Jacksonville Children’s Chorus moving to VyStar garage Downtown

[thelakelander]

The Jacksonville Children's Chorus is moving its headquarters to a 6,000-square-foot ground-floor space at VyStar Credit Union's new parking garage under construction along Forsyth Street Downtown.

"We are excited to welcome the Jacksonville Children's Chorus to this space and look forward to the additional energy and creativity they will bring downtown," VyStar President and CEO Brian Wolfburg said in a news release.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jacksonville-childrens-chorus-moving-to-vystar-garage-downtown

[fieldafm]

Terrible use for that high profile of a space. And its being heavily subsidized by Vystar.

[Steve]

Yea, I mean I like that it's something likely to be used outside of 9-5. That said, wouldn't we accomplish the same thing if it went on the 5th floor of the VyStar Tower?

[jaxlongtimer]

I am guessing that Vystar may have realized market demand for the space was not all that great for now so might as well have the Chorus actively use the space rather than leave it vacant for an indefinite period.  Wouldn't be surprised if the lease had an out for Vystar after some minimum time if Vystar saw a higher valued user for the space.  That would make it a win-win.

How many street level retail vacancies are there throughout Downtown currently?  Is the demand for more space at decent rents for Landlords existing presently?  Post COVID, it seems there is a dearth of Downtown office workers leaving retailers with a smaller customer base.

[landfall]

Disappointing but not unexpected.

This was supposed to be a prime spot to provide amenities to workers, residents and visitors but its dished out to a charitable organization because the market is impotent.

Between this and the derailment of the trio again this area of Downtown has been yet another in a long line of failures.

Even Vystar, one of the few DT success stories is in a mess after the outages and the collapse of the Heritage acquisition.

[heights unknown]

Dipstick Curry.

[Ken_FSU]

I am guessing that Vystar may have realized market demand for the space was not all that great for now so might as well have the Chorus actively use the space rather than leave it vacant for an indefinite period.  Wouldn't be surprised if the lease had an out for Vystar after some minimum time if Vystar saw a higher valued user for the space.

Long-term lease, per the Times-Union.

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/real-estate/2022/08/14/vystar-parking-garage-nears-completion-downtown-jacksonville/10213367002/

[MusicMan]

"Between this and the derailment of the trio again this area of Downtown has been yet another in a long line of failures."

Under no circumstance, and I mean NO CIRCUMSTANCE, are you allowed to describe anything in the downtown CBD a failure.

[heights unknown]

"Between this and the derailment of the trio again this area of Downtown has been yet another in a long line of failures."

Under no circumstance, and I mean NO CIRCUMSTANCE, are you allowed to describe anything in the downtown CBD a failure.

At least the North end of downtown (in the CBD) seems to be steaming along (or is it?). Seems to be a bit of activity there with the Ambassador, old Independent Life Building, First Baptist Building, etc. I am incensed at what happened with the trio. Maybe they're putting that on hold to shift money over to the Park and that scraper on Park property.

[Ken_FSU]

Doesn't sound like a pharmacy is in the plans.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/vystar-credit-union-after-the-outage

[thelakelander]

The Children's thing is taking the spot that would have been best for a pharmacy.

[fieldafm]

The Children's thing is taking the spot that would have been best for a pharmacy.

Vystar is subsidizing the childrens chorus. If you are going to subsidize something, then why not subsidize something that actually brings economic activity to the site 7 days a week? CVS was approached about this space with a subsidized rent offer, btw.