Riverside YMCA Project Approved

[Noone]

Wait... seriously? Why isn't this all over the news??

Because they don't want anyone to know about the restricted Public Access and Economic opportunity to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our super duper restricted 2014-560 CRA/DIA zone from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge?

HEY JACKSONVILLE! We have a BARGE! Does Putnam county know about this?

Visit Jacksonville!

Tides are looking good. Plan on doing a RICO kayak paddle Downtown.

Be sure to ride 2014-412 and be transported from one illegal side of the RIO St. Johns to the other illegal side of the RIO St. Johns. You can't make this stuff up.

[KenFSU]

$500k pledge from the Jaguars Foundation for this project:

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/morning-edition/2015/10/jaguars-foundation-pledges-500-000-to-new.html

[Captain Zissou]

I walked by yesterday at lunch and it looks like they're about to tilt up the first panels.  They were attaching supports to some concrete slabs and i'm guessing that they'll be upright today.  There are a few decent columns standing far back from the river.  I just hope that Hallmark or somebody buys and builds on the front parcel quickly.  Once they move out, that old building will be an eyesore (already is, but I'm guessing it will get worse).

[thelakelander]

I think they're going to demolish the old building and turn it into a surface parking lot, when the new one is complete.

[acme54321]

I walked by yesterday at lunch and it looks like they're about to tilt up the first panels.  They were attaching supports to some concrete slabs and i'm guessing that they'll be upright today.  There are a few decent columns standing far back from the river.  I just hope that Hallmark or somebody buys and builds on the front parcel quickly.  Once they move out, that old building will be an eyesore (already is, but I'm guessing it will get worse).

They had a few upright yesterday afternoon.

[Steve]

I think they're going to demolish the old building and turn it into a surface parking lot, when the new one is complete.

They are willing to sell though-hopefully they make a good decision with someone decent.

[KenFSU]

Finally had a chance to check out the new Y today. If you haven't taken the time to see it in person, pictures don't do it justice. It's stunning. Also, I didn't see any signs of impending demolition of the old structure. Anyone know if demolition + surface lot is still the plan? You've gotta think that parcel fronting Riverside would be attractive to someone.

[pierre]

I cancelled my membership a while ago. The Yates building was just awful. Cramped spaces, outdated equipment. Not worth the money.

I may need to check out the new space.

[KenFSU]

Finally had a chance to check out the new Y today. If you haven't taken the time to see it in person, pictures don't do it justice. It's stunning. Also, I didn't see any signs of impending demolition of the old structure. Anyone know if demolition + surface lot is still the plan? You've gotta think that parcel fronting Riverside would be attractive to someone.

Jax Daily Record just answered my question.

Sounds promising:

Old YMCA in Riverside to be demolished; brokers already fielding inquiries
Tuesday, October 4, 10:42 AM EDT
By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

With the new riverfront Winston Family YMCA up and running, the old building on the street side is coming down and the site is for sale.
Burkhalter Wrecking Inc. expects to start demolishing the 63-year-old structure at 221 Riverside Ave. in the next few weeks, pending permitting.

The YMCA of Florida's First Coast said the tentative timeline is for demolition of the former Yates Family YMCA to start Monday and be completed by Jan. 31...

Listing agent Carmen Mantay with NAI Hallmark Partners said she and fellow listing broker Keith Goldfaden have been fielding inquiries regarding the YMCA site.

"We are extremely pleased with the activity we've had so far on the property," she said Monday.

Mantay said the property is considered attractive because of its prime walkable location at Riverside Avenue and Jackson Street within the Brooklyn neighborhood near Downtown.

The property benefits from direct access to the new $21 million YMCA and the Northbank Riverwalk while being in walking distance from corporate headquarters, restaurants, retailers and apartment buildings.

The 2-acre site is zoned CRO — community, residential and office — and is being marketed as ideal for hotel, retail, residential and mixed-use, providing views of the St. Johns River and Downtown with more than 23,000 cars a day driving by...

"People from all over the country have shown interest in the site, including mixed-use, multifamily, hotel and retail developers. We are working with these developers to create a site plan that will work for the YMCA, the developer and the neighborhood," Mantay said.

The YMCA said while no listing price is mentioned, the agency is considering offers that would include the construction of a 300-space parking structure that would be dedicated to the Winston Family YMCA.

Full story: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=548462

[jaxjaguar]

^was just about to post that haha. Man, if there was ever a spot for a multiuse high-rise, I don't think a developer could ask for anything better. You could put up a 40-50 story building with hotel space, offices, a few shops/restaurants and apartments and sell it out due to its location/marketability/walkability. First floor shops, next 9-10 parking. Before someone tells me this will never happen, let me dream for a few minutes. Lol

[funwithteeth]

I cancelled my membership a while ago. The Yates building was just awful. Cramped spaces, outdated equipment. Not worth the money.

You failed to add constant leaks whenever it rained

Anyway, I quit for similar reasons in the spring of '14, but I'm back in the fold now. The place is really nice. They just need to finish up what exterior construction is remaining because the parking lot can be a bit of a mess during peak business hours.

[thelakelander]

^was just about to post that haha. Man, if there was ever a spot for a multiuse high-rise, I don't think a developer could ask for anything better. You could put up a 40-50 story building with hotel space, offices, a few shops/restaurants and apartments and sell it out due to its location/marketability/walkability. First floor shops, next 9-10 parking. Before someone tells me this will never happen, let me dream for a few minutes. Lol

lol, 40 to 50 stories? Yeah, that's not happening.

[Captain Zissou]

^was just about to post that haha. Man, if there was ever a spot for a multiuse high-rise, I don't think a developer could ask for anything better. You could put up a 40-50 story building with hotel space, offices, a few shops/restaurants and apartments and sell it out due to its location/marketability/walkability. First floor shops, next 9-10 parking. Before someone tells me this will never happen, let me dream for a few minutes. Lol

lol, 40 to 50 stories? Yeah, that's not happening.

50 stories with an aquarium and observation deck on top!!

[jaxjaguar]

I SAID LET ME DREAM LAKE! lol

[BridgeTroll]

^was just about to post that haha. Man, if there was ever a spot for a multiuse high-rise, I don't think a developer could ask for anything better. You could put up a 40-50 story building with hotel space, offices, a few shops/restaurants and apartments and sell it out due to its location/marketability/walkability. First floor shops, next 9-10 parking. Before someone tells me this will never happen, let me dream for a few minutes. Lol

lol, 40 to 50 stories? Yeah, that's not happening.

50 stories with an aquarium and observation deck on top!!

With a zipline!