Is Avondale Ready For A 7-Eleven?

[MusicMan]

Two parcels? Interesting.  The parking all around there sucks. Sorry it sucks but it does. Especially if you actiually own a home around there. Nothing like having 20-something partiers dropping cig butts and other crap in and around your lawn as they are going to and from the fun spots.

Well it is a nice parcel, but PRIME? That explains why it sat empty for 3+ years.

You know, it 's sort of like Central Park. If that space (in Avondale)  had been made a beautiful fountain plus shaded parking and seating it would actually increase the value of everything else around it.. And twenty years from now people would be saying how smart of a choice it was. Imagine if the citizens of New York had said, "That Park sure is PRIME real estate. Let's build on it."  They had the foresight and wisdom not to build on it. And guess what, now the properties surrounding Central Park are among the most desireable in Manhattan. Whenever I go to a place where they had the vision not to develop every parcel but to set some aside for non-commercial public  use, it always pays off in the long run.  AND the Shoppes could use a small designated parking area.

And now I will put my soap box away.

[iluvolives]

The parking all around there sucks. Sorry it sucks but it does. Especially if you actually own a home around there. Nothing like having 20-something partiers dropping cig butts and other crap in and around your lawn as they are going to and from the fun spots.

If your tired of 20-somethings bothering your lawn then I would think you'd be happy to have something open in the shops other than another place to drink. I would imagine a 7-11 will draw more near by residents who will walk to the store than a restaurant that would bring in more bar hoppers.

Also, we're lucky to have a huge park 1 block over that provides plenty of access to trees and shade, so I don't think that would be a good use for the space. Boone Park also has lots of parking, if someone is willing to walk 1 block. We also now have the fountain that they added next to Blue Fish- not sure when it's going to be completed and have water in it, but it's a fountain non the less if a water feature is important to you.

The only reasons we've heard not to have a 7-11 is because the store owners are terrified of competition. Run your establishment well and you won't loose business to a 7-11. And from people who are worried about additional parking- but no matter what opens here it will hopefully draw additional business and there for drivers, I think a 7-11 would actually bring in far less cars than any other type of proposed business.

[thelakelander]

Interesting. So 7-11 is going to construct a multi tenant building? If so, that should be a pretty decent addition to the strip.

[MusicMan]

As long as it is a Sushi/Nail Salon combo. 

[Kay]

Parking facility may in fact be the highest,best and most embarrassing use

A parking facility?  I'll go ahead and assume that's an "embarrassing" joke.  There is ample on-street parking throughout the neighborhood (I prefer to walk to The Shoppes however).   

RAP (as well as me personally) are getting complaints from residents that live behind the shoppes that they cannot park on the street by their homes anymore because of the shoppe traffic.  Some driveways have been blocked and where there are not driveways residents are having to park 4 blocks away.  So they perceive parking as a problem--fyi.

[acme54321]

One solution that a lot of other cities have is to issue neighborhood parking decals for the residents and designate certain parts of the street for resident parking only.  Of course someone (JSO) will have to enforce.

[cline]

RAP (as well as me personally) are getting complaints from residents that live behind the shoppes that they cannot park on the street by their homes anymore because of the shoppe traffic.  Some driveways have been blocked and where there are not driveways residents are having to park 4 blocks away.  So they perceive parking as a problem--fyi.

So basically what these residents are saying is that they should be the only ones allowed to park in front of their house.  If driveways are blocked that is a different story- those cars should be towed but the fact of the matter is that cars are allowed to park on the street.  I routinly have cars parked on the street in front of my home. 

[Jimmy]

Right.  I'm looking outside my window.  Lots of "stranger" cars are parked on the street in front of my house.  You'd think they were parked legally on public property, or something. 

If my driveway was blocked, I'd call JSO or ASAP.  Not RAP.

[Kay]

Guys:  I'm just telling you about some residents concerns.  I try not to blow off anyone's concerns.  When conditons change from what they were after you've lived somewhere a while, people may get upset.  I understand it whether or not I agree with it.  I think one of the challenges in RA with residences and commercial uses right next to each other is how not to negatively impact residential quality of life yet at the same time having vibrant commercial establishments.   

[logical]

Two parcels? Interesting.  The parking all around there sucks. Sorry it sucks but it does. Especially if you actiually own a home around there. Nothing like having 20-something partiers dropping cig butts and other crap in and around your lawn as they are going to and from the fun spots.

Well it is a nice parcel, but PRIME? That explains why it sat empty for 3+ years.

You know, it 's sort of like Central Park. If that space (in Avondale)  had been made a beautiful fountain plus shaded parking and seating it would actually increase the value of everything else around it.. And twenty years from now people would be saying how smart of a choice it was. Imagine if the citizens of New York had said, "That Park sure is PRIME real estate. Let's build on it."  They had the foresight and wisdom not to build on it. And guess what, now the properties surrounding Central Park are among the most desireable in Manhattan. Whenever I go to a place where they had the vision not to develop every parcel but to set some aside for non-commercial public  use, it always pays off in the long run.  AND the Shoppes could use a small designated parking area.

And now I will put my soap box away.

Why has the property been [sic] "unused" for 3+ years"?  The owners had about 100 opportunities for long-term leases...some really, really good, but chose to not go that route.  All of the postees are getting older and will reach a time when a long-term lease will quickly outlive you. 

And somehow a nice fountain with shaded parking is the "highest and best use"   Well, why don't you and other like-minded people put on the table the same money 7-11 is willing to invest to turn a profit?  Right...your notion of the "highest and best use" goes 'pooof'.

I hear there is another player who has the $$ and is ready to put in a Gentleman's club, with parking on the ground level and the 'club' on the second level.  If the 7-11 opportunity dies the Gentleman's club is in, and RAP or the Ah-vahn-dale' elite can't stop it.  Anyone out there interested in some "lap-dancing" lessons

[ChriswUfGator]

I hear there is another player who has the $$ and is ready to put in a Gentleman's club, with parking on the ground level and the 'club' on the second level.  If the 7-11 opportunity dies the Gentleman's club is in, and RAP or the Ah-vahn-dale' elite can't stop it.  Anyone out there interested in some "lap-dancing" lessons

Seriously? You truly believe that somebody could open a gentleman's club at that location? COJ is presently staring at a petition for certiori to SCOTUS, or put another way the City is willing to go all the way to the US Supreme Court to close some existing gentlemens' clubs in other locations that are a lot more suited to that use than Avondale. You are out of your gourd if you believe for a second they'd even get the building permit, let alone a zoning variance or business license, to open up a strip club at that location.

Honestly, I'm hoping you were kidding. Otherwise, it's clear you don't understand land use and zoning very well.

[ChriswUfGator]

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-07-18/story/nude-clubs-might-be-closed-jacksonville

[MusicMan]

Quote:

"I hear there is another player who has the $$ and is ready to put in a Gentleman's club, with parking on the ground level and the 'club' on the second level.  If the 7-11 opportunity dies the Gentleman's club is in, and RAP or the Ah-vahn-dale' elite can't stop it.  Anyone out there interested in some "lap-dancing" lessons."

That must be a joke, and it was funny.

[Dashing Dan]

Just because neighbors complain about parking, it doesn't mean that parking is a problem that needs to be addressed.

If a parking structure does go there, it would have to include something like a 7-11 at ground level, or else it would create a dead zone within an otherwise vibrant area. 

I've haven't seen any of them myself, but I have heard about 7-11 stores that are very attractive.  I'd go there.

[Dog Walker]

Tempest meet Teapot.