Lunch on wheels in Hemming Plaza working for businesses and customers

[thelakelander]

I think I'll eat at a food truck today...

By Max Marbut, Staff Writer
Based on feedback from vendors and the response from customers, the city Parks & Recreation Department's "Food Trucks in the Plaza" is a hit.

From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each Thursday and Friday, mobile food and beverage purveyors ply their trade in the plaza, with different food trucks — and therefore a different menu –– each day.

In other Downtown food truck news, Dale Stoudt didn't bring his Super Food Truck to Hemming Plaza Thursday, but he's working on another way to penetrate the Downtown market. Stoudt is talking about leasing the former Starbuck's coffee shop space at 11 E. Forsyth.

His plan is to serve coffee and pastries for breakfast and artisan salads and sandwiches for lunch. Happy Hour will feature raw oysters and microbrews for the after-work crowd and a late night menu will draw patrons from Burrito Gallery and other Downtown night spots.

"I'm one investor away from being able to sign a lease," he said.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,21099.msg369631/topicseen.html#new

[IrvAdams]

That's great news! I wonder how many FTs come at one time? Wish I wasn't in Mandarin at lunchtime.

Thanks for the update.

[lukeowens]

http://www.coj.net/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-and-community-programming/food-trucks-in-the-plaza.aspx

[IrvAdams]

What a great idea, and promoted on the City website! Way to rock Hemming Plaza!

[fsujax]

what a great way to attract crowds to Hemming Plaza. If I were there I would definitely be there.

[ronchamblin]

Now this makes good sense, as it allows reasonable limitations on the food trucks.  Every Thursday and Friday between 11:00 and 2:00 p.m. seems quite okay.

This is just enough presence to add spice to Hemming .. and its a good draw.  And too, its just enough competition to put a little fire into the imaginations of the local restaurants in the area, but not enough competition to actually cause an existing restaurant to fail.     

Let's hope the CC members establish similar limitations in the future.   

[strider]

Yes, once people realize that the food trucks can and will bring in people, which the existing B& M restaurants have been unable to do, the event can be made permanent and expanded to every day like it should be.  Let's hope that the CC members are forward thinking enough NOT to restrict the food trucks like a few want them too.

[ronchamblin]

Yes, once people realize that the food trucks can and will bring in people, which the existing B& M restaurants have been unable to do, the event can be made permanent and expanded to every day like it should be.  Let's hope that the CC members are forward thinking enough NOT to restrict the food trucks like a few want them too.

I hope you agree that reasonable restrictions are in order however.  If we imagine the somewhat extreme condition wherein each weekday, five food trucks were in Hemming from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. .... any sensible person would agree that some of the existing B & Ms would go under.

And this, believe or not, would "empty" some spaces and buildings in the core...... which would be in opposition to the goal of filling buildings in the core ... and in opposition to the long term goal of revitalizing the DT core. 

Now .... "if", as a consequence of the imagined high level of food trucks were to somehow "fill" spaces and buildings in the core, we would not have opposition to "less" restrictions...... simply because the long term goal of filling DT buildings might not be impaired.

Of course, if we simply want to have food trucks in DT Hemming, and do not worry about building infill ... and ultimately, true revitalization... then go ahead and give full freedom to having as many food trucks as you wish, for many days, and for many hours.  We can make the DT core like a food truck carnival.... all the time.  Wheeeeeeeeeee.   

[TD*]

I want to elect Stephen dare as mayor of Jax.

[strider]

Yes, once people realize that the food trucks can and will bring in people, which the existing B& M restaurants have been unable to do, the event can be made permanent and expanded to every day like it should be.  Let's hope that the CC members are forward thinking enough NOT to restrict the food trucks like a few want them too.

I hope you agree that reasonable restrictions are in order however.  If we imagine the somewhat extreme condition wherein each weekday, five food trucks were in Hemming from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. .... any sensible person would agree that some of the existing B & Ms would go under.

The reasonable is a bit much coming from the person who has consistently compared food trucks to an invasion and accused us supporters of being emotional and stupid.  What I will say is that food trucks should be regulated and inspected like any other food service and should be required to meet sensible guidelines as to where and how they set up, IE, don't block traffic, safe for the clientele, ETC.  Not to prevent competition.   A far cry from "restrictions" as you seem to wish for. 

