A New Look for East Bay Street?

[Wacca Pilatka]

I agree with all that has been said in this post regarding Bay Street, and I understand what is either beginning to happen or is happening on Bay Street relative to entertainment, bars, restaurants, etc...i.e., it appears that Bay Street is trying to become, or the City is prodding it to become downtown's entertainment destination sans "The Landing."

This is fine and dandy, but you know what?  I think it would have been more appropriate a decade or more ago, when LaVilla sat with empty grass lots, to make Lavilla downtown's entertainment district; I know, it's not on the River, it's a bit displaced from the central core, and it would take great effort to travel to LaVilla to get drunk; well, with all the talk about light rail, street cars, extending the skyway, and iinstigating other modes of transportation downtown and in the central core and beyond, I am sure someone, hopefully our powers that be in City Hall, with all of the moula they make could have come up with innovative ways of solving the transportation problem.

Though LaVilla is no longer a black neighborhood (for the most part), it had a rich history of entertainment, bars, movie theaters, restaurants, etc., and I'm sure if someone had thought of that theme for LaVilla, and LaVilla had progressed into downtown's entertainment district, it would have sparked other types of growth in and around that area.

Heights Unknown

From what I've seen of the River City Renaissance plans, there was thought given to this, but unfortunately destruction won out over taking advantage of the remaining fabric and venues in LaVilla (except for the Ritz). 

I would badly like to see Genovar's Hall restored as a venue with souvenirs and performances recognizing its historical importance.  Of all the "If Jacksonville had vision..." ideas mentioned on this site, that one is my favorite.

Any word on any sort of progress with Genovar's?  And has anything been mentioned lately about future uses for Old Stanton?

[heights unknown]

I am beginning to think that the "good ole boy" network had much to do with LaVilla not becoming an entertainment district; not to bring up race because I am not a racist, prejuidice, or into drama, but let's face it, LaVilla was a black neighborhood and I am sure the old stigma and feelings in the good ole boy network relative to that issue drew up negative thoughts and sentiments in that regard. 

This is why we (Jacksonville) need fresh, vigorous, and well focused leaders with an international, national and worldly "feel" in Jacksonville who are not a part of that network to lead and direct this City into the prosperous and successful city that it wants to be, yearns to be, and should be.

Heights Unknown