Construction begins on Courthouse

[thelakelander]

The city will probably issue an RFP for the redevelopment of that site.

[Ron Mexico]

Ugh, let's hope it is for something ligit.

Perhaps that would be a good spot for some greenspace and the Maritime museum?  City already owns it and it would be a nice thing to have on the northbank to tie it to the riverwalk.

[thelakelander]

I think it would be a great spot for convention center with the Hyatt, Landing and Bay Street strip nearby.  Since the city already owns it, its probably the cheapest solution for a center that makes sense because getting the thing out of the Prime Osborn will help create an efficient transportation center.  With LandMar going belly up on the Shipyards, that site could come into play for additional greenspace and cultural uses.

[Ron Mexico]

Convention center would be great.  If there was some vision.  Having something on the river tied into the landing would make sense.  that is what make Baltimore so successful.

[Seraphs]

Didn't Peyton hint something about a convention center near The Haytt, saying it would be a long time before a hotel of it's size would be built near the existing convention center?

[Adam Hollingsworth]

The Mayor said that with the new courthouse under construction, it is time to begin thinking about the reuse of the current courthouse and city hall annex properties.  And, while it's a little presumptuous to assume that the shipyards property is going to be back in city hands, some discussion for that site may be appropriate too.  On Thursday, the mayor said the government complex on Bay Street may be the place to begin convention center conversation, as it is on the river, next to the 1,000-room Hyatt and near the Landing entertainment complex.  Look forward to hearing your thoughts...

[ProjectMaximus]

^i think it sounds terrific. I also think I've heard that idea many times already...on this site.

[thelakelander]

He is dead on about the current courthouse site and annex being the best location for a future convention center.  For convention centers to be a success, what they are adjacent to is just as important as what's inside of them.  The courthouse site is attractive for the following reasons:

1. The Hyatt

A successful convention center needs a convention center hotel.  The 966 unit Hyatt, is our convention center hotel.  Locating a convention complex next door would mean we would not have to give heavy incentives to another hotel group to construct a project that the downtown market can't support.

2. Bay Street Town Center

Convention centers need to have entertainment uses nearby.  With the courthouse site, visitors would be in walking distance to Bay Street's nightlife, the Landing's restaurants and the Florida Theater. 

3. Existing businesses

Although convention centers themselves may not turn a profit, they do bring generate income for the local business community.  Did anyone see the large amount of people who showed up at the Prime Osborn for the job fair this week?  Imagine if crowds that size were walking to a convention center close to the heart of the Northbank.  A significant number of vacant storefronts would be filled with additional retailers, restaurants, bars and cultural establishments.

4. We already own the land

Since the city already owns the land and the Hyatt, Landing and Bay Street being adjacent, we only have to worry about the construction of the facility itself.  Also with the Hyatt and the Landing nearby, a possibility exists for a facility constructed with public/private dollars.  In the end, that's a win-win for the entire community.

[Ocklawaha]

The Mayor said that with the new courthouse under construction, it is time to begin thinking about the reuse of the current courthouse and city hall annex properties.  And, while it's a little presumptuous to assume that the shipyards property is going to be back in city hands, some discussion for that site may be appropriate too.  On Thursday, the mayor said the government complex on Bay Street may be the place to begin convention center conversation, as it is on the river, next to the 1,000-room Hyatt and near the Landing entertainment complex.  Look forward to hearing your thoughts...

Getting that Convention Center OUT of the Jacksonville Transportation Center would be a legacy Peyton could put in stone. Not only would it fix the tiny, ill placed convention center, it would sweep away a major obstacle to making JTC a true Transportation Center, rather then a Transportation Neighborhood... I think I'd even spring for a sandstone marker that told this story, yes, I would put his name in stone! BRAVO!

PS: Can I hit the plunger on the demolition of that giant albatross of exhibit area behind the classic train stations? Oh PLEASE! Pretty PLEASE!

