A mildly crazy idea to help boost foot traffic in the urban core

[jaxjaguar]

Having family in Columbus, OH I've seen a slow, but successful revitalization taking place in their urban core. One of the big attractions downtown is the North Market. Think of it sort of as an indoor farmers market, but more of an incubator for small food related businesses. There are several small restaurants within that serve fresh locally produced foods / beers / coffees / pastries, etc. Farmers, decor makers, spice makers, etc rent small spaces with-in to sell there goods. The building is two stories so you can take anything you order upstairs to eat or drink while you look down on the people below.

Now for my idea.... Take one of these buildings in the core and convert it into a "South Market." The Riverside Arts Market and Jacksonville Farmers Market are not too far away. For those who set up shop there and want to try something a little more permanent with higher foot traffic on week days, they'd have a place to incubate their business. This would not only attract those working downtown, but those visiting, Sunday church goers, and those who don't live in the core something "different" and "new" to try.

Now for the difficult part; "Where to put this?" Well there are plenty of surface lots to build something new on. I'm imagining somewhere between Adams and Ashley on Julia, Hogan or Laura. This would be in a pretty high foot traffic area, near smaller already established businesses and relatively close to a Skyway station.

Thoughts?

[coredumped]

It's not a bad idea, in fact I like it (though I get excited to see anything downtown ) The question is, will it work? With the huge farmers market on Beaver, and the Arts/Farmers market at riverside would it be too much? I suppose if this was open everyday it would offer something that doesn't already exist, at least in the case of the RAM.
I like the idea of having things other than just fruits and veggies.

[jaxjaguar]

One of the other cool things I forgot to mention about the North Market is they advertise local events and businesses inside. If we were to do something like this I wouldn't expect it to directly compete with the Farmers Market / Arts Market, but rather be a more permanent spot for those who'd be willing to make a small investment.

[edjax]

Sounds interesting. Perhaps the Jaxsons Night Market is a good test for something like this?

[thelakelander]

I've always wished the Jacksonville Farmer's Market on Beaver Street would move forward with something like this.  They already have a building available for it and have mentioned it in their future plans on several occasions.

[JaxNole]

Has the JFM been approached about turning it into something more like North Market or even the French Market in NOLA? It takes some effort to convince friends to go because of the "industrial sketch factor" but they usually turn into regulars.

Any chance it could be featured on I-95 signage?

[jaxjaguar]

I haven't approached anyone about it...Honestly I wouldn't even know where to begin, but figured one of our members would.

The main goal of this wouldn't be to eliminate the Farmers Market, but to expand / broaden it's basic offerings into the core. The this "South Market" would be more like a a group of shops dedicated to selling foods, arts, pottery / cookware, local dishes, beverages etc. Very small spaces would be rented out, similar to the street marts you see in Asian countries. There would be a few larger spaces for more permanent tenants or those with more money to invest. 

[thelakelander]

Has the JFM been approached about turning it into something more like North Market or even the French Market in NOLA? It takes some effort to convince friends to go because of the "industrial sketch factor" but they usually turn into regulars.

Any chance it could be featured on I-95 signage?

They've mentioned they eventually plan to do it.

We are currently in the early phase of exploring with possible "vendor partners" concepts and ideas for developing the undeveloped 6 acres we own (2 acres of gravel to the east and 4 acres including a gutted 28,000 sf closed grocery store to the west).  If financially feasible and executed, this could more than double JFM and its current approximate 25,000 visitors a week. 

Our thoughts currently range from a variety of meat, bakery, seafood, salads/soups, dairy/cheese/ice cream, candy/sweets, plant/flowers, gourmet/ethnic food, local brewery/beer, winery/wine, coffee/tea, kitchen/restaurant wares/supplies, etc. businesses to a canning/demonstration kitchen, meeting/classroom space, and even an added mid to upscale lunch/dinner restaurant in addition to an event venue/plaza.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-sep-jacksonville-farmers-market-seeks-to-expand

[nagrom73]

Sounds like a neat idea, but I'd be concerned about the lack of rooftops downtown in relation to the viability of this project. In fact, i see the lack of people actually living downtown as its larget obstacle to recovery.

[JayBird]

^ I think the fact that the current farmers market already gets 25,000 customers a week kind of negates the whole not enough people thing. I shop there and I live on Fleming Island. Plus, a similar location is Chelsea Market in NYC, where people regularly visit from Long Island and New Jersey to shop and eat. This type of establishment is pretty much a "if you build it, they will come" as you're ever going to get.

[Ocklawaha]

Medellin, Colombia has this amazing business incubator called 'El Hueco', more or less 'The Hole In The Wall.' El Hueco, is big, it sprawls through a block of old buildings not unlike many that dot our downtown. It has all of the comforts of a major mall, and the atmosphere of the worlds largest flea market/swap meet/picnic/produce market all rolled into one. Stairs, elevators, corridors, twists and turns there must be 1000 little businesses in embryo. It is so cool that now tourists from the EU and USA are including it in their tours in Latin America. What makes it so special is the buzz that comes from being able to buy gem stones, hot dogs, pants, books, guitars, tools, oranges, computers, tires, gold, washer and dryer and a gold fish all in the same very energetic spot. Exploring the endless maze and making discoveries offer the shopper a unique experience.

ALL PHOTO'S "El Hueco" (pronounced El Waco) in Medellin, Colombia, translates as The Hollow, or Hole.

[IrvAdams]

All we have to do is encourage the Beach Blvd or Ramona or Northside flea markets to relocate downtown, in an old store or warehouse location. It would be very cool indeed.

[thelakelander]

I doubt that ever happens. Before the farmer's market built their new sheds, there was a push to get them to locate a little closer to DT. They didn't want to do this because the tenants wanted to remain at the Beaver Street location, the importance of truck movement and access, they already owned their land, it appeals to more than just millennials and yuppies, it's located in what many consider a food desert.  I would assume the Beach Blvd, Ramona and Northside flea markets, which are somewhat different from a public market, would be similar in that they serve a certain community, demographic and have larger facilities than what's available in downtown. There's also something to be said for having these places continue to anchor the established communities they are currently located in.

[IrvAdams]

Good points. All of those locations have been where they are for many years. They do generate a lot of traffic, but are very neighborhood oriented. Does make you wonder if there's enough business for one more similar operation in DT.

[thelakelander]

The farmer's market and Beaver Street aren't that far away from the Northbank's historic core and the Skyway gets you halfway there.  Another option would be to extend the Skyway west to the market (less than a mile), allowing connectivity to Myrtle Avenue and Dennis Street warehouse districts at the same time. The market already attracts 25,000 people each week and the warehouses and plants in the vicinity employ thousands, when combined. It would also get it within a 1/4 walk of some transit dependent neighborhoods like Robinson's Addition. It would probably boost Skyway ridership more than the proposed extension to Brooklyn would.