New entertainment complex slated at St. Johns Town Center

KenFSU · December 19, 2009, 01:36:29 PM

Good for Jacksonville, especially with economic conditions that don't necessarily make developers jump at the idea of such a thing. Much like the Town Center, I think this will be a huge success. To echo what others have said, fix the Landing and make it a true destination worthy of its prime location and existing infrastructure before you even think of looking for a way to open a competing complex. I also disagree with the sentiment that the Town Center is for UNF students and those afraid to go downtown. Though prefab and not downtown, it's easily the best thing that's happened to Jacksonville since I moved here in 2001. Spending a full day shopping there at great stores new to the Jacksonville market, reading at Barnes N' Noble, having dinner with friends, and then grabbing some Mochi to end the evening has nothing to do with being terrified of entering the core. It's easy to blame downtown's tragic failures on the soft, helpless suburbanites, but ultimately, it just deflects attention away from the true reasons the core continues to underachieve.

vicupstate · December 19, 2009, 02:11:25 PM

Quote from: fsu813 on December 19, 2009, 01:24:03 PM
vicupstate,

the article said they are building on 50 acres. i'm sure they could do with less, but that what it said.

My point is/was they only NEED 5 acres. In other words, this could EASILY have gone DT in and/or near the Landing. This complex does not require 50 acres in an urban design.

vicupstate · December 19, 2009, 02:36:06 PM

thelakelander · December 19, 2009, 04:14:15 PM

I think the TU article may be incorrect. I drove through SJTC to see the site earlier today. There is no construction on the east side of the shopping complex. However, the Markets at Town Center strip that opened last year, claims the bars in this article will be located there. They have coming soon signs for both Whisky River and Black Finn. Their website also has these bars indicated on their updated site plan along with a Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

see here: http://www.marketsattowncenter.com/index.php/Leasing-Info.html

This existing shopping center is also 350,000 square feet on 52 acres. Considering this thing is supposed to open in the Spring, there would be no way if buildings did not already exist.

So it appears, that the empty portion of the existing Markets at Town Center strip mall (west of SJTC) will become "The Plaza at SJTC". Here are a few images (taken last year) of the retail spaces I'm assuming these places will be going into.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-apr-suburban-walkability-markets-at-town-center

coredumped · December 19, 2009, 10:10:03 PM

UNF students either go to the beach or 1 of the bars downtown (landing/bay street) to party. If you want proof of this, go to any of those destinations after graduation. This might take away from either of those. I wonder what they'll do about parking:)

thelakelander · December 19, 2009, 10:12:21 PM

Parking should not be an issue. There's a ton of asphalt at SJTC and when this place fills up at night, most of the retail stores will be closed.

AntigoneStarr · January 12, 2010, 05:29:00 AM

Great... more corporate owned chain nonsense in a town that should try building up instead of out.

Looks quite dull to me. And Downtown Disney is taller. Ugh. -.-

copperfiend · January 12, 2010, 07:51:18 AM

Quote from: vicupstate on December 19, 2009, 02:11:25 PM
Quote from: fsu813 on December 19, 2009, 01:24:03 PM
vicupstate,

the article said they are building on 50 acres. i'm sure they could do with less, but that what it said.

My point is/was they only NEED 5 acres. In other words, this could EASILY have gone DT in and/or near the Landing. This complex does not require 50 acres in an urban design.

It was built where it was built because of the median income in the area. It was a smart idea based on how busy they are.