Plans scrapped for $500,000 lounge at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

[fieldafm]

Usually, most of the major events have a full lineup of their concession stands... most of the big concerts, the NCAA Bball tourney, and the Sharks game have a full lineup.
They definately don't have but two concession stands opened up for the JU games and other smaller shows b/c demand is not there.

I'm curious, what big events have you been to where a full concession stand lineup was not opened?  I really am curious b/c my experience has been the opposite and I'm prolly at the arena for a good 15-16 events a year.

[duvaldude08]

Usually, most of the major events have a full lineup of their concession stands... most of the big concerts, the NCAA Bball tourney, and the Sharks game have a full lineup.
They definately don't have but two concession stands opened up for the JU games and other smaller shows b/c demand is not there.

I'm curious, what big events have you been to where a full concession stand lineup was not opened?  I really am curious b/c my experience has been the opposite and I'm prolly at the arena for a good 15-16 events a year.

The only thing I was refering to was alcohol. I know for the NCAA games it was that jacksonville did a job hosting, but they were concerned that it didnt sell out and people were complaining about having to walk across to the baseball park to get alcohol. A bar/lounge would atleast solve that issue.

[fieldafm]

The only thing I was refering to was alcohol. I know for the NCAA games it was that jacksonville did a job hosting, but they were concerned that it didnt sell out and people were complaining about having to walk across to the baseball park to get alcohol. A bar/lounge would atleast solve that issue.

Not selling beer in the Vet during the NCAA tourney was an NCAA requirement.  It had nothing to do with JU Athletic Dept(who actually hosted the event), SMG, et al.  Same deal when the ACC Baseball Tourney was at the Baseball Grounds, no alcohol sales are allowed per NCAA rules.

You can buy alcohol at JU basketball games though.

[aaapolito]

My issue is the funds were originally meant for the arena. We can use the 500k for a lounge that will generate revenue at the arena. Instead Peyton is talking about putting it towards the courthouse? The courthouse will no doubt go down in the history of this city as the biggest cluster-you know what.

I agree.  Was the arena under budget then?  If so, then of course they should get their own surplus money to build a bar. 

This is kind of an interesting contrast between a Delaney era project and a Peyton era project.  One is a great asset to the city and cost efficient, one is a blight on downtown and a money drainer.

While I must admit that I was not in Jacksonville for the start of the BJP and I that I do not necessarily agree with all of Mayor Peyton's decisions, I cannot fault Mayor Peyton completely for the courthouse.  Addititionally, I don't think it's fair to compare "projects" between the two administations because it's fairly obvious to all that Delaney chose all the "sexy" projects (i.e. arena, stadium, library) and left the "boring" project for Peyton(personally I don't find it boring because I will make sure of the building and believe that a courthouse is very important to the comminiuty  And, I don't doubt that people here disagree with the importance of the courhouse project, just the process of of getting it built).

[copperfiend]

Delaney got the library built before the courthouse because he didn't have librarians making demands of what needs to be in the library.

[tufsu1]

Delaney got the library built before the courthouse because he didn't have librarians making demands of what needs to be in the library.

not true at all

[CS Foltz]

Geez.........tufsu I never thought I would say this but, I have to agree with you on this one! By the way the voters approved $190 under the BJP for the courthouse, not the edifice we are currently building for who knows what the cost past $350 Million! This may have some bearing on why the City will be in the hole next Budget cycle for $58 Million! Unions may not be the whole issue or problem...........unconstrained City spending may have a bearing................but that's just me!

[JaxNative68]

There is no way the lounge would not have cost $500,000.  the plan is roughly around 2,000 square feet with only three walls, which are existing.  The project consisted of a bar, open seating area with only four flat screen tv's and new finishes.  That means the three sided box cost $250/sf.  Whoever priced this for the city is out of their mind!  My understanding of this project is the money was to come from the Better Jacksonville plan.  Peyton only wants to veto it for show, to try to make it look like he is looking out for the cities money, which is BS.  This project has a short payback timeframe, and then it is all profit from there.

What about the $300,000+ the mayor just approved for personal trainers for city employees?  This doesn't sound like a smart investment to me.  Where did this money come from.  And I don't believe it will have health care payback in the long run.

Peyton is full of S**T!  Can we impeach Napoleon now?

[tufsu1]

What about the $300,000+ the mayor just approved for personal trainers for city employees?  This doesn't sound like a smart investment to me.  Where did this money come from.  And I don't believe it will have health care payback in the long run.

actually, many companies are finding that wellness programs drastically reduce their healthcare costs...and employees are sick less often and more productive.