The Laura Street Facade Grant Program

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Laura Street Facade Grant Program



In an effort to bring virbancy and life to the downtown core, Downtown Vision has recently announced a $100,000 matching facade grant program to encourage immediate private sector redevelopment along the Laura Street streetscape program currently under construction.  Today, Metro Jacksonville shares the details of this pilot program.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-mar-the-laura-street-facade-grant-program

[Captain Zissou]

I hope people take advantage of this program, as it is technically 'free' money.  The Landing should definitely jump on this.  This could help them to address the streets around the Landing better.  Especially if Hogan wins, I imagine one of the first things he will do is sell the Landing the land underneath it and give them their dedicated parking.  He owes it to Sleiman after all Sleiman did for his campaign. 

I also hope BOA, Modis, and Suntrust buildings will take advantage.  They need to address the street, and this could give them a needed boost to do that.  Ron Chamblin and Jerry Moran could also use this to spruce up what they have.  I hope Magnificat takes advantage, because I think that place looks like crap. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Jerry would use his money to install surveillance cameras and high powered water jets so he could sit in his office sipping a nice bordeaux and spraying unsuspecting panhandlers and homeless passer-bys.   

[wsansewjs]

They shouldn't just go "HAY EVERYONE, YES YOU BUSINESS IN LAURA DISTRICT. WE HAS FREEEEE MONEY. JUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND GO FIND SOMETHING TO MAKE IT PRETTY"

Instead of just throwing money out, they should actually consult with the businesses to SEE what are things they can pay to make Laura Street area pretty AND help the business at same time, therefore it would help the business grow, then they would generate enough revenue to reinvest back into the Laura Street area by adding MORE things like pretty glowing signs, jazz music performer on the street, etc etc.

This is going to fail miserably.

-Josh

[Captain Zissou]

^ Did you read the article Josh??

Building owners, or a majority tenant, must meet with DVI and a design consultant multiple times before they are given approval.  The types of the things that the grants will cover are fairly specific as well.  I thought they were almost too strict.  I think the regulations may prevent people from utilizing the free money.  I hope multiple business take advantage of what is being offered.

[finehoe]

Four words:  Too little, too late.

[wsansewjs]

^ Did you read the article Josh??

Building owners, or a majority tenant, must meet with DVI and a design consultant multiple times before they are given approval.  The types of the things that the grants will cover are fairly specific as well.  I thought they were almost too strict.  I think the regulations may prevent people from utilizing the free money.  I hope multiple business take advantage of what is being offered.

You have caught me. I did skim through the article. You actually got the point I was trying to get across is that the regulations on the grant is so strict and narrow. I was trying to being comical.

Credits goes to you and shame on me. +1

Also, why you deleted my photo, Lunican?

-Josh

[PeeJayEss]

They shouldn't just go "HAY EVERYONE, YES YOU BUSINESS IN LAURA DISTRICT. WE HAS FREEEEE MONEY. JUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND GO FIND SOMETHING TO MAKE IT PRETTY"

Its also not exactly free money. You can get up to $1500 for free. Everything over that (up to max of $20,000) is matching funds. So you have to put up $20,000 to get $20,000 (or perhaps $18,500 to get $20,000, since the first $1500 is free, but nonetheless private money needs to be invested as well). Still a great deal for anyone that utilizes it, if you ask me. Actually, I think its a great deal to improve your business by investing in letter people know there is a business there, even without the matching grant money.

[urbaknight]

Magnificat should really do something with that ugly signboard on the roof, even if it's just some kind of pretty mural. Just trim that tree bach a little bit and you'll be able to see it fine.

[fsujax]

I wonder if would be against the sign ordinance to rehab that old sign on top of the Magnificat, I think it would be cool all lit up at night.

[PeeJayEss]

I wonder if would be against the sign ordinance to rehab that old sign on top of the Magnificat, I think it would be cool all lit up at night.

it would be shway if that place had the traffic to stay open on weekends and more than a couple hours on weekdays. I'd like to go there.

[johnnyroadglide]

I wonder if would be against the sign ordinance to rehab that old sign on top of the Magnificat, I think it would be cool all lit up at night.

Jax Ord Code 656.1335 (downtown overlay) paragraph d states:
The compatibility of the type of illumination, if any, with the type illumination in the surrounding area. A reverse channel letter that silhouettes the sign against a lighted building is desirable. Lighting of a sign should accompanied by accent lighting of the building's distinctive architectural features and especially the facade area surrounding the sign. Lighted signs on unlit buildings are unacceptable. The objective is a visual lighting emphasis on the building with the lighted sign as subordinate. The following types of sign illumination shall not be permitted:

(1) Exposed fluorescent lighting other than neon;

(2) Exposed quartz, high or low pressure sodium mercury vapor, or metal halide lighting;

(3) Exposed incandescent lamps, other than low-wattage, purely decorative lighting;

(4) Signs projected onto the surface of a building.

[fsujax]

sings projected onto buildings needs to be done away with.

[futurejax]

Great Initiative.  This is the kind of creative planning that goes a long way towards a brighter, vibrant dt.

[JeffreyS]

I like when the glass Buildings like BOA have the Jumbo tron style displays shining though the glass.  That could attract attention to the General store, Dry Cleaners, Coffee shop and restaurants inside.  Same for the building formerly known as Modis. Create some life and movement on the street.