New museum / attraction to open at the Landing?

[9a is my backyard]

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.

[thelakelander]

Where will this museum be going?  Is this the same 10,000 square feet Peterbrooke was supposed to take last Summer?

[TheProfessor]

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.

[stjr]

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.

[9a is my backyard]

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.

[devlinmann]

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.

[samiam]

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.

[mtraininjax]

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.

[tufsu1]

most of the Landing's true retail has closed...and they are using those spaces as art galleries and a naval musum store.

[samiam]

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.

[BridgeTroll]

The 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...

[samiam]

Is there a sports memorabilia shop at the landing?

[longhaul]

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), 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:)

[thelakelander]

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.

[longhaul]

Agreed