Is Riverside/Avondale Ready For Mellow Mushroom?

[outofhere]

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

People who live on Pine (directly behind the Shoppes) will tell you that problems exploded after Mojos arrived. But once again that must seem like silly talk to people who live in suburban communities with HOAs.

The theory espoused on this board is that by ramping up commercial development  and choking the community the powers that be will suddenly be enlightened and a streetcar will appear on the streets of RA. HAH!

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

Those of us who actually live in the RA community support the Shoppes---we walk there to buy gifts, eat, get a mani-pedi, buy wine, etc. It is part of the fabric of our everyday life. So is being able to let our kids ride their bikes in the streets, walk our dogs, and enjoy the economic investment (our homes) we have made in our community.

[thelakelander]

The proposed Mellow Mushroom development does not meet current legal requirements for parking.  It was the developer's choice to design the project knowing that he would not meet the required parking; he could reduce the scope of the project and we wouldn't be having any further discussion.   

The historic district zoning is EXTREMELY GENEROUS to restaurants who wish to come to the neighborhood, requiring between 50% and up to 100% fewer required parking spaces. 

The neighborhood would welcome a streetcar but that's many, many years in the future as is any decent public transport, so the parking issue must be considered with the current reality.

This same issue was the cause of Kickback's problems; planning on development that does not meet legal requirements and expecting the neighborhood to solve the problem.    Plan it but do it legally.

How many parking stalls do you think MM needs above the 15 they are providing?

[thelakelander]

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

People who live on Pine (directly behind the Shoppes) will tell you that problems exploded after Mojos arrived. But once again that must seem like silly talk to people who live in suburban communities with HOAs.

The theory espoused on this board is that by ramping up commercial development  and choking the community the powers that be will suddenly be enlightened and a streetcar will appear on the streets of RA. HAH!

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

Those of us who actually live in the RA community support the Shoppes---we walk there to buy gifts, eat, get a mani-pedi, buy wine, etc. It is part of the fabric of our everyday life. So is being able to let our kids ride their bikes in the streets, walk our dogs, and enjoy the economic investment (our homes) we have made in our community.

The poster who said they wanted a restaurant row lives in Avondale.  He's one of your neighbors that disagrees.  What makes your opinion more valuable than his?  Nevertheless, opinions don't matter when it comes to zoning.  The overlay allows the use.

[fieldafm]

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

People who live on Pine (directly behind the Shoppes) will tell you that problems exploded after Mojos arrived. But once again that must seem like silly talk to people who live in suburban communities with HOAs.

The theory espoused on this board is that by ramping up commercial development  and choking the community the powers that be will suddenly be enlightened and a streetcar will appear on the streets of RA. HAH!

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

Those of us who actually live in the RA community support the Shoppes---we walk there to buy gifts, eat, get a mani-pedi, buy wine, etc. It is part of the fabric of our everyday life. So is being able to let our kids ride their bikes in the streets, walk our dogs, and enjoy the economic investment (our homes) we have made in our community.

Just to be clear the author of the article does not live in a gated community off 9A(nor does the owner of the restaurant in question). 

Please answer this question, would demolition or abandoned blight be a better option than the preservation of a building through a unique adaptive reuse, net new parking, a public square and the only sufficient bike parking facilities in the neighborhood?

[WmNussbaum]

Lakelander, Outofhere's opinion counts for more because it is the view of an overwhelming majority of us nearby residents.

NOTE TO OUTOFHERE: This Saturday night, park your car in front of Councilman Jim Love's home at the corner of Edgewood and Oak. Around 2 a.m. go get it and be sure to make a lot of noise doing so. You might even leave a beer bottle or can as a calling card.

[Intuition Ale Works]

Seems like a huge amount of parking would be created if a satellite parking lot (FSCJ or St.Vincents) for employees was set up with a shuttle to and from the shops.

[thelakelander]

Although none of this matters when community supported zoning allows the use, in your opinion, what's the for and against count, as well as the count's boundary limits?

[cline]

Outofhere's opinion counts for more because it is the view of an overwhelming majority of us nearby residents.

And how do you know this as fact?

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

This happy hour keeps getting brought up.  Monty's has a happy hour that lasts from something like 11am until 7pm everyday where beers are $1.  That's quite a long time to suck down $1 beers but no one complains about that.  Other restaurants in the area have happy hour as well.

[cayohueso]

Well Avondalers need somewhere else to go for pizza since Moon River keeps kicking them out. Moon River post...defend yourself!!

[fsujax]

I hear there will be retail space at the proposed 220 Riverside project, why not just have MM move there. If Avondale doesn't want it, then I am sure there are others that would welcome it!

