Downtown Dilemma on Urban Jacksonville Weekly Monday December 14th

[braeburn]

He's right though... there are only 2 maybe on that slide that make a difference as far as what the TU article is relating to....

[tufsu1]

why do you say that?

If we're talking about building a convention center and creating a loop that includes Laura Street, the Landing, and the Bay Street area then folks like Toney Sleiman, Terry Lorrince, Ron Barton, Bill Cesey, and Tony Allgretti are directly involved/impacted.

[braeburn]

why do you say that?

If we're talking about building a convention center and creating a loop that includes Laura Street, the Landing, and the Bay Street area then folks like Toney Sleiman, Terry Lorrince, Ron Barton, Bill Cesey, and Tony Allgretti are directly involved/impacted.

"Talking" is the key word here. I tend to agree with Stephen about the 2 or 3 people mentioned - that's nowhere near as important as the ones that were NOT mentioned and are actually "doing" as opposed to just "talking."

The TU article expressly talks about the future of Downtown, and many of these "people" along with their ideas aren't aimed at improving the city. They're more concerned with improving their pocket, so once an idea or development no longer is conducive to capitalizing on the misfortunes of the city, it slowly goes away and is never again mentioned.

[vicupstate]

Rood owns 11E. and The Carling, but has no ties that I know of to Berkman Plaza I or II, the Strand, the Peninsula, the numerous Cathedral rental properties, the Parks at the Cathedral, The Metropolitan, Ashley Tower, Knight Lofts, San Marco Place, Home Street Lofts, Churchwell Lofts, the perpetually under construction 20 W. Adams project, or the budding Ambassador Hotel project.  If I am overlooking/unaware of any such ties, please inform, otherwise he is NOT the ONLY owner of viable residential real estate DT.

Cesery owns a major residential project in San Marco, and built the first major new mixed-use project in Springfield since the first season of 'Lucy'.  Plus he is involved in the Old Library project. Sure it's on hold.  WHAT PROJECT ISN'T right now?! Banks aren't lending money. 

Allegretti is involved with Burrito Gallery, the Old Library, Urban Market and numerous Springfield projects in addition to being deeply involved from the beginning in BOTH the RAM and Artwalk.  He is involved with DVI too and easily belongs on the list.

I could discuss others, but that is all I have time for at the moment.  However, just because you disagree with someone's agenda or vision, doesn't mean that aren't a player (Blaylock, Diamond,etc.).  Also, Bailey WAS on the list as the next potential mayor.   

I do agree Carlton Jones probably doesn't belong on the list, at least not yet.

BTW, what are Steve Wallace's plans for FCCJ/Florida State, I have missed any public disclosure of that.   


   

[tufsu1]

I see that Stephen has chosen to delete his original post (which I and others reponded to) and replace it with one featuring a longer explanation....one in which he states trhat there are onlyu 1 or two useful names on the list....then provides three...nice!

[braeburn]

Are you kidding me? 11E and the Carling have really been the only viable residental choices unless you are super rich or completely off your rocker. Ashley Tower is now called City Place, btw. It's not "good enough" for out of towners. So yes, there is a residential "dilemma" downtown, like it or not.

Berkman Plaza I is going down the tubes, fast. Berkman II doesn't need any mention here. The other projects you've listed have been built purely around taking advantage of and capitalizing on markets long dead to fill someone's pocket before they moved on, without regard to the long term effects it would have on DT.

The Strand is 25% occupied. The Peninsula forced a handful of people to close on 2-3 year ago preconstruction prices, otherwise the buyers would have lost their 20% ($60-500k+) deposits. Many walked away or couldn't close.

[tufsu1]

really...one needs to be super-rich to buy a 1500+ sf townhome at the Parks @ cathedral...several are currently selling for less than $200,000?

[tufsu1]

Cesery, as you mentioned only owns one project in the downtown.  While a very serious and good man, hes just not a key player downtown, even if the Library Project were going full steam he still wouldnt be.

huh?

[vicupstate]

Speaking of Rood, I wish he would get the Barnett building.  It is in much better shape (gutted with new windows) than the 11E and especially the Carling were at the beginning of those projects. 

If the city would put in the garage, and give him a deal on spaces, he might go for it. I'd rather see that than a revamped Metro Park. It would do a lot more good.  Doing the Laura Trio project would make more sense if the Barnett was rehabbed too.

[thelakelander]

Spending money to revamp Metro Park should be put on ice.  There are a ton of urban core projects out there that will get the city more bang for its bucks.