In need of cheap rental space

[jbroadglide]

There are a lot of well connected folks here at MetroJax so maybe someone has some ideas for me. I belong to a local model railroad club, the Gateway Model Railroad Club. For over 25 year we occupied a space above Owens Pharmacy at Margaret and Park Streets. 3 years ago we lost our lease and had to move out. Since then we have been looking for  space, any space, that we could rent, fairly inexpensively and set up a model railroad. The location would preferably be near residential areas so as to attract visitors and maybe even future members. The club would like to stay in the Riverside area if possible. I have tried a number of places and either can't find the property owner or never get a call back when I do. Does anyone know of a vacant property in the Riverside area, approx 1500 sq feet, that a non profit social club could rent for a nominal cost? $100 a month is better than $0 a month.
Thanks for any ideas.
JB

[vicupstate]

This article should interest you. 

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/aug/10/mall-gets-train-station/

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/aug/10/mall-gets-train-station/

Maybe you should talk to the leasing agent at Regency Mall.  Maybe they can get a tax writeoff or something, plus fill up a vacant space.   

[jbroadglide]

Very interesting. Thanks very much for this link...

[Lunican]

The city also has un-leased retail space in the library garage and the main library itself. Maybe you could get the old Shelby's coffee shop spot? You would get a lot of visitors.

[Lunican]

The Jacksonville Landing also has empty space.

[Deuce]

If you're looking for cheap rental space near residential, what about Springfield.

[jbroadglide]

We are not opposed to any area...just need to find soemthing decent with no leaking roofs and a reasonable rent..if you have any ideas I'll be glad to follow up.

[RiversideLoki]

I know there's a nice little retail space billed as a "1 bedroom apartment" immediately across the street from Bogda that was previously used as a contractors office. It has great window space and a ton of space up front to set up tables and trains. I also know it's going for real cheap (something like around 550 a month). I dunno if it'd suit your needs, but you might want to check it out.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1248+mcduff+avenue,+jacksonville,+fl+32205&sll=30.326221,-81.657929&sspn=1.761415,3.56781&ie=UTF8&z=17&iwloc=A&layer=c&cbll=30.306717,-81.702226&panoid=0PH_yRh3aZGHrtc5vVcThQ&cbp=12,261.25,,0,3.61