Urban Connectivity: The Jacksonville Landing

[Metro Jacksonville]

Urban Connectivity: The Jacksonville Landing



The Jacksonville Landing opened its doors to the world with much fanfare in 1987.  Over the following 20 years the 125,000sf complex would see several national tenants, like the Banana Republic and The Sharper Image flee to greener pastures, partially due to the city’s negligence in providing the required parking it promised two decades earlier.Things changed for the better once Toney Sleiman took over in 2003, and its future appears to be a bright one, with the parking issue finally being resolved.  Nevertheless, when it comes to the subject of urban connectivity, there are a few things Sleiman can do… even if the city never sells the land underneath the complex.

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/373

[Jason]

Excellent article.  The original plans for the Landing (if finished prior to the superbowl as planned) would have been a huge boost towards increasing the activity downtown and along the riverfront.

[Chris Pizzolorusso]

Although there tends to be many vendors that support a daytime and weekend nature downtown and at the Landing, have there been any talks about introducing basic ammenitits such as a 24 hour drugstore , convienience store, or 24 hour eatery?  With the many housing projects going in downtown on the north and southbank, I think the landing needs to rethink its identity.  Instead of being a destination from other areas, it will now be in the center of where many people live , work on a 24 hour basis, instead of a 9-5 living environment.

I would be interested to know what possiblities there are in the next decade for the landing.

[Michael-Lee]

There is so much that needs to be done to the Landing. They need a real drug store, not some little dump that sells overpriced Nyquil and gum. Walgreens? CVS? Also, why is there a Nine West outlet store? That whole side of the Landing is dark, damp and creepy. Lighten it up a little .And can we get Hooters to update their decor just a little?

[wwanderlust]

...or move?

[Charles Hunter]

So, wwanderlust, do you want to bounce Hooters out of the Landing?

[Jason]

No WAY!!  What's wrong with Hooters?!  IMO, the best location in the city for fireworks and cold beer.     

[Doctor_K]

No WAY!!  What's wrong with Hooters?!  IMO, the best location in the city for fireworks and cold beer.     

Yay fireworks and beer!

Plus it's one of the very few tenants that's been there (I think?) since the very beginning.  Practically everything else in that place lasts a few years at best then is gone. 

The only other tenant that comes readily to mind that's been there for a long time is that toy store east of the central plaza.

Hooters is a solid anchor for the Landing.  Needs to stay, IMO.

[tufsu1]

So, wwanderlust, do you want to bounce Hooters out of the Landing?

The Hooters at the Landing is the highest revenue-generating corporately-owned store in the chain....its not going anywhere!

[copperfiend]

So, wwanderlust, do you want to bounce Hooters out of the Landing?

The Hooters at the Landing is the highest revenue-generating corporately-owned store in the chain....its not going anywhere!

They are always busy so it does not surprise me.

[thelakelander]

Its amazing to see Hooters do so well, but the other ground level restaurant spaces on that end struggle to stay open.

[copperfiend]

Its amazing to see Hooters do so well, but the other ground level restaurant spaces on that end struggle to stay open.

That whole end of the Landing is dark and despressing. What is there now? A Nine West outlet?

[thelakelander]

That and Mongo's.  That's about it.

[copperfiend]

Considering the Omni and the T-U Center are right there, that end could be better utilized. But then again, you could say the same thing about the entire property.

[Doctor_K]

Considering the Omni and the T-U Center are right there, that end could be better utilized. But then again, you could say the same thing about the entire property.

True story.

The American Cafe's been there for a while too, if I'm not mistaken.  That makes three restaurants on the long-term. 

All this makes me wonder if this all doesn't go back to having its roots in the fact that the central plaza doesn't open up onto Water Street like we all wish it would.