Barnett/Laura Trio Redevelopment to be announced

[Coolyfett]

There needs to be a Skyway station at Laura and Forsyth.

[fsujax]

^^not ever going to happen.

[billy]

Come over here Jason...  closer.....(smacking noise)
.Many hotels have a separate ownership group, and an operating agreement with a brand or company
I was curious if these guys ran their own deal.

[Kay]

There needs to be a Skyway station at Laura and Forsyth.

I have to say I hate the skyway because it makes downtown feel like Gothan City on Hogan St.  Besides the Hogan and Monroe stop is close to Laura and Forsyth.

[Coolyfett]

There is a Shula's at the Sheraton on Deerwood Park Blvd.  I've driven past it a few times and it doesn't look very busy.  So there will be the Bank Hotel and Bank Steak House as part of this development?

Well they are both Bank Buildings with vaults and all.

But I think in the Brochure its just a generic name until the decide on the Franchise.

The vaults are still there?

[thelakelander]

Yes, the vaults are still there.  Btw, no need for another skyway station.  The Hogan Street station is a two block walk away from this proposed development.

[danno]

I worked in the basement and vault area back in the day for Barnett.  There were a lot of interesting nooks and cranies down there.

[Coolyfett]

Instead of the 'Bank Hotel', I would call it the Barnett Hotel.  That makes it more historically unique and authentic, IMO. Likewise, instead of 'Bank SteakHouse', why not 'Marble Steak House'.

This is great news of course, but I have learned not to get my hopes up.

I think many of us have. Id like to see it happen for the sake of growth and progress for downtown Jax....but like many other things reported...they never come to light.

[JeffreyS]

I like the way the name is listed "the Bank Hotel" in the Barnett Building.  I also like "the Barnett". However if they want to call it "the generic" I would be fine with that too.

[fsujax]

I believe the operating group is affiliated with Marriott.

[TheProfessor]

I'm sure the names will change depending on what brand of restaurant and hotel they bring in.

[Coolyfett]

I don't want to ruin everyone else's fun but want us to keep our grain of salt close by.  Imagine how many times that my hopes have been raised for something good to happen in our city only to become disappointed by the same G.O.B. shenanigans.  I will raise my glass when the project is complete : )

That guys wise!

Ewoks

[Joe]

Has anyone discussed why the hotel "context" graphic highlights the surface parking lot on Forsyth? I wasn't aware that it was owned by the city, but they labeled it "city surface parking."

Are they planning to lease these surface spaces for hotel parking?

[Coolyfett]

We are going to get a hardhat tour of the buildings next week with Steve Atkins.  Lots of photos will ensue.  I know Ock has real hopes of getting underneath the Kluthos to search for the long lost tunnels of Klutho.

Steve Lovett says that the underground vault and the old safety deposit boxes are a pretty interesting site.  Im looking forward to seeing some photos of that.

If you see that ghost librarian from the Ghostbusters movie will you take a pic for us stephan?

[thelakelander]

Joe, that lot is owned by the city, courtesy of Humana bailing DT.  I noticed it was highlighted to but I'm not sure if its a part of the pending deal or not.