Chicago Pizza coming to the Landing

[thelakelander]

Knock down the buildings?  We've been implementing that strategy since 1950 and all its led to is what we have today.  Maybe its time to keep and reuse unique old buildings as a part of a revitalization plan.

[gmpalmer]

We have?  Then why is arlington full of empty stores?  Downtown?  North Shore?  the Southside?  Springfield? 

I don't mean one or two, I mean rent every caterpillar within 300 miles and bulldoze every inch of blight.  This weekend if possible.

[ProjectMaximus]

We have?  Then why is arlington full of empty stores?  Downtown?  North Shore?  the Southside?  Springfield? 

I don't mean one or two, I mean rent every caterpillar within 300 miles and bulldoze every inch of blight.  This weekend if possible.

So you'd rather have empty dirt lots than empty buildings?

[77danj7]

wow...I'm really confused as to what knocking down all the empty buildings would change.  I would think that, as lakelander suggested, that we re-use our old buildings and get some activity in them.

[thelakelander]

This is what knocking down buildings, just to knock them down, gets you.







Imagine how better places like Savannah and Manhattan would be if they invested in dynamite Jacksonville-style?  This strategy has been in use all over downtown for over 50 years.  If its so successful, where are all of the people and new structures that were supposed to replace them?

By the way, those empty lots/building foundations now used for parking (images), were once a part of vibrant early Jacksonville Orthodox Jewish district (a future Metro Jacksonville story in the works).

[brapt]

I see these desolate lots every day and it's depressing.  There is a lot of history in downtown Jacksonville that we can't get back.  The hope is we make downtown fixable, the hope is that around the corner will one day be a revitalized, bustling Jacksonville Terminal to make us all proud.

[gmpalmer]

i think i said knock them down, cart away the concrete, and plant gardens.
and not just downtown
the whole idea is to eliminate sprawl.

[Shwaz]

i think i said knock them down, cart away the concrete, and plant gardens.
and not just downtown
the whole idea is to eliminate sprawl.

I think you missed the point. You asked for light rail to bring people downtown again.. but for what... to visit the gardens?

[tufsu1]

and once you tear down buildings (leaving empty space) almost any development beyond the gardens could be construed as sprawl too.

[Steve]

Please name me one major metro that has used this approach, and found it to be successful.

[hanjin1]

Please name me one major metro that has used this approach, and found it to be successful.

Jacksonville.... oh wait....nevermind

[copperfiend]

i think i said knock them down, cart away the concrete, and plant gardens.
and not just downtown
the whole idea is to eliminate sprawl.

How do you eliminate sprawl by tearing down buildings in your core?

[Prax_N_Jax]

Having a restaurant like Chicago Pizza @ the Landing would bring a recognizable name around town and it's patron's to the landing. I think it would be a great relationship. However, parking will be a problem for those who make it a problem. Be gracious with your money and it'll come back to you in folds....

[Captain Zissou]

i think i said knock them down, cart away the concrete, and plant gardens.
and not just downtown
the whole idea is to eliminate sprawl.

This would create a sweet post-apocalyptic, I Am Legend type landscape with deer and foxes running down Main Street with homeless people in hot pursuit.  Maybe we could become a hot spot for movie sets.....?

Prax: Nice seamless transition back to the original topic.  I have heard a lot of good things about Chicago Pizza.  The one in Jax Beach is also a successful nightlife spot.

[fsujax]

well, i hope this restaurant last longer than a year there.