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Casino coming to Jax?

Started by Zac T, July 14, 2021, 11:49:29 AM

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Ken_FSU

#15
July 15, 2021, 01:13:02 PM
More details courtesy the T-U, including more hints that suggest downtown Jacksonville would be the location.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2021/07/15/las-vegas-sands-prepares-ask-florida-voters-casino-expansion/7971662002/

Might be paywalled, but with the T-U currently offering a six-month digital subscription for $1, no excuse to not sub.

https://www.jacksonville.com/subscribenow?g2i_source=jacksonville.com&g2i_medium=subscribe&g2i_campaign=header&gps-source=CPTILELEFT&tpcc=CPTILELEFT

thelakelander

#16
July 15, 2021, 01:50:01 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on July 15, 2021, 01:13:02 PM
Might be paywalled, but with the T-U currently offering a six-month digital subscription for $1, no excuse to not sub.

https://www.jacksonville.com/subscribenow?g2i_source=jacksonville.com&g2i_medium=subscribe&g2i_campaign=header&gps-source=CPTILELEFT&tpcc=CPTILELEFT

If you have a public library card, put your card number in and you'll be allowed to read the TU and most of the other major papers for free: http://infoweb.newsbank.com/signin/JacksonvillePublicLibrary/NEWSBANK
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

thelakelander

#17
July 15, 2021, 01:54:51 PM
QuoteThe proposed amendment would not limit a casino to the current site of a cardroom, but instead says the license-holder could relocate to another site in the same county, provided the move occurs before Dec. 31, 2025.

In addition, the investment in the casino would have to be at least $250 million for a gaming complex that would include not only the casino floor but also related retail, hotel, entertainment, convention, financial and restaurant facilities.

Perfect for downtown and the Sports District.
"A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." - Muhammad Ali

Tacachale

#20
July 16, 2021, 09:31:20 AM
A Downtown location makes me a 100% supporter. Anywhere else makes me 100% neutral.
Do you believe that when the blue jay or another bird sings and the body is trembling, that is a signal that people are coming or something important is about to happen?

Jagsdrew

#21
July 16, 2021, 09:33:43 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on July 16, 2021, 09:31:20 AM
A Downtown location makes me a 100% supporter. Anywhere else makes me 100% neutral.

Three sites off the top of my head that could work DT:
Sports Complex
Shipyards
TU Site
Twitter: @Jagsdrew

CityLife

#22
July 16, 2021, 10:37:45 AM Last Edit: July 16, 2021, 10:51:37 AM by CityLife
There are a couple of things working against downtown.

1. The casino operators don't want anyone leaving the site. They want people spending all of their money on food, drink, and entertainment on the property. A location Downtown provides visitors the opportunity to easily walk to other events, entertainment, restaurants, and bars downtown. Sure, a Downtown location will attract more visitors than a suburban location, but many will come no matter where they put it. Especially with world-class pools and amenities.

2. Even though there is cumulatively a lot of vacant land downtown, assembling one large, contiguous tract is likely a challenge. The Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood is on 100 acres and the Tampa location is 37 acres (I'm sure they would prefer much larger if constructing this now). The Venetian (operated by Las Vegas Sands) is on 67 acres. A focal point of the hotel will likely be a Vegas/South Florida style pool/beach/bar system, which requires a lot of land.

See picture of the main pool at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood (there is another huge one not even visble) to get a feel for what would/could be built.

jaxjaguar

#23
July 16, 2021, 10:42:24 AM Last Edit: July 16, 2021, 10:44:20 AM by jaxjaguar
Quote from: Jagsdrew on July 16, 2021, 09:33:43 AM

Three sites off the top of my head that could work DT:
Sports Complex
Shipyards
TU Site

The more I think about it the more I prefer the TU site... It's highly visible from 4 of the major routes into / through downtown (95, 10, Acosta, Main), it's the perfect size, iconic and historic building, adaptive reuse is always a big win, the office floor plan would be pretty easy to convert to an open floor casino for slots, tables, bars, etc.

If they added additional structures to the site that were more vertical they could be used as a giant billboard (hotel/entertainment/residences). The new skyway station would be across the street and easily walkable under the ramp without interfering with traffic. This would be a benefit to all of the businesses, offices and hotels near Skyway stations as it would be a free convenient way to an entertainment destination and give people a reason to use the transit.

Can I borrow a hundred million bucks? I've got big ideas for a premier entertainment destination that would actually be a game changer. And yes there's room for Fudrucker's   :P

Papa33

#24
July 16, 2021, 11:21:38 AM
If this were to come to fruition, I would expect Jax Business Journal to prognosticate the "perfect" site that eventually becomes THE SITE, a la Dun & Bradstreet HQ.

CityLife

#25
July 16, 2021, 11:43:14 AM
Quote from: Papa33 on July 16, 2021, 11:21:38 AM
If this were to come to fruition, I would expect Jax Business Journal to prognosticate the "perfect" site that eventually becomes THE SITE, a la Dun & Bradstreet HQ.

If it's in the public realm, you can all but assume Las Vegas Sands already has at least one property under contract. Smart business people typically don't announce/confirm their intentions publicly without having prospective land under contract.

JaxJersey-licious

#26
July 16, 2021, 11:53:34 AM
I think the ideal concept for a casino in the core would be something like how the casino in Downtown Cleveland is laid out. Normally a stand alone casino strives to be all-inclusive where gambling, sleeping, eating, drinking, and entertainment are all within their grounds but the one in Cleveland and many of these downtown casinos limit their dining and nightlife options encouraging more people to explore more neighborhood venues.

I know current DT Jax doesn't exactly have that level of gravitas to take advantage of that kind of synergy, another option would be the casino operator sub-leasing space for other entertainment venues available to all ages and would not need anyone to have to step inside the casino itself. Would love to see a potential casino downtown go this route. 

Charles Hunter

#27
July 16, 2021, 12:03:24 PM
How many acres is the Prime Osborn site?

Snaketoz

#28
July 16, 2021, 12:09:40 PM
I would love it downtown, but I doubt there is enough space to allow a big complex.  Airport area/northside makes sense due to space.
"No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot."

jaxlongtimer

#29
July 16, 2021, 12:24:31 PM Last Edit: July 16, 2021, 12:26:31 PM by jaxlongtimer
I wonder if Duval is the only candidate.  Nassau and St. Johns could also be very appealing for a "resort" style casino and they have the land and more existing tourist oriented infrastructure/focus than Jax, especially in our Downtown area.

Over the years, St. Johns has been often mentioned as a serious candidate for a theme/amusement park so I believe that line of thinking would more likely parallel what a resort casino operator would be looking for.  Using St. Augustine's Spanish history as a theme (all casinos today appear to have one) would be a natural too.  Add the PGA and World Golf Hall of Fame, Ponte Vedra prestige and beaches and you have a very appealing mix.
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