As a very sensible person,  I see that the existing B&M restaurants seem unable to prevent people from getting into their cars and drive out of DT for lunch.  I see that they can not nor will ever promote OTHER types of businesses downtown as they take up everyone's allotted time for eating and do not leave time for just walking around and seeing other types of businesses.  Nothing wrong with that, there is indeed a need for that type of establishment just like there is a need for that faster alternative so other errands can be done.  And, the bottom line here is that if B&M restaurants could bring back the desired vibrancy to the urban core, they would have done it already.  They need help and that is what the food trucks can do. Help all of DT.

And this, believe or not, would "empty" some spaces and buildings in the core...... which would be in opposition to the goal of filling buildings in the core ... and in opposition to the long term goal of revitalizing the DT core.

Or, as I believe, it will promote DT much better than the existing B&M establishments are now and bring new businesses to the area that people need and want. And frankly, I am concerned that as you and others see this need to protect the existing B&M restaurants, that more than one of them must be on the brink and may very well close with the desired protections from the "invasion" of food trucks in place anyway thus dooming DT to empty sidewalks for many years to come. Unless of course, the food trucks re there to save the day!

Now .... "if", as a consequence of the imagined high level of food trucks were to somehow "fill" spaces and buildings in the core, we would not have opposition to "less" restrictions...... simply because the long term goal of filling DT buildings might not be impaired.

So, why is it that our way is so wrong when frankly, the result, good or bad, is unknown, when your way, the way it is now, is not doing it's job? Why should we all just sit with the status quo and keep hoping the status quo up and decides it is going to work someday when we can try something new and perhaps get the results other cities have seen?

Of course, if we simply want to have food trucks in DT Hemming, and do not worry about building infill ... and ultimately, true revitalization... then go ahead and give full freedom to having as many food trucks as you wish, for many days, and for many hours.  We can make the DT core like a food truck carnival.... all the time.  Wheeeeeeeeeee.   

Yes, Wheeeeeee!  Lots of folks walking around downtown, going into Chamblin's, Diversions and perhaps buying new clothes, ice cream and yes, even sitting down for lunch or dinner, all because the city had the foresight to give a new idea, the food trucks, a chance.  It is a carnival I believe we all could live with. Even you.

[ronchamblin]

I want to elect Stephen dare as mayor of Jax.

We need a mayor able to hold realistic visions of goals significant to our city, and to pursue those visions with strong leadership, without being distracted by debts owed to those supporting him (or her), without being distracted by personal enhancement ... without being distracted by politicking .... a mayor of integrity....able to lead ... able to see beyond his or her nose...  with a determination to pursue the revitalization of the old city core, the heart and soul of our city.  In my view, which is admittedly limited, there are very few individuals potentially in position to run for mayor, who have these qualities - and this group, in my humble opinion, does not include Mr. Dare.  I do spy two individuals however, who might have the qualities necessary to be a great mayor, and who might rise to the challenge.       

[ronchamblin]

Appreciate your ideas strider.

I wish to have food trucks in the core, and in Hemming.  I understand the good that will come of it.  However, I perceive a long-term "bad" which can come of it if the quantity, locations, and hours are not restricted with some discretion.  It seems that many are willing to offer some restrictions already.  Nobody desires excessive restrictions.

Fundamentally, I am disappointed that all this energy and hoopla given to the food truck "action" is not given to encouraging and incentivizing some "exciting and new" B & M restaurant operations to open in the core -- to 'fill" some spaces and buildings.

If we are to understand that a vibrant city core involves the occupation of fixed space and buildings, then we should strive to cause the occupation of these spaces. 

Although this might not happen, I am concerned that excessive attention and assets on the food trucks might allow some complacency ... as if we are making solid progress in achieving vibrancy -- when the real situation calls for action via all energy and assets being put into enticing, encouraging, and incentivizing (almost forcing) the occupation of spaces and buildings -- residential, restaurants, businesses, offices, entertainment .... museums.

Perhaps some prefer direct attacks against a problem (filling buildings), while some prefer to massage a scenario to a solution.  I prefer direct attacks.  We are at war. 

In the end, any legislation should be sensitive to the possible damage to a core made fragile because of low foot traffic.  Once the core has more foot traffic as a consequence of filled buildings.. that is, more residents and workers, and therefore is less fragile, then food trucks would be more welcomed in quantity and hours.  Now? .... the idea of unrestricted food trucks is a gamble.