Plan to lure 1,000 Everbank jobs downtown

[videojon]

Correct. Some people shutter at the word "parking" downtown because of past abuse of surface lots but this should be an exception. Let's be realistic here. People are not likely to commute their way to the Jacksonville Landing via some commuter rail anytime soon. Parking for the landing is a good thing.

Great to get the jobs downtown, but do we really need to build another parking garage?  This is a band-aid solution.  I would much prefer a more functional transit system linking the empty parking garages we already have with the employment areas.

The parking garage situation is mainly to solve the Landing Parking issue that has been going on for decades. It really had nothing to do with just adding more parking downtown.

[duvaldude08]

So what building would they be moving into and is that building currently without signage?

If the deal works out, they would move into the AT&T building.  However, that building already has signage.

DO you think that Everbank will try to buy naming rights?

[comncense]

Good point Duvaldude. How much space, if any, does AT&T occupy in the building?

[duvaldude08]

Good point Duvaldude. How much space, if any, does AT&T occupy in the building?

I dont think they occupy much space honestly. I would think they would allow Everbank to buy the naming rights. That will save them some money. LOL

[thelakelander]

If that garage doesn't specifically dedicate a certain percentage of spaces to the Landing 24/7, its not going to address the Landing's parking issues (which have more to do with attracting national retailers than it does suburbanites parking their cars).

[Tacachale]

I can understand why Everbank would be unhappy with the release, but come on, if this ever goes forward it has to get approved by the city council. It's got to be public sometime.

[duvaldude08]

If that garage doesn't specifically dedicate a certain percentage of spaces to the Landing 24/7, its not going to address the Landing's parking issues (which have more to do with attracting national retailers than it does suburbanites parking their cars).

I thought it said there would be 200?

[duvaldude08]

I can understand why Everbank would be unhappy with the release, but come on, if this ever goes forward it has to get approved by the city council. It's got to be public sometime.

I think it may have been the fact they were unaware that he was going to annouce That would have pissed me off as well. I think he should have ran it pass them first. He kinda caught them off guard by making this grand annoucement with no deal in place.

[edjax]

Would there be enough space for Everbank to move to the Enterprise Center now that Wells Fargo will be vacating the building?  With the Wachovia name coming down they would have a better buidling and get naming rights.   Would seem they could have more leverage now with the announcement by Wells Fargo.  I am just not sure if there is enough available space in Enterprise Center.

[thelakelander]

If that garage doesn't specifically dedicate a certain percentage of spaces to the Landing 24/7, its not going to address the Landing's parking issues (which have more to do with attracting national retailers than it does suburbanites parking their cars).

I thought it said there would be 200?

The short term 200 aren't specifically "dedicated" for Landing retailers, so it wouldn't address the Landing's parking problem for retail recruitment.  I also thought they needed at least 350?  If so, why not make the garage large enough to accommodate them?

[duvaldude08]

If that garage doesn't specifically dedicate a certain percentage of spaces to the Landing 24/7, its not going to address the Landing's parking issues (which have more to do with attracting national retailers than it does suburbanites parking their cars).

I thought it said there would be 200?

The short term 200 aren't specifically "dedicated" for Landing retailers, so it wouldn't address the Landing's parking problem for retail recruitment.  I also thought they needed at least 350?  If so, why not make the garage large enough to accommodate them?

Yeah It shounds fishy. I hope the city council doesnt approve that without address all aspects. I mean I can deal with the 200 spaces, as long as the other 300 are open to the public after hours as well.

[fieldafm]

legislation is included in the garage proposal that would allow those short term spaces to be used as dedicated parking for the Landing?

The money that was a part of the parking validation program in the last deal would go to the Landing under this newest 'scheme'.. but still no dedicated parking

I don't understand Peyton's insistence that a parking garage be built on this lot... dating back to Cameron Kuhn's original involvement downtown.

This parking garage isn't part of the Everbank deal whatsoever, it's a way for Peyton to put more unwarranted parking downtown and circumvent Sleiman and his partner.  It does not address the contractural obligation with the Landing.  Basically he is trading out one parking lot owner for another... and that doesnt solve the issue.  It's simply a way of providing another parking lot owner with a huge gift from the city to build what is likely to be a very profitable garage.

It's simply a way to get one more 'screw you' to your family's biggest rival on his way out the door.  What's asinine is he is using the cover of the Everbank deal so no one will pay attention to what he is doing to enrich yet ANOTHER parking garage owner.

[fieldafm]

Would there be enough space for Everbank to move to the Enterprise Center now that Wells Fargo will be vacating the building?

The two buildings aren't an apples to apples comparison.  ATT&T is a much better space for Everbank's needs and the building's owners are offering some very competitive terms.. coupled with city assistance it could be a nice deal for everyone involved.  It's ashame it is playing out the way it is b/c Peyton is trying to cover up his parking garage dealings.

[tufsu1]

So what building would they be moving into and is that building currently without signage?

If the deal works out, they would move into the AT&T building.  However, that building already has signage.

that was my understanding too, but on NPR this morning, the SunTrust tower was mentioned for Everbank...that could of course have been a mistake...another possibility is that they backfill the Wachovia building when they move to tyhe fomer Modis building...and I would assume they'll take the name off the building which would allow Everbank's to go up.

as to the parking issue...I've never thought we needed more parking downtown (in fact, it is just the opposite)...that said, I have a problem giving someone public $ to buy an existing parking lot...if they were providing more parking or making significant site upgrades, it would be a different matter.

[fieldafm]

if they were providing more parking or making significant site upgrades, it would be a different matter.

The owner of the parking lot in question has a responsibility to better maintain their own facility.  This is simply replacing a wilfully neglected eyesore(cash cow) with a GIFT to another parking czar.

Note to Alvin Brown's transition team: Do not hire someone that is going to continue to play these childish games while the health of the community at large hangs in the balance.