Re-Envisioning Shipyards/Convention center

[JaxNative68]

There's nothing worth preserving about the existing courthouse and most of the site is a surface parking lot.  On the other hand, if you build a convention center at the Shipyards, other then being on the riverfront, it still fails because there is no attached hotel similar in size to the Hyatt.

I personally think the red brick high-rise building on the corner of Bay and Newman is worth saving.  And I have a feeling with it's adjacency to the Hyatt, with the way this city master plans; it will get leveled if a convention center gets built in this area.  I'm kind of surprised with all the griping that goes on this site about the loss of any building downtown, that you would now be for demolition for new construction.

I think a convention center done right should have its own hotel, similar to the one on Hutchinson Island across the river from Savannah.  Then you could extend your trolley from the old convention center converted back into a train station all the way down to the sports/convention center complex.  I seems to justify the trolley more this way.

[JaxNative68]

Don't forget that Hyatt has some existing space on the second floor.  If desired, the existing Hyatt's meeting space could be incorporated into a new complex.  It all really depends on how much space you actually want.

don't forget the Hyatt is a dump of a hotel that is cheaply built!

[thelakelander]

I'm kind of surprised with all the griping that goes on this site about the loss of any building downtown, that you would now be for demolition for new construction.

I have always tried to look at the bigger picture.  With that said, I do believe the courthouse building is not worth preserving over better utilizing the site as a convention center.

I personally think the red brick high-rise building on the corner of Bay and Newman is worth saving.  And I have a feeling with it's adjacency to the Hyatt, with the way this city master plans; it will get leveled if a convention center gets built in this area.

The way I see it, the entire convention center (for what we need now and for the next 20-30 years or so) could be built on the site bounded by Bay, Liberty, the river and Market St.  With that said, I can see city hall annex coming down as well but if deemed worth preserving, it probably could be worked into plans for a new center.    

I think a convention center done right should have its own hotel, similar to the one on Hutchinson Island across the river from Savannah.

I agree.  Unfortunately, we already have a convention center hotel DT in the Hyatt and an entertainment district in Bay Street that we have already subsidized.  A center at any other site will require us to subsidize more private development that the market can't support to compete against the places we've already spent public money on to get them downtown.

[tufsu1]

don't forget the Hyatt is a dump of a hotel that is cheaply built!

why do you say that?

[thelakelander]

Don't forget that Hyatt has some existing space on the second floor.  If desired, the existing Hyatt's meeting space could be incorporated into a new complex.  It all really depends on how much space you actually want.

don't forget the Hyatt is a dump of a hotel that is cheaply built!

The exterior design style may not be worthy but it is anything but cheap.  Structurally, its not going to fall apart anytime soon.

[JaxNative68]

don't forget the Hyatt is a dump of a hotel that is cheaply built!

why do you say that?

Have you looked closely at the materials, fixtures and furniture in that place?  Low budget and horrible craftsmanship, the whole building looks of fast-track developer bottom line construction.

[thelakelander]

Those are cosmetic features.  My guess is structurally its pretty sound.  Given that it was built basically in the river, I imagine the pilings driven to support it go pretty deep.

[JaxNative68]

you can't see the structure.  what do you think the majority of people who book hotels look at?  the cosmetic features, which enhance your experience and add to the aura around you.  the hyatt is very lacking in this department.  I'm sorry, but every time I have had to go to that hotel for functions, it depresses me that this building has a major impact on what out of towners get as an impression of what Jax thinks is a nice hotel.

[thelakelander]

My point is, cosmetic appearances are not enough to subsidize and build another competing hotel that the market can't support.  If cosmetics are a concern, they can be upgraded without rebuilding the structure.

[CS Foltz]

Ok............I stand corrected.........11E renters only! Not sure what was done inside and not sure about "Starbucks".........last time I was inside it.......bldg had power, but elevators did not work! Cell sites on the roof were running on commercial power, had no generator backup! Not sure just what was done as far as a refubishment for the Bldg other than paint and carpet past that I can not say!

[JaxNative68]

is the city going to pay for these upgrades when they build the convention center.  i sure hope not.  and i seriously do not see teh hyatt paying for them either.  as the hyatt sits today, it is not to the standards of a true convention center hotel.

by the way, i never said anything about rebuilding the structure of the hyatt.  just that it needs a complete overhaul if it is going to be the cornerstone of a new convention center.

[tufsu1]

Ok............I stand corrected.........11E renters only! Not sure what was done inside and not sure about "Starbucks".........last time I was inside it.......bldg had power, but elevators did not work! Cell sites on the roof were running on commercial power, had no generator backup! Not sure just what was done as far as a refubishment for the Bldg other than paint and carpet past that I can not say!

when was that...2005?

[tufsu1]

you can't see the structure.  what do you think the majority of people who book hotels look at?  the cosmetic features, which enhance your experience and add to the aura around you.  the hyatt is very lacking in this department.  I'm sorry, but every time I have had to go to that hotel for functions, it depresses me that this building has a major impact on what out of towners get as an impression of what Jax thinks is a nice hotel.

have you been recently?

Hyatt has done quite a bit upgrading the cosmetic features from what the Adam's Mark has.

[thelakelander]

Put a decent sized convention center next door and we're not going to lose conventions because the Hyatt's exterior doesn't look architecturally stunning.  All we really need is a convention center placed in a location where the support services are adjacent and within easy walking distance.  Personally, I would not touch the Hyatt or put one more red cent in it.  Imo,future convention center money should be spent on the convention center.  

[JaxNative68]

tufsu1: I can't recall how recently.  Hopefully you are correct and it was when it was still and Adam's Mark (but I'm not holding my breath).  Next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll peek inside and report back to this thread.

lake: if the new convention was anything like the one in Savannah, and being located adjacent to the sports complex, and connected through DT with a street car back to the old train station, where a connection to a high speed rail could be made to the rest of the eastern seaboard, a majority of the hotel chains would jump at the chance to build a new hotel . . . wow, my head is in the clouds . . . nevermind.  I can still dream . . .