Landing Starbucks to Close

[KenFSU]

The Northbank has been in decline ever since the super bowl circus on Bay Street packed up and left.

Was just thinking about this earlier today. It's ironic that the Superbowl was supposed to inject all of this new life into our downtown in the years after the game, but in reality, I think we've taken a lot of steps back since then. Make no mistake about this, this closing is big. Not for the fact that the Landing is losing a coffee shop, but for what it represents. It kind of feels like we're genuinely moving toward panic mode when it comes to downtown occupancy.

[copperfiend]

I remember going to downtown Baltimore in 2006 at the height of the boom. My wife and I were walking around thinking about how great it was that Jacksonville could soon have a core this vibrant.

Fast forward five years and we haven't taken two steps back. It feels like we've taken two hundred steps back.

[ac]

Was just thinking about this earlier today. It's ironic that the Superbowl was supposed to inject all of this new life into our downtown in the years after the game, but in reality, I think we've taken a lot of steps back since then. Make no mistake about this, this closing is big. Not for the fact that the Landing is losing a coffee shop, but for what it represents. It kind of feels like we're genuinely moving toward panic mode when it comes to downtown occupancy.

CoJ expected the game to be a catalyst that required no further participation or cooperation on their part.  It was a mistake to think we could just go back to business as usual (or in some cases make things tougher) after that one week and expect anything to change.

[Bativac]

There's no such thing as remaining status quo.  When you go stagnant, you decline.  The Northbank has been in decline ever since the super bowl circus on Bay Street packed up and left.  This trend won't change until the walkable core becomes a top public priority with the city.

Im not sure that in can at this point. I mean, look how outta control our city boundaries have gotten. For the love of God, Baldwin is considered to be in "the city of Jacksonville". Baldwin! What is even the purpose of that?? Its insane.

Point being, there's simply no reason why most the population in this kind of mess would even want to go downtown. For one thing, its a commute (thanks to our gigantic land mass). And what's there for them that they couldn't get in the suburbs??

There's maybe one or two reason why most people in this place would consider even going downtown I've noticed. A football game, a "one time" even like to watch fireworks, or to go to their office (which is becoming less & less likely these days).

Not that I care about Starbucks, I think they're terrible. But this isn't really about them specifically. It's kind of what they represent.

I agree with you about Starbucks - I don't particularly like their coffee, but having a Starbucks downtown (and at the Landing) gave the area the feel of an "actual" downtown.

I think it's time to stick a fork in downtown. It's done. Pull it out of the proverbial oven and dump it in the trash. Let's start fresh. Speaking of downtown and broken dreams, whatever happened to that Laura St Trio project?

[copperfiend]

Speaking of downtown and broken dreams, whatever happened to that Laura St Trio project?

{crickets}

What about the old library?

[cline]

Downtown is toast.  Southside/Tinsletown/Town Center is the new downtown.  At least that's what 95% of the population thinks.

[thelakelander]

Was just thinking about this earlier today. It's ironic that the Superbowl was supposed to inject all of this new life into our downtown in the years after the game, but in reality, I think we've taken a lot of steps back since then. Make no mistake about this, this closing is big. Not for the fact that the Landing is losing a coffee shop, but for what it represents. It kind of feels like we're genuinely moving toward panic mode when it comes to downtown occupancy.

CoJ expected the game to be a catalyst that required no further participation or cooperation on their part.  It was a mistake to think we could just go back to business as usual (or in some cases make things tougher) after that one week and expect anything to change.

We missed the boat on the Super Bowl completely.  You're supposed to take advantage of major events like that to push legacy projects through that last long after the festivities end.  In Salt Lake City and Houston, that meant riding the momentum to implement starter light rail systems.  In Detroit, it meant creating a major public space like Campus Martius Park.  Thus, when the game left, these downtown and urban core projects were left in place to stimulate additional redevelopment, infill and activity.  If I remember correctly, we used the momentum to light bridges, plant some palms on our interstates and repave several existing streets.  While nice, when maintained, those aren't the types of public projects that keep on giving.

[Jdog]

Addeco Group is officially out of downtown within the next few days.  We could turn the entire downtown into a community garden.  



http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533174

[thelakelander]

Downtown is toast.  Southside/Tinsletown/Town Center is the new downtown.  

That area is no more of a downtown than Blanding, Pinellas County's US 19 corridor, Broward County's Sawgrass Mills area or Miami-Dade's Dadeland area and never will be.  If we want DT to be a vibrant place, we need to get the basics right.  That means overcoming political stalemates between city government and downtown business owners (ex. the Landing).  That also means revising public policy to level the playing field (ex. it may be Philly-style tax abatement time).

[finehoe]

Make no mistake about this, this closing is big. Not for the fact that the Landing is losing a coffee shop, but for what it represents. It kind of feels like we're genuinely moving toward panic mode when it comes to downtown occupancy.

Absolutely.  After hearing this, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Landing close down completely within a year.

[finehoe]

That also means revising public policy to level the playing field

Unfortunately, the city leadership takes this literally...they think the answer is to level everything downtown.

[thelakelander]

March 22nd, is the best opportunity to change that line of thinking.

[fieldafm]

We missed the boat on the Super Bowl completely.  You're supposed to take advantage of major events like that to push legacy projects through that last long after the festivities end.  In Salt Lake City and Houston, that meant riding the momentum to implement starter light rail systems.  In Detroit, it meant creating a major public space like Campus Martius Park.  Thus, when the game left, these downtown and urban core projects were left in place to stimulate additional redevelopment, infill and activity.  If I remember correctly, we used the momentum to light bridges, plant some palms on our interstates and repave several existing streets.  While nice, when maintained, those aren't the types of public projects that keep on giving.

Remember Lake's words very clearly when you vote!!!  

IMHO, if we had Matt Carlucci instead of John Peyton as a mayor during our Super Bowl moment in the sun... we would have seized the moment and achieved a catalyst of urbanization in our city.  Instead, Peyton sat on his hands and opted to look good in front of the cameras of the national media.

Leadership and vision have been lacking for far too long.

Vote for a leader who has a clear vision of this city and can inspire and engage others to achieve that vision.

I truly believe that candidate is Audrey Moran.

[cline]

Downtown is toast.  Southside/Tinsletown/Town Center is the new downtown.  

That area is no more of a downtown than Blanding, Pinellas County's US 19 corridor, Broward County's Sawgrass Mills area or Miami-Dade's Dadeland area and never will be.  If we want DT to be a vibrant place, we need to get the basics right.  That means overcoming political stalemates between city government and downtown business owners (ex. the Landing).  That also means revising public policy to level the playing field (ex. it may be Philly-style tax abatement time).

I agree with you.  I said that tongue in cheek.  But I feel the problem is:  1.  Many citizens of Jax probably have no idea what a real downtown looks like.  Most probably haven't even been to our downtown in years and 2. these same people don't realize the importance of having a vibrant and successful downtown.  This line of thinking transfers into our politicians (i.e. city council and mayor).  Hopefully that will change with the upcoming election. 

[fieldafm]

Make no mistake about this, this closing is big. Not for the fact that the Landing is losing a coffee shop, but for what it represents. It kind of feels like we're genuinely moving toward panic mode when it comes to downtown occupancy.

Absolutely.  After hearing this, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the Landing close down completely within a year.

Several Landing restaurants do quite well.  Check out the Landing tonight, it will be packed.  It is still by far the center of activity in our downtown core.  Starbucks is not closing due to a lack of sales, just consolidating and tightening belts in areas where they do not forecast growth.