Khan interested in developing shipyards

[KenFSU]

Until there are more permanant residents DT, or at least DT is truly a destination for locals, I don't see that retail would work just off of office workers. It has never made a profit and brand name stores left even with reduced or free rent. The original 'it's about time' plans for the Landing were the best yet proposed, and that was because it added condos, offices and a hotel to what was already there as will as a rehab.       

For reference:

[TimmyB]

For reference:

When was this, Ken?  Recently or years ago?

[Steve]

Until there are more permanant residents DT, or at least DT is truly a destination for locals, I don't see that retail would work just off of office workers. It has never made a profit and brand name stores left even with reduced or free rent. The original 'it's about time' plans for the Landing were the best yet proposed, and that was because it added condos, offices and a hotel to what was already there as will as a rehab.       

Agreed - the plans were actually really well done until Sleiman and Peyton got into a pissing contest. Then, the free money in the market ran out.

[Steve]

Ken, that wasn't the "It's About Time" rendering. That was the Sleiman-Brown plan.

[Tacachale]

^Yes. The "About Time" proposal was much better.

Timmy B, that was years ago, under the previous mayoral administration. It was going to be heavily subsidized by the city (the Sleimans were major supporters of Mayor Brown). Mayor Curry wouldn't give anything for the Landing, and Sleiman refused to update the property without it, and here we are.

[KenFSU]

Ken, that wasn't the "It's About Time" rendering. That was the Sleiman-Brown plan.

Wait, I'm confused.

Sleiman-Brown didn't include a hotel component, office space, or pedestrian plaza at the end of Hogan, and it was separated from the river by that horrible road.

[Steve]

Ken, that wasn't the "It's About Time" rendering. That was the Sleiman-Brown plan.

Wait, I'm confused.

Sleiman-Brown didn't include a hotel component, office space, or pedestrian plaza at the end of Hogan, and it was separated from the river by that horrible road.

Ken, what you posted and the black and white graphic above are essentially the same plan, just a couple versions of it. I'll try to find the "It's About Time" version.

[thelakelander]

Vic, it depends on the type of retail. The downtown market is large enough to support a 10,000 square foot CVS or Walgreens. Even DT Tampa has had one for years, even during its downturn. We don't have a food hall in town at all. That concept would be more of a regional draw which would certainly appeal and attract DT workers during the weekdays also. If Hooters most successful location in Jax is at the Landing, then certainly a chain like McDonald's can make a go at it. Dollar General is in the process of adding 900 locations across the country. Perhaps their DGX concept could work here...sort of also serving as the little grocery store the Northbank lacks. You could even do mixed use with the existing structure, making some of it office, cultural (maybe the visitors center/museum this city lacks) or even craft brewery. While traditional retail won't work at the Landing or sports district, there are options that can work in DT Jax if the right spaces were available. Unfortunately, we've never tried with the Landing. Instead, for the last 15 years we've only focused on big dreams that require lots of public subsidies. Like the first concept. No way was there a market then to build an office tower. Same goes for all those towers in the District and Shipyards plans of today.

[thelakelander]

The first Sleiman redevelopment concept:

[Keith-N-Jax]

^ I saw nothing wrong this concept above, wasn't this supposed to be done before the 2005 Super Bowl? I believe the city didn't like those parking garages

[thelakelander]

Yes, people hit the fan over the buildings blocking river views and it being Sleiman owning the Landing.

[jaxnyc79]

Yes, people hit the fan over the buildings blocking river views and it being Sleiman owning the Landing.

OK, well now they have a dumpster in the Landing and a downtown about as vital as a barstool.

[FlaBoy]

I would personally like to see this on the FCN site and maybe something similar to what is in Louisville with 4th Street Live and incorporate the Doro Buildings into it.

I think the sea of parking around with certainly help. I also would not count on Jax attracting a second franchise anytime soon and 100% not the MLB. Logistically, the NHL would probably be the best bet with a few failing franchises and the nearest franchise in Tampa but the NBA may be a better cultural fit. Neither will be coming for another 15-20 years in a best case scenario. This will have to be driven by MiLB, concerts, events at the Arena, and the Jags.

[RattlerGator]

Yeah, we're not getting another franchise -- we're fortunate as hell to have the Jaguars. But, the minor league baseball franchise combined with the football stadium, multipurpose arena, and the amphitheater are a good base to make something pop fairly regularly. Especially if they can think through how to make a unique facility work in this unique market.

Obviously, I think they are going to figure it out. It may be 250,000 square feet but not using the mix found in other markets; they are going to incorporate some thing or things we're sorely lacking in this downtown and add that to dress out the space.

I'm suspecting there will be some interesting connection with the amphitheater. The lot is immediately adjacent and fronts the roadway that will almost certainly have additional traffic added from the removal of the elevated ramps from the Hart Bridge.

[marcuscnelson]

Yeah, we're not getting another franchise -- we're fortunate as hell to have the Jaguars. But, the minor league baseball franchise combined with the football stadium, multipurpose arena, and the amphitheater are a good base to make something pop fairly regularly. Especially if they can think through how to make a unique facility work in this unique market.

Obviously, I think they are going to figure it out. It may be 250,000 square feet but not using the mix found in other markets; they are going to incorporate some thing or things we're sorely lacking in this downtown and add that to dress out the space.

I'm suspecting there will be some interesting connection with the amphitheater. The lot is immediately adjacent and fronts the roadway that will almost certainly have additional traffic added from the removal of the elevated ramps from the Hart Bridge.

What's the chance that this could eventually include a new arena for the Armada? Any possibility of Robert Palmer looking into getting them back downtown?

Perhaps having the Jags, the Jumbo Shrimp, the Armada, plus (maybe?) the Giants together and constantly occurring one after the other could be enough critical mass to keep people coming back. Eventually get the hotel+Convention Center in, maybe see if Jax Aqua is still a thing that could get built, and there's the foundation for a growing entertainment district and expanded urban center.