The DIA and Lori Boyer Are Doing a Phenomenal Job

[Joey Mackey]

lol the title of this thread is becoming a good meme.

[jaxlongtimer]

As downtown projects come to Jax to die, new ones bloom in NYC.  Check out this proposed riverfront project adjacent to the United Nations, contingent on obtaining a casino license:

Two skyscrapers joined by daring cantilevered 'skybridge' to soar over New York

A pair of skyscrapers connected by a cantilevered "skybridge" and a rooftop infinity pool is set to join the New York City skyline, as developers unveiled a proposal for a new megaproject just south of the United Nations headquarters on Monday.

Designed by architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 615-foot-tall towers will contain two hotels, while a soaring lobby across the top will house restaurants, bars, an art gallery a glass-floored (and glass-ceilinged) viewing platform and — should a license be granted — a subterranean casino.

Along with two new residential towers, the skyscrapers will flank the newly unveiled Freedom Plaza development, a three-block-long public park with retail spaces and a new "Museum of Freedom and Democracy."....

....Bjarke Ingels, the Danish founder and creative director of BIG, said his firm's design looks to extend the greenery that architects Le Corbusier, Wallace Harrison and Oscar Niemeyer created at the neighboring UN building.

"We continue to build on these architectural principles by uniting three city blocks to form a public green space reaching from 1st Avenue to the East River overlook, creating a green connection all the way to the water's edge," said Ingels in a press statement.....

....The Möbius strip-shaped building, overlooking the river, winds on top of itself creating outdoor walking paths. BIG described the design as an homage to the amphitheaters built by the Ancient Greeks, the creators of modern democracy....

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/15/style/freedom-plaza-skyscrapers-skybridge-new-york/index.html

[Tacachale]

The discussion of the dead projects was, shall we say, unfortunately timed, but there's nothing new or unexpected there. The projects have been dead for a while, and in the current state of things, such big private projects will be tougher to get off the ground in the near future. In the meanwhile we can and are focusing on things that can get moving forward in the short and mid term. That includes investment in our public spaces, infrastructure work, the coming stadium deals projects of various sizes. I'm pretty optimistic about seeing measurable positive change.

[Ken_FSU]

In the meanwhile we can and are focusing on things that can get moving forward in the short and mid term. That includes investment in our public spaces, infrastructure work, the coming stadium deals projects of various sizes. I'm pretty optimistic about seeing measurable positive change.

Feels like the way to go, especially in this capital market. Create truly great public spaces, and developers will pay to be near them, rather than demand millions in incentives. It's similar to what I was getting at with the James Weldon Johnson article a week or two back. How much more desirable would Mags, Snyder, the Main Library retail bays, Ron's apartments, Jacobs, the Trio, etc. be if we invested heavily in JWJP? Would pay for itself on the back end.

The plans for Shipyards West are out there, but I'm also super curious to see if the City can find a way to turn the flex field at Daily's Place into a unique public asset now that it's back in the hands of the parks department.

[heights unknown]

Tho

As downtown projects come to Jax to die, new ones bloom in NYC.  Check out this proposed riverfront project adjacent to the United Nations, contingent on obtaining a casino license:

Two skyscrapers joined by daring cantilevered 'skybridge' to soar over New York

A pair of skyscrapers connected by a cantilevered "skybridge" and a rooftop infinity pool is set to join the New York City skyline, as developers unveiled a proposal for a new megaproject just south of the United Nations headquarters on Monday.

Designed by architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 615-foot-tall towers will contain two hotels, while a soaring lobby across the top will house restaurants, bars, an art gallery a glass-floored (and glass-ceilinged) viewing platform and — should a license be granted — a subterranean casino.

Along with two new residential towers, the skyscrapers will flank the newly unveiled Freedom Plaza development, a three-block-long public park with retail spaces and a new "Museum of Freedom and Democracy."....

....Bjarke Ingels, the Danish founder and creative director of BIG, said his firm's design looks to extend the greenery that architects Le Corbusier, Wallace Harrison and Oscar Niemeyer created at the neighboring UN building.

"We continue to build on these architectural principles by uniting three city blocks to form a public green space reaching from 1st Avenue to the East River overlook, creating a green connection all the way to the water's edge," said Ingels in a press statement.....

....The Möbius strip-shaped building, overlooking the river, winds on top of itself creating outdoor walking paths. BIG described the design as an homage to the amphitheaters built by the Ancient Greeks, the creators of modern democracy....

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/15/style/freedom-plaza-skyscrapers-skybridge-new-york/index.html

Two, or even one of those buildings would look super on our waterfront; and the irony of it all is, over the past 20 years or so, we had the chance to have many of those skyscrapers and buildings in our urban core/downtown; and just think, if all of those proposals had come to fruition, Jax would look like Seattle and would have the 2nd best skyline in the state of Florida. Oh well.

[Captain Zissou]

The plans for Shipyards West are out there, but I'm also super curious to see if the City can find a way to turn the flex field at Daily's Place into a unique public asset now that it's back in the hands of the parks department.

The Jaguars Foundation just wrapped up a 3 day youth flag football tournament and mini-camp at the stadium and flex field.  There have been a few flag football tournaments in the facility since it was turned back over to the city. There is a kickball tournament coming up later in the spring and there have been a number of prayer events that have brought in thousands of people.

[Captain Zissou]

https://dtjax.com/events/jacksonville-free-yoga-downtown/2024-02-20/

Another event at the Flex Field.  Free Yoga every Tuesday in February.  Glad to see that this space is getting used by the public.  Would be curious to see the fee structure for rentals.

[Joey Mackey]

Circling back to some of the recently announced dead projects. I have to imagine there is some interest from the Gateway Group in developing the Ambassador Hotel and the Independent Life Building, as those are two seriously blighted large buildings right on the edge of their planned Pearl Street District.

[heights unknown]

Circling back to some of the recently announced dead projects. I have to imagine there is some interest from the Gateway Group in developing the Ambassador Hotel and the Independent Life Building, as those are two seriously blighted large buildings right on the edge of their planned Pearl Street District.

I would have to imagine there's no firm evidence that they are interested, but it sure would be nice if they are. I would also imagine that if they are interested, they might intensely renovate those buildings to fit their scheme relative to the Pearl Street District.

[Ken_FSU]

https://dtjax.com/events/jacksonville-free-yoga-downtown/2024-02-20/

Another event at the Flex Field.  Free Yoga every Tuesday in February.  Glad to see that this space is getting used by the public.  Would be curious to see the fee structure for rentals.

Good stuff, I love it, thanks for passing along!

Would be cool to see the sliding doors opened up for events when the weather gets nicer.

[Florida Power And Light]

lol the title of this thread is becoming a good meme.

Indeed

News For Jax more prescient than Jaxson....

[Ken_FSU]

Don't know the details, but Superfood owners are looking to sell their space.

[Zac T]

The issue with Super Food, similar to Burrito Gallery, has to do with the new owners rather than the state of Downtown. It seems they bit off more than they could chew.

Super Food currently leases their space and I can say with 99% confidence they have not made any indication to the landlord that they intend to close or sell the restaurant so I would be surprised

[marcuscnelson]

Nate Monroe's column today is calling for Lori Boyer's ouster.

[Charles Hunter]

Nate gets it right, again.