A Different Look for Prado Walk

[avonjax]

My cynical side says what you see is all you will get...
Wish I could be more positive but someone point out a project or two where this has not  been the case...
Cheer me up!
and yes I think the fenced in lot is ugly but again another terrific looking project compromised.
I know the economy stinks and I guess its the price we pay for living in Florida with our bad real estate market.

[avonjax]

oh and by the way a Japanese/Sushi restaurant in taking over the old Aura Thai space in Murray Hill....

[cline]

I know the economy stinks and I guess its the price we pay for living in Florida with our bad real estate market.

The problems with the economy and housing market are not exclusive to Florida.

I agree with lake though.  I think that an urban strip mall could create a unique pedestrian environment for the area with such close proximity to the hospital.  I would think a cafe or restaurant could do very well there. 

[avonjax]

No matter what any one says it still is a cop out.....
It will probably do fine for the hospital crowd but I think it is too isolated to be big with anyone else....
Unless a very nice and unique business goes in. If it's ordinary it will be DEAD after dark.....

[avonjax]

Bottom line it's now a glorified strip center that's isolated and I don't think it will be active except during the day......

[cline]

Bottom line it's now a glorified strip center that's isolated and I don't think it will be active except during the day......

I think that if a decent restaurant or bar-type establishment decided to locate there it could be an active place  during the evening.  Something similar to the Brick maybe would work well.

I wouldn't necessarily consider it "isolated".  There is a lot of residential around the area.  The retail establishments in Avondale seem to thrive and you could argue that those are isolated in the same way that this  is isolated. 

[thelakelander]

Yeah, I wouldn't consider it being isolated.  It would be a pretty decent spot for a restaurant/bar.  In addition to St. Vincents, its also pretty close distance to several multifamily buildings located on the surrounding streets. 

[avonjax]

You are right there are a lot of homes in the area but without a really special restaurant or bar they will be dead at night. Park a King with a lot more going on is not on fire after dark. This little strip is isolated from the action spots like 5 Points and, like I said, unless a really good place goes in, lights out at dark....

[avonjax]

If I am wrong correct me.....
Name a spot in the area that does a strong night business that is off the beaten path....
I'm sure day time will be great.

[thelakelander]

Shantytown and Three Layers Coffeehouse in Springfield are two examples that immediately come to mind.  How is Restaurant Orsay on Park Street doing?

[TD*]

Yucky, I would not settle for the new concept.

[Jason]

Is there anything the city could/should do to help with the residential component?  Maybe a small tax break?

[blizz01]

How is Restaurant Orsay on Park Street doing?

-  Looks like they're doing great.  We had to wait last Saturday eve @ 10 & they had not even officially opened yet.  BTW they place is really really good.  Any rumors on what might go into the space next door (former bar/pool hall) - It looks like it could be a great compliment to Orsay if thought out.

[stug]

Knowing first hand the difficulty of moving forward with development projects during the current market, the revised version is fine with me.  Evidently, the original just wasn't feasible.  An urban strip mall (Five Points, Avondale's strip and San Marco Square are all urban strip malls), as long as there's no asphalt parking lot up front, beats having a vacant lot.  Besides,for all we know, it could be built in a manner that will allow for future expansion.

Sure, vacant lots suck, but why rush to develop the land when there's not enough financial backing to do what's best for the area? Once it's developed, it's developed. End of story (for a few decades anyway).
And I don't think this thing will at all resemble Five Points', Avondale's or San Marco's strip. Sorry. I just don't buy it. Developers do what is least expensive, not what will stand the test of time.

[Jason]

I'm with you on that one Stug.  Its better to suffer a vacant lot in one of our most beautiful urban neighborhoods than to build something for the sake of building it.  If the developer can't afford to carry through with the original design plans, why not bring in some other investors or sell the property?