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

Since the city already owns the land and the Hyatt, Landing and Bay Street being adjacent, we only have to worry about the construction of the facility itself.  Also with the Hyatt and the Landing nearby, a possibility exists for a facility constructed with public/private dollars.  In the end, that's a win-win for the entire community.

Another thing Lake, something I recently discovered and scoped out. A streetcar line down Water/Independence/Court House Dr would not HAVE to turn onto Newnan, but could continue through green space, convention area etc, for two more blocks before making the turn on Market or Liberty next to Berkman.

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Getting that Convention Center OUT of the Jacksonville Transportation Center would be a legacy Peyton could put in stone. Not only would it fix the tiny, ill placed convention center, it would sweep away a major obstacle to making JTC a true Transportation Center, rather then a Transportation Neighborhood... I think I'd even spring for a sandstone marker that told this story, yes, I would put his name in stone! BRAVO!

PS: Can I hit the plunger on the demolition of that giant albatross of exhibit area behind the classic train stations? Oh PLEASE! Pretty PLEASE!

OCKLAWAHA

I have a better idea...keep the exhibit hall space and turn it into offices fro JTA, the TPO, and the traffic management center....as well as the bus station, etc.....that way, there is virtually no need to build any new buildings, and the money saved (which isn't there right now anyway) could go to other transit needs.

And, let's get real...the proposed transportation center is expected to cost about $150 million and would not be seen in a favorable light by most citizens...on the other hand, $250+ million for a new convention center would likely be much more popular, especially considering the spinoff revenue that would be generated downtown!

[reednavy]

However, this transit center will consolidate all forms of transit in the city at one location, which is needed. The transit center will play a critical role in getting Amtrak back downtown and our future in commuter rail.

I wonder how much sq. footage of exhibition space can be built upon the old courthouse and city hall site. This includes tearing down the old city hall tower or whatever that bricked mess is.

[thelakelander]

If we get creative, around 400,000sf.  However, all we really need is 200,000 - 250,000sf of exhibition space.

[tufsu1]

However, this transit center will consolidate all forms of transit in the city at one location, which is needed. The transit center will play a critical role in getting Amtrak back downtown and our future in commuter rail.

agreed...I'm all for the transportation center...I'm just saying that people will get behind spending $ on a convention center more easily....and if the transportation center can be housed in the Prime Osborn, we could probably d the necessary retrofits for less than $50 million.

[heights unknown]

He is dead on about the current courthouse site and annex being the best location for a future convention center.  For convention centers to be a success, what they are adjacent to is just as important as what's inside of them.  The courthouse site is attractive for the following reasons:

1. The Hyatt

A successful convention center needs a convention center hotel.  The 966 unit Hyatt, is our convention center hotel.  Locating a convention complex next door would mean we would not have to give heavy incentives to another hotel group to construct a project that the downtown market can't support.

2. Bay Street Town Center

Convention centers need to have entertainment uses nearby.  With the courthouse site, visitors would be in walking distance to Bay Street's nightlife, the Landing's restaurants and the Florida Theater. 

3. Existing businesses

Although convention centers themselves may not turn a profit, they do bring generate income for the local business community.  Did anyone see the large amount of people who showed up at the Prime Osborn for the job fair this week?  Imagine if crowds that size were walking to a convention center close to the heart of the Northbank.  A significant number of vacant storefronts would be filled with additional retailers, restaurants, bars and cultural establishments.

4. We already own the land

Since the city already owns the land and the Hyatt, Landing and Bay Street being adjacent, we only have to worry about the construction of the facility itself.  Also with the Hyatt and the Landing nearby, a possibility exists for a facility constructed with public/private dollars.  In the end, that's a win-win for the entire community.

Good job Lake, and I concur.  The foundation is in place for a convention center in that spot downtown, just raze what's already there, and build a convention center; or, if we have people that are really heart broken about razing the old courthouse and city hall, then renovate those buildings and add additional facilities in and around them for a new convention center.

Heights Unknown