Downtown Construction Update - June 2009

[Coolyfett]

The Main Street Lofts look very UN-Jacksonville....I'm impressed. What is the Bay Street thing? More bars/places to eat?

[coredumped]

The bay street is a "streetscape" project. according to the city:
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Public+Works/Construction+Projects/Streetscape+Projects.htm

Streetscape projects are typically not as intensive as road widening projects.  Generally, target areas are enhanced with features such as landscaping, brick or paver sidewalks and accents, specialized crosswalks or historic light fixtures, though drainage or utility improvements may also be included in the scope of work.

Thanks for the construction update. They're my favorite part of reading metrojacksonville.com 

[exnewsman]

The two Hilton-brand hotels at Kings Ave Station have their soft opening June 29.  Took a tour a couple weeks ago.  Both hotels are very nice.  There is a pice on the June edition of the JTA Making Moves TV show online (near the end) that shows off the rooms of each.  Dark wood furniture. Granite countertops, Stainless appliances.

[tufsu1]

Where is SportsMania going in at ?

across from Hooters...where the Edgewater Treasures shop was

[Charles Hunter]

I think the Bay Street project also includes extending the 2-way part another block west, so you can turn east (toward the stadium) onto Bay from the Main Street Bridge ramp to Ocean Street.

[mtraininjax]

The two Hilton-brand hotels at Kings Ave Station have their soft opening June 29.

Come to Jacksonville, Stay 2 blocks of the river with a nice view of I-95, we do know how to sell shinola!

[5PointsGuy]

Yup, Bay will be turned into a 2-way road between Main and Ocean, which would allow people to immediately turn onto Bay from Main.

[reednavy]

The two Hilton-brand hotels at Kings Ave Station have their soft opening June 29.

Come to Jacksonville, Stay 2 blocks of the river with a nice view of I-95, we do know how to sell shinola!

Dude, your negativity has gotten old, it was old yesterday.

For a hotel of it's size and brand, it couldn't afford to be built on the river and the number of rooms would've been rediculously low. These two brands from Hilton cater mainly to business travelers, and the last thing on their minds is probably the view from the room. I think it fills a little bit of the niche that doesn't really exist in the downtown area. Now, if we could do something with the two suburban looking hotels closer to the river and replace the Wyndham with something nicer, it'd be better.

[fsu813]

"Good for Peterbrooke...I'm enjoying the suspense.  I also am eagerly awaiting City Kidz and Uptown Market.  Now lets get the main street road construction finished and we can finally begin to move on to more revitalization in Springfield.  I feel like the roadwork is holding us back a bit." - brainstormer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Substantial construction completion is due to end in October. They will make small corrections or changes for a month after, but all the major work will be done in Oct.

[Seraphs]

Is it just me, or does "Oral Explosions" sound like a sex act?

It doesn't necessarily sound like a sex act to me, however, it isn't a good name for a restaurant. 
What's in a name?  In my opinion a name can make or break a business, especially a restaurant.

[jaxlore]

The two Hilton-brand hotels at Kings Ave Station have their soft opening June 29.

Come to Jacksonville, Stay 2 blocks of the river with a nice view of I-95, we do know how to sell shinola!

yeah but you have locals right across the street, who could ask for anything more. I will say this will probably put the kabosh on endo exo doing outside concerts/events.

[brainstormer]

yeah but you have locals right across the street, who could ask for anything more. I will say this will probably put the kabosh on endo exo doing outside concerts/events.

And you also have tons of local restaurants and shops within walking distance that will gladly welcome new business.  Easy access to the Skyway will allow someone just visiting Jacksonville to head to the Landing downtown.  The two hotels are a great addition to the area and a prime example of quality infill. 

[jason_contentdg]

^But these are the only hotels in the nation that overlook an interstate right?

[reednavy]

^But these are the only hotels in the nation that overlook an interstate right?

I know, the nerve of this! It's a travesty!

[Ocklawaha]

The Best Western in Abeline, Texas, has a view of the freeway that ends in downtown. Yet it manages to be a convention center, GARDEN OF EDEN, indoor gardens with a flowing creek, plus waterfalls. Oh and by the way MTrain, Who cares that there is a freeway outside?

The Best Western in Dulce, New Mexico, is the heart of the Apache Nation, there are powwow rooms, flute players, drummers, dancers, a narrow gauge railroad right-of-way, no through roads AT ALL, a couple of rotting cattle cars and Holy Moses, a UFO base. Each room comes with instructions on speaking to Native Americans (we don't want anyone on the war path)... Once inside, who cares that the conditions outside (the "Nation") are less then wealthy.

The Best Western at JTB and Southpointe is somewhere beyond excellent, screw the "continental Breakfast" and let's build a complete buffet dining room with ANYTHING the heart desires. Convention space, and a staff that rides the crest of the local business hotels, even with the view of two expressways.

The Best Western at Monterey, California, overlooks the sea on one side and a expressway + railroad on the east side. Fog rolls in during the evening, a distinct chill in the air, the sea is damn cold anytime - Alaska Current, you know... They are working on restoration of the old "DEL MONTE" a long defunct streamliner between the Bay Area and Monterey, killed at the outset of Amtrak by a goofy rule that said no trains under 150 miles. New rules for Amtrak and Rail California will add up to another visit by my family and I.

All this just to say, the Hilton is a beautiful property, the garage will offer some sound protection, and a future Skyway link will bring with it an unheard of novelty. We're not good at selling anything here, if we were we'd have a finished Skyway and a Streetcar System, all tied to feeder BRT. People would flock to our riverwalk, ride our transit, buy goods and services downtown. Just as peace and quiet may sell you on a hotel room in Hooker, Oklahoma, the romantic buzz of the city will sell me one.

OCKLAWAHA