Northstar Pizza Bar Closed

[marksjax]

In the big picture it isn't the location of the convention center that concerns me. However, I do feel it should be in or near Downtown.
What bothers me is the lack of leadership and vision and yes I include John Delaney's administration as much as anybody's.
Think of it this way: You have an NFL team in your Florida town but you have a dump for a Convention Center? It does not make any sense.
We spend $700m on a friggin courthouse? Next up another $700m to dredge the river (a project of dubious ROI)? At least a Convention Center has the possibility of bringing new visitors to town (spending money).
It's like they gave up on trying to build tourism here. That defeatist attitude would not have won us an NFL team. So you see by that accomplishment that they can do it if they really wanted to. It's that they don't want to for some reason. Another mystery to me.

[downtownbrown]

seems like maybe the Convention Center idea at the old courthouse isn't "off the stove" yet

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545678&utm_source=6.30.15&utm_campaign=6.23.15&utm_medium=email

The discussions in the link were very forward-thinking, it's good to see the strength of the transition team so far. This is moving in a desirable direction.

I don't know.  To me this sounds like a warning that massive bureaucratic hurdles need to be jumped, and then someone has to find the money.  Sounds like a recipe for further stagnation.

[downtownbrown]

As regards the convention center dialog it is quite telling reading John Delaney's remarks that he has no understanding of the importance of the convention business as regards tourism whatsoever. That is inexcusable for a former mayor.

And his point about competing against Orlando is the same argument made against his (and others) current pet project, the deepening of the port. (i.e.) 'why spend all that money when the bigger ships are going to go to Miami anyway?'

Wow, I am stunned but not surprised how far off the radar a 'real' convention center is in these leaders minds!

At least Jerry Mallot gets it.

I rest my case as to why DT Jax is where it is now.   

Agree re: Delaney.  His comment about the cost of the new Courthouse is particularly annoying.  I mean, that's his baby, and what did it do for economic development?

[Jaxson]

Jacksonville's official sport should be 'kick the can.'  There are so many ideas that have been placed on the back burner, I wonder if there is any room left on the stove...

[marty904]

Anyone have any idea what the rent was/is there?  Just curious...

[thelakelander]

Reopening as the Bay Street Bar & Grill:

From washing dishes at Pizza Hut to owning a restaurant in The Elbow.
That describes Alva Richcreek's 33-year career in the culinary arts.

He was the cook at the former Northstar the Pizza Bar at 119 E. Bay St. When he found out the business was for sale, he called on a couple of partners and bought it with a vision for some extensive changes.

"The only thing that will be the same is the furniture," said Richcreek, who has renamed the establishment Bay Street Bar & Grill.

While the previous owner offered patrons of Downtown's entertainment district a bar where they could get a slice of pizza, Richcreek is planning a more extensive menu that will include traditional pub fare plus some choices leaning more toward fine dining.

While getting his new venture ready to open by the end of August, he talked about serving chicken piccata and fresh seafood along with burgers, wings and cheese steak sandwiches. He's also planning to serve some classic diner fare like meatloaf and macaroni and cheese

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545880

[Downtown Osprey]

this is the kind of stuff I like to see. Unique restaurants opening up and taking up building space downtown. Enough with the big name projects, having businesses like this continue to open up downtown is the biggest key. Good stuff. 

[Dapperdan]

Dare we say The Elbow is starting to take off ? Any other projects besides Cow ford Chop Shop and Levels in the works?

[ProjectMaximus]

^The 1904 guys' restaurant.

[tufsu1]

^The 1904 guys' restaurant.

Spliffs Gastropub

[thelakelander]

The Elbow is shaping up to be a decent dining destination.  Is Gilbert still trying to open a place in Langton's building on Forsyth Street?

[mtraininjax]

Dare we say The Elbow is starting to take off ? Any other projects besides Cow ford Chop Shop and Levels in the works?

Does "takeoff" mean takeoff in the same sense as 5 Points? or Dare we say.....Brooklyn....or are thew few new places just nice to have for the downtown workers of 9-5? Chophouse is more than a year off, IF they don't find Jimmy Hoffa buried inside.