Jacksonville gets a new "frontdoor" (Springfield: sales, real estate)

[fsu813]

More designs:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/398120_331115870242098_121489567871397_1091316_132 0595649_n.jpg (broken link)

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403806_331115843575434_121489567871397_1091315_188 8814483_n.jpg (broken link)

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/405764_331115893575429_121489567871397_1091317_857 50849_n.jpg (broken link)

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/406778_331115976908754_121489567871397_1091321_157 2880822_n.jpg (broken link)

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402140_331115786908773_121489567871397_1091313_179 5615717_n.jpg (broken link)

By Content Design. A local small business (who does awesome work). jacksonville architects - content design group

[madcapmagishion]

Beautiful designs! But how exactly is this the "Frontdoor" to Jacksonville as it's enclosed by 2 bridge ramps and lies hidden behind an old building downtown? Maybe they should sell that lot for a future Jacksonville Landing parking garage and build over by the Prime Osborn Convention Center right off of I-95. Lets hope something actually comes from all this.

[fsquid]

They aren't my style, but it is better than what is there now.

[fsu813]

Originally Posted by madcapmagishion

Maybe they should sell that lot for a future Jacksonville Landing parking garage and build over by the Prime Osborn Convention Center right off of I-95.

COJ has that site reserved for a new convention center - the location of the Prime Osborn is not ideal & holds back Jax's convention status.

[madcapmagishion]

Originally Posted by fsu813

COJ has that site reserved for a new convention center - the location of the Prime Osborn is not ideal & holds back Jax's convention status.

Never less they need a better location for the Chamber of Commerce building than what they presently have, less hidden and more easily accessible. It's all well and good to have a showcase building, but pointless if it's going to remain hidden from view.

[FSUMikeJAX]

Originally Posted by madcapmagishion

Never less they need a better location for the Chamber of Commerce building than what they presently have, less hidden and more easily accessible. It's all well and good to have a showcase building, but pointless if it's going to remain hidden from view.

I agree. Jacksonville needs to realize waterfront or property with river views command a premium. Let's move government and entities related to government off the river.

At any rate, I like the design. Jacksonville needs to establish an identity that isn't aligned with uninspiring strip malls and unimaginative architecture. Jacksonville could be a city that isn't another Anytown, USA.

[bativac]

Originally Posted by fsquid

I disagree, I think most are in a "shut up and show me" state of mind. Sure there are some that resaist change, but many are tired of the talk, they want action.

Some of us lifelong residents of Jax have heard time and again about how downtown is going to be "revitalized." (I'm sure lots of us remember when the Landing opened in the late 1980s and what a big deal it was supposed to be, how downtown was gonna turn around, etc.)

There has recently been some small but promising development downtown, in fits and starts, but for every step forward there are many steps backward.

The designs look fine - very modern - but this seems like putting a band-aid on a stump after you've had your arm torn off by the doors of a deserted Skyway Express car.

[fsquid]

that is what the lifetime residents in my office tell me too. They still live in the urban core, but have seen this time and time again.

[fsu813]

I've been in Jax for 20+ years, not long enough?

[bativac]

Originally Posted by fsquid

that is what the lifetime residents in my office tell me too. They still live in the urban core, but have seen this time and time again.

I'm a lifelong resident, who is the child of lifelong residents, who are both the children of lifelong residents... So I'm like 3rd generation. My dad's grandmother lived in Springfield in a big beautiful house (that is now a vacant lot). So he was around firsthand to see the decline of these areas, and it happened over time and naturally - nobody forced people to move away. And you aren't going to force people back in.

I think the city tries too hard when it comes to downtown. They try too hard and they put up too many barriers to those who would start an independent business downtown.

Or they opt for the "festival" method of getting people downtown. Yeah, it was full-up for the Jazz Festival, and the fireworks shows, and for Art Walk... but then what? No business can depend on one night a month of sales. Nobody who goes downtown for the Art Walk is going to experience downtown - they're going for the Art Walk, and if they moved the event to San Marco or Riverside or something, the crowd would follow.

So now they're supposedly renovating the Chamber of Commerce building. Great! We'll have a beautiful new Chamber of Commerce building and..........? But hey at least a bunch of movers and shakers got a photo op and the chance to feel good about themselves.

I would love downtown to come back to life - my wife and I travel to several big cities a year to enjoy the "big city downtown" experience. It'd be great to have it at home. But it just can't seem to catch on in Jacksonville, and those of us doubting that it ever will aren't "naysayers." We've just heard it before and frankly are tired of hearing it.

*pant pant* rant over!