[Captain Zissou]

I seem to recall that this is a long standing rite of passage in Jacksonville, what other American city would tell Walt Disney, "Jacksonville doesn't deal with carnival people!"

Plenty of places have fended off Disney's "carnival people" out of fear of what they'd do to their locality - notable examples are Prince William County, VA; Mineral King, California; and Knot's Berry Farm. And those are examples where Disney was actually interested in building - there was fortunately never any danger of Disney World being built here.

I heard differently.  I was told that the cruise business was always a part of Walt Disney's business plan and that he wanted to be able to easily transport his guests from his parks and resorts to the cruise ships.  That made Jacksonville a better option than Orlando.  He supposedly sent teams to both Jacksonville and Kissimmee/Orlando to scout out properties.  He personally was pulling for Jax, but Orlando turned out to be the more viable option.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

Deal.  I'll head to the location at the beach with my trusty camera and recorder to get some pictures and quotes from those late night heathens.  I'm sure they'll provide great soundbites of wanting to pee in your lawn and trash your house.  I'll also get a quote or two from the staff if I can.

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

The author of the thread lives less than a half mile from the shoppes, which I imagine is closer than many of those opposed to MM.  He is constantly involved in projects and events to help benefit the neighborhood and build its notoriety.  As for my credentials, I live less than a quarter mile from the shoppes on Herschel and I am a big supporter and close friend of many business owners in the area.

[Gators312]

Lakelander, Outofhere's opinion counts for more because it is the view of an overwhelming majority of us nearby residents.

NOTE TO OUTOFHERE: This Saturday night, park your car in front of Councilman Jim Love's home at the corner of Edgewood and Oak. Around 2 a.m. go get it and be sure to make a lot of noise doing so. You might even leave a beer bottle or can as a calling card.

I love the comment about the beer bottles and cans!!  What establishment in the Shoppes allows people to carry alcohol out? 

The only one I can think of is Monty's who has been there 40 years with little fanfare.

The fear mongering is laughable. 

I assume most who are against the expansion of commerce in the shoppes probably don't even patronize the restaurants in their neighborhood, they just drive their cars to the "Club"  for dinner and bemoan what has become of Avondale.

[thelakelander]

I hear there will be retail space at the proposed 220 Riverside project, why not just have MM move there. If Avondale doesn't want it, then I am sure there are others that would welcome it!

Those guys know their market.  This may be a case of the squeaky wheel making noise moreso than a community at large.   The same things were said about MoJo and they seem to be doing fine....validating the squeaky wheel comment.  With that being said, they want to do a unique adaptive reuse project.  That shell station and the commercial strip is as good as any.  Unless they are asking for some excessive exception that's not within the intent of the zoning overlay, they'll be fine in the long run.

[Gators312]

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

People who live on Pine (directly behind the Shoppes) will tell you that problems exploded after Mojos arrived. But once again that must seem like silly talk to people who live in suburban communities with HOAs.

The theory espoused on this board is that by ramping up commercial development  and choking the community the powers that be will suddenly be enlightened and a streetcar will appear on the streets of RA. HAH!

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

Those of us who actually live in the RA community support the Shoppes---we walk there to buy gifts, eat, get a mani-pedi, buy wine, etc. It is part of the fabric of our everyday life. So is being able to let our kids ride their bikes in the streets, walk our dogs, and enjoy the economic investment (our homes) we have made in our community.

If Avondale only had gates and an HOA it would be utopia!

[Tacachale]

It must be wonderful to opine (from the comforts of your gated complex off 9A) what what RA neighbors should accept in THEIR community.

And those pics from MM. Yeah, post something from the 10 pm to 2 am happy hour crowd and I'll be impressed.

People who live on Pine (directly behind the Shoppes) will tell you that problems exploded after Mojos arrived. But once again that must seem like silly talk to people who live in suburban communities with HOAs.

The theory espoused on this board is that by ramping up commercial development  and choking the community the powers that be will suddenly be enlightened and a streetcar will appear on the streets of RA. HAH!

One poster even suggested that it would be okay if the Shoppes was nothing more than a restaurant row. You know, a destination for those folks in gated communities who don't want to be bothered with noise, litter, etc in their communities.

Those of us who actually live in the RA community support the Shoppes---we walk there to buy gifts, eat, get a mani-pedi, buy wine, etc. It is part of the fabric of our everyday life. So is being able to let our kids ride their bikes in the streets, walk our dogs, and enjoy the economic investment (our homes) we have made in our community.

I love this comment because it reduces the entire debate to "true" Riverside-Avondale residents who oppose this restaurant and love parking, and evil 9A apartment dwellers who support Mellow Mushroom and freakin' hate parking. There can be no other types of people in the world.