Lenny Curry tells TU editorial board to expect big downtown development

[UNFurbanist]

Via a tweet from Christopher Hong the Mayor suggested that there is a major downtown development in the works. Any idea what this is? Hope it's the trio and Barnett!
https://twitter.com/ChrisHongTU/status/793108759925125120

[benmarcus]

Lemme guess. Shad's recent basement bargain buy, ie the Barnett Bank building? Interested to see what's proposed.

[KenFSU]

Per a later tweet, details to come early next year.

[heights unknown]

Or how about, razing all of the blocks that comprise LaVilla, and building 10 story parking garages, filling up each block and built on each block; that'll take care of the parking problem, and, it will be a development like no other city has...10+ blocks in LaVilla with 10 story parking garages. Alright, that's not funny, but I hope its something very valid, useful, and will standout not only where it is built, but hopefully add to the skyline and bring people downtown; don't need to be all vertical, but must be productive for downtown core and the city as a whole.

[pierre]

Fuddruckers is finally opening...wow guys. Cannot believe it.

[Captain Zissou]

Fuddruckers is finally opening...wow guys. Cannot believe it.

YAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS

[Captain Zissou]

Per a later tweet, details to come early next year.

Seriously...? What a tease.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Per a later tweet, details to come early next year.

In MJ-speak, "Shortly."

[vicupstate]

If we have to wait until at least January to find out what it is, it BETTER be good.... and it better actually happen. 

Wait, this is Jacksonville, so maybe that last part is too much to ask.   

[blfair]

Fuddruckers is finally opening...wow guys. Cannot believe it.

Nope, gotta be downtown is getting a Publix, before San Marco.

[heights unknown]

Publix opening downtown is a big development? Don't think so...but wait, we're talking Jacksonville here, even a portable coffee and snack kiosk is a big development.......isn't it? I think it's something that none of us are even thinking about or has come to our mind. Don't think it's the Trio. I think it's something new that when announced will knock our socks off (we all hope).

[vicupstate]

Fuddruckers is finally opening...wow guys. Cannot believe it.

Nope, gotta be downtown is getting a Publix, before San Marco.

Getting a Publix would be a big deal as it signals that the residential base has reached an important critical mass.  I assure you it hasn't, so whatever it is, it isn't that. 

[ronchamblin]

This is good news.  If Curry has focused on a problem, and if he has been working on it for a while, I doubt it is a project vulnerable to the usual rise & fall syndrome.  If it is a private investment venture, it must be solid, as Curry would not want to be involved in a project with even a moderate probability of failure.

But I am hoping that it will be a solid infrastructural improvement, which, if of proper shape and planning, could have profound effects on the rate at which the downtown travels the road to true vibrancy.  Whereas a single investment project, private or semi-private, would certainly have a good effect on the core, a solid infrastructural program could have a profound affect on "many" projects.

Although I've not spoken much with Curry, and have not followed in detail the media about him, I have, by casual exposure, accumulated the opinion that he is definitely not a fool, or one to be swayed by anything approaching hogwash.  He strikes me as an individual who perceives the serious nature of the job before him, and that he loves the challenge of it.  In my short exposure to him, he always seemed very alert ...  seeking accurate perceptions, as if hungry for input.  He is not about to accept mediocrity, nor a partial solution to any problem before him.  Few accountants accept a partial solutions.

Although the problem of the failure to achieve downtown vibrancy was thrust upon him many months ago, the complexity of it seems to have encouraged a long period of learning on his part.  A complex problem often involves several related solutions.   Perhaps the upcoming "surprise", might be one of his first "solutions" of several to come.

[Bill Hoff]

Here's the full piece:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/20156-11-03/ron-littlepage-cranes-downtown-bring-them

I'm inferring from the language used & sites referenced that the hypothetical development will be closer to the river (ie, not the Laura Street Trio).

[KenFSU]

Here's the full piece:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/20156-11-03/ron-littlepage-cranes-downtown-bring-them

I'm inferring from the language used & sites referenced that the hypothetical development will be closer to the river (ie, not the Laura Street Trio).

Based on everything that Curry has said in the last few months, combined with what we already know, it sounds like the vast majority of the new proposed development being teased will take place east of the northbank core, between the Shipyards and the Stadium.

I'm predicting:

1) Metro Park is turned over to the Jaguars for private development.

2) At the State of the Franchise Address, the Jaguars formally announce development plans for Metro Park - an entertainment zone which includes an upscale hotel, retail and dining, public green space, and mooring for the USS Adams, linked to the stadium/Daily's place with a fancy pedestrian overpass.

3) We hit the ground running on Shipyards remediation early next year.

4) A portion of the Shipyards property is designated public parkspace - the much-discussed land swap necessary to close Metro Park. And other proposed development of the site is outlined.

5) Curry, perhaps in conjunction with the Jaguars, announces his intent to build a new convention center somewhere in the Shipyards/stadium district. Don't know where it fits, but the Jaguars have beat the convention center drum a few times now, and with Khan, where there's smoke, there tends to be fire.

6) The Berkman is the x-factor for me. Can't see a developer taking on this project without heavy incentives from the city, but based on how Curry is talking, I'm guessing he finds a developer willing to finish her out. Maybe the Coastline Drive project - particularly if handled well - is the catalyst for Berkman.

Anyway, I really like the tone that Curry is taking in these last couple of weeks. "Fuck the Landing, not going to get bogged down in that nonsense, let's make something huge happen elsewhere instead."