2017 State of Downtown Report

[itsfantastic1]

Just wondered if anyone had a chance to browse the 2017 State of Downtown Report. It paints a very rosy picture of downtown and I'm extremely optimistic about the direction Downtown is heading. Any interesting note was that they plan by 2025 to have over 6,000 residents in downtown. I was hoping for a larger push to get that magic 10K number that spurs other developments.

http://downtownjacksonville.org/Media/Publications.aspx

[tufsu1]

^ the 6,000 figure is based on units under construction or planned - it seems likely that additional units will be proposed over the next 7 years - and also likely that some of the units planned will never be built.

[KenFSU]

My favorite stats:

1) 96% occupancy for downtown residential.

2) Of the 5,000 residents living downtown, 86% are satisfied or very satisfied with downtown Jacksonville living.

3) Even better, of the 55,000 who come downtown for work, rather than by choice, nearly 80% of them either like or love working downtown.

These are the type of stats that drives development.

[jaxnyc79]

^ the 6,000 figure is based on units under construction or planned - it seems likely that additional units will be proposed over the next 7 years - and also likely that some of the units planned will never be built.

I believe this is in reference to units, not number of residents.  Probably average of 2 residents per unit, and they're projecting a doubling of units by 2025.  With an average of 250 units per project, that's like 12-13 projects by 2025, which is reasonable.  I agree the more residents, the better.  I believe downtown Jax should aim to be the residential preference for the majority of apartment/condo-dwelling newcomers to Jacksonville.  That would take a major re-branding campaign, to at least create the impression that downtown is trendy and alluring to sensibilities of the region's innovators and cognoscenti

[Steve]

My favorite stats:

1) 96% occupancy for downtown residential.

2) Of the 5,000 residents living downtown, 86% are satisfied or very satisfied with downtown Jacksonville living.

3) Even better, of the 55,000 who come downtown for work, rather than by choice, nearly 80% of them either like or love working downtown.

These are the type of stats that drives development.

2 and 3 are almost unbelievably good.

[Captain Zissou]

^I can say that I love working in downtown Jax.  My only complaint is I wish we had a small grocer down here with prepared foods.  If you're stuck in a meeting until 2 and can't get away for lunch, you're pretty out of luck for food.  At least 2 days a week I find myself wishing for a grab and go place in the afternoon

[Captain Zissou]

An observation: 200 Riverside is listed as under construction

[KenFSU]

^I can say that I love working in downtown Jax.  My only complaint is I wish we had a small grocer down here with prepared foods.  If you're stuck in a meeting until 2 and can't get away for lunch, you're pretty out of luck for food.  At least 2 days a week I find myself wishing for a grab and go place in the afternoon

Me too, I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.*

*Though I'd settle for the beach if I had to

And I'm totally with you on the complaint.

At least once or twice I week, I end up getting in my car and driving over to the Brooklyn Fresh Market or Riverside Publix.

The bodega at the Trio will be a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.

[Kerry]

44,000 parking space and 2.3 miles of walk/bike trail.  That sums up the problems facing downtown Jax.

[KenFSU]

^I can say that I love working in downtown Jax.  My only complaint is I wish we had a small grocer down here with prepared foods.  If you're stuck in a meeting until 2 and can't get away for lunch, you're pretty out of luck for food.  At least 2 days a week I find myself wishing for a grab and go place in the afternoon

And I'm totally with you on the complaint.

At least once or twice I week, I end up getting in my car and driving over to the Brooklyn Fresh Market or Riverside Publix.

This reminds me of of my youth 20 years ago when my coworkers were enjoying sweet lunches while I brown bagged it with cheap,healthy meals and got the eye rolls when I said the savings went into the stock market.
Of course, It is different now as I had the advantage of being able to shop ahead of time and they made things that allowed you to keep things warm and cool

Yeah, it's delicious, but you start to feel guilty spending like $11-$20 a day for lunch at Bellwether, Olio, Cowford, Candy Apple, Indochine, Burrito Gallery, etc. Even Toss Green, you put any kind of protein on that salad, you're spending like $13.

Seems like downtown has a nice variety of higher end lunch spots, a couple of super cheap lower-end spots that routinely get closed by the health inspector (Courtyard Cafe, Big Pete's etc.), and a pretty meager selection of those clean, mid-range places where you can get a decent, healthy meal for like $7-$9.

People hate chains, but I'd gladly take a Chipotle, Panera, Al's, Jason's Deli, Tijuana Flats, etc. to fill in that sweet spot where you can run in, grab something, not have to tip, and be out the door in 20 minutes.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I guess for decent mid-range places, there's Super Food & Brew, Azucena, Happy Grilled Cheese, Magnificat, Zodiac.  I guess Happy Grilled doesn't fall into the healthy category.

[MusicMan]

FYI a freakin' Starbucks downtown could help with that. They offer some excellent healthy choices for $7.00 or less.

Still cannot believe not one landlord downtown has not been able to bring in a Starbucks. Name another town our size without one SB in it's urban core.

[KenFSU]

FYI a freakin' Starbucks downtown could help with that. They offer some excellent healthy choices for $7.00 or less.

Still cannot believe not one landlord downtown has not been able to bring in a Starbucks. Name another town our size without one SB in it's urban core.

The MOCA gift shop spot at the corner of Duval and Laura would have been perfect.

[Kerry]

I'm surprised there is this much trouble finding something to eat.  The report says there are 107 places to eat across downtown.

[Captain Zissou]

Yeah, it's delicious, but you start to feel guilty spending like $11-$20 a day for lunch at Bellwether, Olio, Cowford, Candy Apple, Indochine, Burrito Gallery, etc. Even Toss Green, you put any kind of protein on that salad, you're spending like $13.

The emperor bowl at Tossgreen is my go to lunch at 1:30 when the line dies down.  $9.09 for chicken, black beans, rice, pico de gallo, corn, peppers, cheese and sauce.  Delicious, filling, and no tip needed.  (Please see this Tossgreen and give me a sponsorship)