Riverside Arts Market Opens

[RAMROD1]

The Arts Market infrastructure was a joint effort by the FDOT, City of Jacksonville, FDEP, JEA, and Fidelity National Financial... all contributing in some fashion to the construction of the Market site.  FDOT used funds that would have been used to build a retention pond, fencing, and some landscaping; COJ used funding in place for the Riverwalk to build the restrooms and entertainment pavilion and terrace; Fidelity needed parking so contributed funds for paving; and so on.  The net additional cost to the city and state governments was not large, so in effect, by good cooperative planning by all the parties, the city got the finest public market site in the United States. 

The initial idea was contributed by Dr. Wayne Wood, founder of RAP, who had visited the Portland Saturday Market and on returning to Jacksonville, learned that FDOT was designing a new Fuller Warren Bridge and contacted FDOT with the suggestion of duplicating what Portland had done.  The good fortune is that COJ was in the design process for the Northbank Riverwalk and architect Melody Bishop (a former RAP executive director) enthusiastically supported the vision and designed a superb market.  The other extremely fortunate things were (a) the bridge is adjacent to corporate offices which have largely vacant parking lots on Saturdays and were willing to allow Market visitors to use them, and (b) RAP will willing to utilize their extensive volunteer base and event management knowledge (home tour, Riverside Arts Festival, Lumenaria, Station Celebration) to organize and develop the Market.  An alignment of the planets that is quite remarkable, and wonderful for Jacksonville.

[BridgeTroll]

An alignment of the planets that is quite remarkable, and wonderful for Jacksonville.

This sort of alignment does not seem to happen often enough but the success of RAM should grease the skids for future alignments in Jacksonville.

[grimss]

Sorry, I just have to post this (charming) "Ode to the Riverside Market," pulled off the TU:

Here's what you can expect to find at the new Riverside Arts Market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday under the Fuller Warren Bridge at Riverside Avenue.

Necklaces, bracelets, baubles and rings,
People carrying bags full of things,
Tomatoes, peppers, teas and honey,
Plenty of ways to spend your money,
Drummers and singers and improv groups,
A lady dancing with Hula-Hoops,
Kettle corn, candy and chicken pie,
A cute little onesie in tie-dye,
Labs, Dalmatians, spaniels, Scotties,
Real restrooms (no Porta Potties),
Paintings and sculptures, teas and cheese,
Lots of shade and a river breeze,
Orchids, eggs, pecans and candles,
Pickles, pots and flip-flop sandals,
Bird feeders, beads, a huge silk rose,
Bows for your hair, rings for your toes,
Scores of artists, each under a tent,
A fine Saturday, very well spent.
javascript:void(0);

[Steve]

Many restaurants stocked up on food only throw it away because the locals did not want to get out.  They were not happy at all. For them the event cost them money, that wouldn't make anyone happy.

If memory serves, Carnival was already at the port before the SB was held. While the SB was an opportunity to wine and dine, there is no evidence that new business resulted from it.  If there was, you can bet the city and the Cof C would have boasted of it.

The widening of the Panama Canal, increasing imports from China,etc.  and the city's location are the reasons the ports have added business.  Savannah's port is booming too and it did not host a comparable event.   

I will credit the renovation work that occurred on Bay St. to the SB, but putting a similiar amount into a revolving historic renovation fund would have accomplished the same thing, and the money would be returned to continue with more.

I just don't think Jax got it's money's worth because the momentum it created seemed to immediately disipate.

The main reason why Jacksonville didn't get its money's worth is because this administration doesn't seem to understand a good opportunity when it slaps them in the face.  Think of revitalization as a crew shell.  Delaney was rowing with about full force.  When Peyton came in, he stopped rowing.  Now, the natural moment kept us going for a little while, then the Super Bowl came.  This was like a gust of wind.  It wasn't going to make or break anything, it was just going to give us a little push.  We had to pick up the oars, and we simply didn't do that.

[urbanlibertarian]

BIG cudos to Dr. Wayne Wood who in addition to concieving and pushing for RAM has done tremendous work documenting and promoting local history and architecture.
Damn fine optometrist, too.

[mtraininjax]

Does anyone realize that 40,000 people is half the Jaguar stadium, when filled? That is a helluva lot of people in that small area.

[ProjectMaximus]

Does anyone realize that 40,000 people is half the Jaguar stadium, when filled? That is a helluva lot of people in that small area.

LOL. yes, they estimated about 10,000 people at any given time. 40,000 was the total for the day.

[Lunican]

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4443482&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

Riverside Arts Market from Michael Walter on Vimeo.

[mtraininjax]

Nice video, however, if that shows 10,000 people, then we have 3 million people living in Duval County.

Correction, that looked more like a one thousand, maybe, more like an average crowd for the San Marco Artists festival. Every crowd starts big, the real test will be when its 99 outside and it feels like 120 this summer, how many will stay and how many will, well, wilt. To keep the crowds, IMO, they need to have it both Saturday and Sunday with different vendors for both days. There are already more vendors than spots.

[BridgeTroll]

Dude... Clearly... obviously... 10,000 do not show up at one time.  It is not a concert or a baseball game.  It is an all day market.  People come and go... ALL DAY LONG.  Most stay for an hour or two.  Over the course of the day an average of 10,000 people show up at RAM.

There are already more vendors than spots.

This is a good thing... as it ensures variety over the course of time.

[CrysG]

99 outside and it feels like 120 this summer, how many will stay and how many will, well, wilt.

That is some of the draw that it's under the Fuller Warren Bridge. It's also not 120 at sun up or in the evening. If people are willing to come out to RAM in a nor'easter with nothing but rain people will come out in the summer.

[Shwaz]

Nice video, however, if that shows 10,000 people, then we have 3 million people living in Duval County.

Correction, that looked more like a one thousand, maybe, more like an average crowd for the San Marco Artists festival. Every crowd starts big, the real test will be when its 99 outside and it feels like 120 this summer, how many will stay and how many will, well, wilt. To keep the crowds, IMO, they need to have it both Saturday and Sunday with different vendors for both days. There are already more vendors than spots.

I don't know how you took a head count in this video which is shot at artsy angles and doesn't spot light the crowd at all.

I don't think the heat is going to be a big factor for RAM. We live in FL what else should we expect? It's not like people just stay in doors June-Sept.

[hanjin1]

I've been when it has opened and when it's about to close. And it always has a lot of people there at all times, so I can see where 10,000 will have shown up for that day. I do wish that there was a Sunday Arts Market as well, just in case for the people that have to be doing something on Saturday. Of course if there was an Arts Market in Springfield one day, maybe they could do it on a Sunday.

[hanjin1]

If mtrain is right, then I guess no one goes to the zoo in the summer as well or Disney World or outside period. I think for an hour or 2 of walking around, summer heat especially in the shade will be tolerable.

[BridgeTroll]

If mtrain is right, then I guess no one goes to the zoo in the summer as well or Disney World or outside period. I think for an hour or 2 of walking around, summer heat especially in the shade will be tolerable.

Excellent point...