New Ford on Bay RFP

Last post by MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain - April 02, 2026, 08:05:09 PM

Hold up—wasn't the original plan for the jail a true PPP where the private sector builds it and the city leases with a buyout option? That structure would actually make sense- as it gives them the room to build a convention center while pushing jail finances down the road. What happened to that framework?

On another note, I'm genuinely concerned about what it signals that we only got one proposal for this kind of work. Is Jacksonville really that far off the radar for national developers? I get that we're not New York or Chicago, but this isn't some obscure municipal services contract. If this was Tampa, Nashville, Charlotte, Denver, or Austin putting out similar RFPs, you'd have 3-4 serious bidders competing against each other just for the privilege of working on prime real estate. That's the heat we should be chasing.

When are we actually going to see developers actively bidding against themselves to land pieces of Jacksonville's best real estate? That's the inflection point we need.
On the design side—I'll admit it looks solid. But the financing structure is what concerns me. It feels like the city is getting fleeced on one of the last truly valuable riverfront parcels. Meanwhile, you've got a developer (Corner Lot) trying to land prime real estate for free while racking up massive incentives on 0.8 acres? That's a bad optics problem, not to mention a fiscal one.

We should be getting significantly better terms on iconic downtown riverfront parcels. Full stop.

#18

Downtown / Re: New Ford on Bay RFP

Last post by thelakelander - April 02, 2026, 07:00:39 PM

^The Jags have said nothing in years about there being a convention center at the stadium. By the time this city gets around to building a real convention center, we'll all be dead. May as well put a box up at the Hyatt because it will fill the need for another +30 years.

#19

Politics / Re: Trump Presidency #2

Last post by BridgeTroll - April 02, 2026, 06:04:36 PM

He started a war to distract from Epstein... then focuses everyone's attention right back on it. Just a FYI... he cannot leave NATO without congressional approval...

#20

Downtown / Re: New Ford on Bay RFP

Last post by jaxlongtimer - April 02, 2026, 05:42:29 PM

I still think Shad has a dream of hosting the convention center near the stadium.  Buying the fair grounds, developing the 4 seasons, supporting the MOSH move, upgrading the stadium, throwing dollars at Eastside upgrades, planning still for an entertainment complex... all ingredients for building a case for hosting a convention center in that area.

The more likely scenario at this point is the current jail site. After we find $500+ million to move it, then we can look for the $500+ million for a convention center.

Good thing UF won't be doing much to the Prime Osborn for at least 5 years

If the City goes with Shad, no pressure anytime soon to move the jail for $500 million to a billion to get the convention center done.  When money is tight, politicos love to kick the can down the road and the jail is a great project for doing so.  Unless a court order requires it  .