A Downtown Jax Fun Zone

[jaxnyc79]

Just returning from a conference in Orlando.  While there, I took a drive along Universal Boulevard where I saw the sprawling Convention Center complexes.  Within walking distance of the centers are brand new Top Golf and Andretti Indoor Karting/Games facilities.  Both places are loads of fun and were quite busy for early afternoon on a Tuesday.  I know Jax is no Orlando, but if the city leased the land, might these gaming and recreation concepts work at the shipyards, until other uses of the land made market sense?  The Top Golf experience on the waterfront would be compelling, and both facilities don't appear to have expensive architectural requirements, and the city would take care of the real estate hurdle by leasing the land.  Perhaps these uses (Top Golf and Indoor Karting/Gaming) wouldn't require as much environmental remediation as well.  As for parking, maybe Stadium parking could be leveraged for this.  If a convention center comes to the waterfront, a "Fun Zone" at the Shipyards might make even more sense with the convention center providing an additional source of patronage.  I know Top Golf already exists on the east side of Jax along I-295, but could the market absorb another Top Golf experience on the riverfront, especially if there's a revamped Convention Center nearby?

[jaxjaguar]

Jax's equivalent of I-Drive is already being built by the Town Center. Top Golf was completed earlier this year, iFly Indoor SkyDiving is going in next door, Autobahn, Dave and Busters, and Main Event (while not in the immediate vicinity aren't too far away). I wouldn't be surprised to see other major attractions open in the immediate area around Top Golf soon. There's still a lot of free land there and these types of venues do well when clustered together, especially with their proximity to UNF.

[Jim]

Not many cities have multiple top Golf facilities in their metro regions.  Atlanta, Dallas and Houston the only ones I can find.

[ProjectMaximus]

Jax's equivalent of I-Drive is already being built by the Town Center. Top Golf was completed earlier this year, iFly Indoor SkyDiving is going in next door, Autobahn, Dave and Busters, and Main Event (while not in the immediate vicinity aren't too far away). I wouldn't be surprised to see other major attractions open in the immediate area around Top Golf soon. There's still a lot of free land there and these types of venues do well when clustered together, especially with their proximity to UNF.

Agreed. Sadly, I think the ship has sailed on this type of development in downtown.

[jaxrox]

Downtown's not dead. There are possibilities for many things. But I think the first thing that needs to be done downtown is unrelated to this posted topic.
For cryin' out loud, Curry, quit pissing money away making hemming park a no place to sit zone. Ok, off the soapbox about that, I know there's another thread directly addressing that issue.
From what I understand, Florida is a golfer's haven in general, so the mini golf thing near the university might be a good thing.

[Ittiporng]

I like to load as well.

[jaxnyc79]

Downtown's not dead. There are possibilities for many things. But I think the first thing that needs to be done downtown is unrelated to this posted topic.
For cryin' out loud, Curry, quit pissing money away making hemming park a no place to sit zone. Ok, off the soapbox about that, I know there's another thread directly addressing that issue.
From what I understand, Florida is a golfer's haven in general, so the mini golf thing near the university might be a good thing.

I have a hard time imagining a cool, whimsical, trendy urban gathering spot right in front of the entrance to a City Hall?  I think this blog stakes too much on Hemming Plaza's prospects. 

[remc86007]

I think Hemming Park's prospects will be vastly different if some residential density builds up North and West of it.

[jaxrox]

Well there are all those new apartments being built in and near lavilla, so who knows what will happen.. Like I said, downtown's not dead. But it surely needs more investments to grow and thrive long-term

[BenderRodriguez]

I think Hemming Park's prospects will be vastly different if some residential density builds up North and West of it.

Lofts at LaVilla is slated to open DEC 15. They are also planning on breaking ground on a second building to the complex with street level retail sometime in the spring. Lofts at Monroe has already broken ground and plans to be moving people in by April. That, alone, should be enough to see more activation of the greater downtown area. Including Hemming.

[ProjectMaximus]

breaking ground on a second building to the complex with street level retail sometime in the spring.

You got any details you can share about this? I think we were all speculating on another thread about whether or not they would include retail.

[BenderRodriguez]

breaking ground on a second building to the complex with street level retail sometime in the spring.

You got any details you can share about this? I think we were all speculating on another thread about whether or not they would include retail.

I can confirm that there definitely will be space for street level retail in the new phase for Lofts at LaVilla. I don't know any details for much beyond that for that building.

[jaxnyc79]

breaking ground on a second building to the complex with street level retail sometime in the spring.

You got any details you can share about this? I think we were all speculating on another thread about whether or not they would include retail.

I can confirm that there definitely will be space for street level retail in the new phase for Lofts at LaVilla. I don't know any details for much beyond that for that building.

I'm more excited by what's happening in LaVilla than anywhere else downtown.

[marcuscnelson]

I'm more excited by what's happening in LaVilla than anywhere else downtown.

Probably because more seems to be actively happening in LaVilla than anywhere else downtown.

[ProjectMaximus]

breaking ground on a second building to the complex with street level retail sometime in the spring.

You got any details you can share about this? I think we were all speculating on another thread about whether or not they would include retail.

I can confirm that there definitely will be space for street level retail in the new phase for Lofts at LaVilla. I don't know any details for much beyond that for that building.

I'm more excited by what's happening in LaVilla than anywhere else downtown.

I'm most pumped for the Trio, although I guess that hasn't "happened yet" to the extent LaVilla's projects are "happening."