Carter envisions entertainment park at Shipyards Downtown

[aaapolito]

http://jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=530697

[copperfiend]

Interesting.

[Cliffs_Daughter]

I like the idea.
And tell him to bring some miniature golf too.

[thelakelander]

I'm not crazy about the long term success of one trick pony style development at the Shipyards.  However, I would like to here more about how such a development would connect and integrate with the rest of the core.

[copperfiend]

You could make it similar to the Navy Pier in Chicago.

[Tripoli1711]

I don't particularly care for it either.  If downtown ever really took off, that land would be much much more valuable and better served for mixed-use development such as what was planned previously.

[Captain Zissou]

I agree with Tripoli.  This is gimmicky and nothing more than an upgraded Metpark.  I spent a few days in downtown San Diego last year and not once did anyone recommend i go see the Wave house.  They recommended the Gas Lamp district, the aircraft carrier, and other attractions.  We need to focus more on these types of things than some tourist trap.

[hanjin1]

i think it would be pretty cool to have. i would like mixed use development as well, but like the previous poster said that downtown would have to take off first for this to happen. i think this would help to make downtown a destination. a place to go after a football or baseball game to play around and eat. i think this would do good and then maybe it will help spur on development

[thelakelander]

Are there any examples of what's described successfully operating in a downtown environment like DT Jax?  My guess is that such a project would cost millions to construct and fail before stimulating additional development.  We ought to think about adding the necessary components to make DT a sustainable neighborhood before figuring out how to lure suburbanites there for a few hours of fun.  The Landing, Southbank Riverwalk and Prime Osborn gives us a glimpse into the future of how such an isolated project would turn out.

[Jason]

^ I agree 100%.  No need for amusement park rides on our city owned riverfront.  We've all seen what has become of city managed property development.... NOTHING!

[Wacca Pilatka]

Are there any examples of what's described successfully operating in a downtown environment like DT Jax?  My guess is that such a project would cost millions to construct and fail before stimulating additional development.  We ought to think about adding the necessary components to make DT a sustainable neighborhood before figuring out how to lure suburbanites there for a few hours of fun.  The Landing, Southbank Riverwalk and Prime Osborn gives us a glimpse into the future of how such an isolated project would turn out.

I don't know much about it, but would Elitch's Gardens in Denver make for a good parallel?  I realize that's not waterfront, not in the heart of downtown, and is a larger-scale development.

[thelakelander]

Urban Denver is a different animal.  The basic components needed for a viable urban community are already in place. 

[aaapolito]

Urban Denver is a different animal.  The basic components needed for a viable urban community are already in place. 

Chelsea Piers, NYC (http://www.chelseapiers.com/)

[avonjax]

Waste of waterfront land, in my opinion.

[fieldafm]

Are there any examples of what's described successfully operating in a downtown environment like DT Jax?  My guess is that such a project would cost millions to construct and fail before stimulating additional development.  We ought to think about adding the necessary components to make DT a sustainable neighborhood before figuring out how to lure suburbanites there for a few hours of fun.  The Landing, Southbank Riverwalk and Prime Osborn gives us a glimpse into the future of how such an isolated project would turn out.

Subtropical Expo?
Just to play devils advocate a bit.  I think an amusement park on this site could be viable if done right... kind of like Jax's version of the Santa Monica pier.  The fair brings people out in droves downtown(and they are rumored to be relocating to the Equestrian Center if the city has its way), why couldnt an atraction like this not work as well if paired with restaurants and commercial infill?

Anyone know why the old amusement park in Jax Beach closed?  I always surmised it was due to the property value of the beachfront property.