Looking for new ideas for Snyder Memorial. Again.

[thelakelander]

By Max Marbut, Staff Writer

It looks like anyone with a plan for Snyder Memorial will have the chance to show it to the Downtown Investment Authority.
The authority's Strategic Implementation Committee directed staff Wednesday to draft a request for proposals for the historic former Methodist church at Laura and Monroe streets near Hemming Park.

The intent is to identify people with a business plan, one of which could eventually be approved by the authority's board of directors.

The committee hopes to renew the conversation about how to turn the building the city purchased in the mid-1970s, after the church's congregation dwindled, into an asset.

"Snyder is a key property," said Brenna Durden, one of two DIA members on the committee. "We won't know if there's somebody out there until we put it out on the street."

The city's investment over the years — combining acquisition from United Methodist Church, re-acquisition and maintenance and repair costs — is nearly $2 million.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547383

[FlaBoy]

I think a restaurant and music/wedding venue as some had envisioned could work for the site.

[Charles Hunter]

It might make sense for the Hemming Park group to manage Snyder. Would assure coordination, instead of competition between the two.

[UNFurbanist]

I always liked the idea of it being made into a music venue and bar. I've seen a few examples of churches converted into such venues and it makes for a pretty cool space. However, I'm sure conservative Jax wouldn't vibe with that very well.

[CCMjax]

I like the idea of a restaurant/wedding venue or small museum, could be all three.  The Government House in St. Augustine has an almost identical set up with the outdoor space facing the plaza.  I've seen weddings there and it looks great.  So let them know CCMjax has an idea just not the funds

http://www.staugustine.ufl.edu/govHouse.html

[CCMjax]

I always liked the idea of it being made into a music venue and bar. I've seen a few examples of churches converted into such venues and it makes for a pretty cool space. However, I'm sure conservative Jax wouldn't vibe with that very well.

Instead of calling it a bar, just call it a music and wedding venue and the collective conservative gasp will be quieted a bit. 

[Adam White]

Give it to me. It would make a pretty rad house.

[Gunnar]

A Jacksonville Limelight ?

[brainstormer]

There is an old church in Charleston that's been converted into a really cool restaurant called 5Church. I would love to see this become a restaurant with live jazz music. A place that can have Saturday Gospel Brunches and Thursday evening live jazz and cocktails. Something unique and different.

[CCMjax]

I always liked the idea of it being made into a music venue and bar. I've seen a few examples of churches converted into such venues and it makes for a pretty cool space. However, I'm sure conservative Jax wouldn't vibe with that very well.

Instead of calling it a bar, just call it a music and wedding venue and the collective conservative gasp will be quieted a bit.

Actually its been desanctified for a while and no one has a problem with it being a bar.

Well in that case, is Waco's interested in moving shop?   

[jaxlore]

Whatever it is they need to get somebody in there that can do it right. Not some half baked idea with no funding to back it up.

[blfair]

Chamblin's Uptown West Annex