Hendricks Avenue: The Next Hot Urban District

[RockStar]

No mention of Jack Rabbits? While the interior of that place kills me they have had have some of the hands down best underground shows in Jacksonville.

Don't know when you were in there last, but they've done a pretty solid job revamping and updating it. No smoking inside anymore either....I think. Either way, heads and tails about where it started.

[mtraininjax]

If we can get more of our established neighborhoods to stabilize their population decline and begin to see growth, many storefronts on streets like Main, McDuff, Phoenix, Kings, Myrtle, Edison, Philip Randolph, Moncrief, Edgewood, etc. will naturally see higher occupancy rates, regardless of what takes place in the suburbs and surrounding counties.

Need to slow the traffic down, like they have done on San Marco Blvd with the roundabout and general feel of a slower area. Hendricks is a straight road for the most part from Prudential Drive to Balis Park, sure there are some lights but most people don't really have to pay attention to curves in the road along this path. It feels like its a speedway compared to San Marco Blvd. If you can slow down the cars, I think you can accomplish what you are trying to do in the quote above.

[Steve]

No mention of Jack Rabbits? While the interior of that place kills me they have had have some of the hands down best underground shows in Jacksonville.

Don't know when you were in there last, but they've done a pretty solid job revamping and updating it. No smoking inside anymore either....I think. Either way, heads and tails about where it started.

I think the impression that most people get who haven't been in there is based on the exterior. Not exactly awe-inspiring

[mtraininjax]

I think the impression that most people get who haven't been in there is based on the exterior. Not exactly awe-inspiring

Neither was the old Shell Station in Historic Avondale, but somehow they found a way to tear it down. San Marco not a historic district, that whole row of businesses, including the rabbit, could be torn down without so much as a protest.

[MusicMan]

I am aware that the old Morton's Steakhouse near The Peninsula is under contract to physicians. They will be converting it into medical offices. Closing should be pretty soon.

[jaxnyc79]

I am aware that the old Morton's Steakhouse near The Peninsula is under contract to physicians. They will be converting it into medical offices. Closing should be pretty soon.

That's too bad.  I was sort of hoping that lot could be "urbanized."  The old Morton's structure looks as though it belongs in Baymeadows and not downtown.  Such prime property in the core would ideally have a much more intense use, and a far more pedestrian accessible design.  More apartments with physicians' offices on the ground floor.

[MusicMan]

It sat FOR SALE for 6 years.   First contract to make it through due diligence.....

Anyway, down the road it is zoned for a 5 or 6 story tower there, so you may some day get your wish.

[marcuscnelson]

I am aware that the old Morton's Steakhouse near The Peninsula is under contract to physicians. They will be converting it into medical offices. Closing should be pretty soon.

That's too bad.  I was sort of hoping that lot could be "urbanized."  The old Morton's structure looks as though it belongs in Baymeadows and not downtown.  Such prime property in the core would ideally have a much more intense use, and a far more pedestrian accessible design.  More apartments with physicians' offices on the ground floor.

Love the thinking but let me tell you a story.

There once was a magical place called East San Marco......

Is it not a story the Jedi would tell?

[fieldafm]

Astute observation about the "quality of the walk" improving on Hendricks. As Southbank residents, my better half routinely thinks we live in San Marco and not Downtown... as we walk quite a bit up and down Hendricks/San Marco Square. If we go to the Northbank for dinner, its by car... as the 'quality of walk' is not particularly desirable.

Just for fun, now would be a good time to revisit some of these articles to get a sense of how much Hendricks Ave, San Marco Blvd and Balis Park have changed over the past 13 years.

Hendricks:

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-nov-hendricks-avenue-streetscape-photo-tour

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/additional-development-proposed-for-san-marco-station/

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-apr-the-aardwolf-is-coming/page/


San Marco Boulevard / Balis Park:


https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-a-new-look-for-san-marco-boulevard

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-san-marco-boulevard-before-after

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-aug-before-after-san-marco-squares-balis-park

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-nov-a-public-square-for-san-marco

[Tacachale]

Astute observation about the "quality of the walk" improving on Hendricks. As Southbank residents, my better half routinely thinks we live in San Marco and not Downtown... as we walk quite a bit up and down Hendricks/San Marco Square. If we go to the Northbank for dinner, its by car... as the 'quality of walk' is not particularly desirable.

Just for fun, now would be a good time to revisit some of these articles to get a sense of how much Hendricks Ave, San Marco Blvd and Balis Park have changed over the past 13 years.

Hendricks:

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2006-nov-hendricks-avenue-streetscape-photo-tour

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/additional-development-proposed-for-san-marco-station/

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-apr-the-aardwolf-is-coming/page/


San Marco Boulevard / Balis Park:


https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-a-new-look-for-san-marco-boulevard

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-san-marco-boulevard-before-after

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-aug-before-after-san-marco-squares-balis-park

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-nov-a-public-square-for-san-marco

That sounds like an article.

[sandyshoes]

Re: Hendricks Ave across from Reddi Arts' current location - with all the apartments etc. going up over there and one planned to take Reddi Arts' place, I'd like to know where in the heck the handicapped parking will be for those of us wishing to go to Tidbits or Fifi's?  There is absolutely none available now.  I know there is additional parking way in the back of Tb/Fifi's, or across the street alongside RA, but the key word here is handicapped.  I'm not willing to take my life in my own hands for chicken salad, no matter how good it is.  I know there's another location, but driving to Baymeadows may have to just be the only answer - for me, anyway.  I would think the business owners would want to accommodate folks and be vocal about this somewhere along the line. 

[fieldafm]

There are handicap spaces across the street underneath the expressway.

[sandyshoes]

Right.  Baymeadows it is.  (Handicapped parking is usually closest to a business, thus ensuring a shorter, safer distance for those unable to physically dodge traffic speeding through the clearly marked crosswalks).