Councilman Clark commits to funding convention center update

[thelakelander]

Looks like talk about whether to build a new convention center or not will be coming back to the forefront.

The discussion whether a new convention center should be built Downtown could go back to the forefront following comments and a commitment made Tuesday to the Duval County Tourist Development Council.
After hearing a request from Visit Jacksonville board Chair Bill Prescott for the council to fund a $59,000 update of a 2007 convention center feasibility study, City Council member Richard Clark said he would sponsor legislation for the city to fund the update.

Clark said he didn't understand why Visit Jacksonville would pay for the new study when the city would be responsible for building and sustaining a new convention center.

"I'll commit to find the money for the study," said Clark.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=541118

[thelakelander]

Seems it's already been deemed that the courthouse site next to the Hyatt is the best location and that we'd be looking at spending between $100 - $200 million to build it.

[tufsu1]

I'm glad to see some "movement" on this

[thelakelander]

Yeah, regardless of how one feels about a convention center, this is an issue that needs to be addressed, one way or another. Especially, since we're in the middle of creating a new downtown CRA plan.

[urbaknight]

There's no need for a new study, we already know what needs to be done. Why do our leaders have to pay someone so much money to think for them? I understand that most of them aren't very smart to begin with, but if they would just listen to people like us, it would be a lot cheaper!

[thelakelander]

Hopefully, it will include what the previous looks at this issue didn't really address.....how to pay for it.

[JeffreyS]

Lake that is something we should all email the council and request to be included.

[Lunican]

What has changed downtown since 2007 that necessitates an update?

[thelakelander]

Nothing. If they're going to use anything the Civic Council has put together, then we're talking about 2011. The key issue is costs.  If they want it, how are they going to come up with the cash and when.  Those are the real questions, IMO.

[JayBird]

Well one thing we know for certain, they can count the bed tax out because those greenbacks are spoken for!  Maybe they'll go the way of Fernadina and try taxing restaurants for each seat they have. After all, with that and more parking meters that should spur downtown development tenfold. Actually, if they do that, the convention center can go in Riverside because all those Mellow Mushroom seats will pay for it!

[icarus]

I still don't think the old Courthouse location is the best location.  Its a short sighted move. If the Convention Center were a success, there is no where to expand ... smh

But, I fully support revisiting the issue or at least keeping it in the forefront.

[JayBird]

Do many convention centers build massive additions once they become successful? The lack of things people say make the current center unsuccessful are the exact things the courthouse site offers: hotels, entertainment, walkability. Where would you propose to build?

[spuwho]

Nothing. If they're going to use anything the Civic Council has put together, then we're talking about 2011. The key issue is costs.  If they want it, how are they going to come up with the cash and when.  Those are the real questions, IMO.

Hey Lake,

If memory serves they really want a center on the current fairgrounds between EverBank and the Grounds. Can use existing parking and logistics.  The big stumbler was the buildings on the fairgrounds that are owned by the related Fair Associations. (ie: Cattle Barns) would need to be settled. Early talk was to have them move to a new site at Cecil Commerce.

IMHO: They move the fair to CCC it will lose attendance. While I was at the fair last week the thought occurred to convert the southbank JEA brownfield as the new fairgrounds.  River based frontage. Water Taxi to northbank. Room to park if you don't want the water taxi experience. Barns can be recreated easily and still maintain the "urban fair" experience.

Any thoughts?

[Ocklawaha]

This is great news, get that abomination out of the 'holy temple of transportation!'

The Everbank site sucks to high heavens, nothing like bringing in 2,000 executives and sticking them next to a blighted, semi-industrial, 'historic district,' when the city has done everything but the 'LaVilla treatment,' to make it worse.

The JEA site for the fair would be quite nice if we could use that as park and special event space the rest of the year. Hell maybe we could convince the Fair to build a replica of Fort San Nicholas... maybe not.

The Courthouse site is the best for density and urbanism, it lends itself to a Skyway extension and the 'probably-will-never-happen-streetcar,' plus the water taxis. Be nice if they could work the old City Hall into the design.

[JayBird]

Agreed on the old city hall, that would be a coup. As for the old Southside Generating land, isn't that like $20-40M?? And do we really want to take the opportunity to eventually take whatever ends up there off of the tax rolls? Someday a developer will make a lot of money on condos there and even after all the subsidy COJ gives the city will still make a lot of moolah from it as well. To turn it into something that we truly do not need? I'd be against that. The fairgrounds are good where they are, people like it. I know room gets tighter every year but I hold onto to optimistic "tear down the Hart Expressway and utilize Metro Park". I know, pipe dreams. As for using the fairgrounds for a convention center, save the money and just keep it where it is if that is the case.