| Van Winkel Bails on Mainbranch? |
|
|
| Friday, 20 April 2007 | |
|
MainBranchLLC Loses an Investor?
'I have told those guys at the library that I am out, I'm done.' 'I'm getting out of downtown altogether." MetroJacksonville.com was unable to verify whether or not this has indeed already happened, but Mr. Van Winkel was solid in his conviction. Also unclear is whether or not Mr. Van Winkel now intends to sell the noted eyesore, The Parkview Inn. Whether or not this will have any effect on the viability of the Haydon Burn's project is unknown, as the other principals, Mike Shad and others have shown no indications that they are backing out--in fact quite the opposite---announcing earlier this week that several tenants, mostly local, have signed letters of intent to lease space within the well known landmark. MetroJacksonville's editorial board certainly supports this awesome project and hopes that this visionary development goes forward full steam. Stay tuned for developing details. |
April 20, 2007, 5:32 pm
I really hope that this will not stall the project. It will be the lifeforce that downtown Jax needs to really boom. It fills all that is missing for downtown residents.
Good luck Main Branch. I wish you all the best.
April 20, 2007, 8:56 pm
good news
this guy has been blowing smoke up our perverbial a$$es for years and now when its time to put his money where his mouth has been he backs out.... yeah, huge suprise. Guess his grandiose plans for the Park View Brothel/vagrancy INN were just more BS from a major BS artist... Ice Ice Baby!
April 21, 2007, 10:56 am
He's right on the money.
The Ripper is totally correct. The powers that be have been blowing smoke up everyone's A$$ for years.
April 23, 2007, 11:16 am
It's their fault
There is a difference between property owners, slum lords and investors. Buying a building and bleeding the tenant's dry without ever making even maintenance puts one in the "slum lord" category.
I don't think we want slub lords anywhere near the old library - who wants the reconstruction to drag
on or years.
I don't think all the collective wisdom in City Hall could figure out how to 'help' downtown if it were on fire.
It would be refreshing to see a glimmer of leadership
Just my opinion
April 24, 2007, 9:53 am
Van Winkle part of the problem?
Perhaps Mr. Van Winkel should consider whether or not he is part of the problem here. He is a major property owner downtown and obviously has deep pockets yet his biggest asset, the Parkview Inn, has sat vacant for years. I know he has had some environmental issues with it but it seems unlikely that, if he was really committed to developing it, he couldnt come up with some sort of solution. This leads me to conclude that he is in fact part of the problem rather than the solution. So, we should greet his leaving downtown with relief IMO.
April 26, 2007, 5:15 am
Van Winkle Pull Out of old Main Branch LLC Project
That's a cop out in my opinion, saying that he just got back from Europe and the fact that their cities are alive and bustling, frustrated him because we are either too slow or not progressive enough for him in Jacksonville/America; then in my opinion, go back to Europe, in all due respect! Don't lead us on or give us empty promises.
Mr. Van Winkle, I hope you are reading this. Take note; if you take the initiative, and aggressively move forward with your plans, you will provide an impetus for others to "jump on the bandwagon" to help downtown to improve and grow, and your invaluable and important contributions to improving and helping downtown to become the hustle, bustle, central core that you yearn for it to be, and it needs to be and once was; I know you are frustrated because you are either old or getting old, and you want it to happen now, but be patient (obviously you don't have patience or the time), and even if it (hustle and bustle) doesn't happen in your lifetime, you will be remembered for your important contributions.
We do need you Mr. Van Winkle!
What are the benefits of having a MetroJacksonville.com account?
- Share your opinion by posting comments on stories that interest you.
- Stay up to date on all of the latest issues affecting your neighborhood.
- Create a network of friends working towards a better Jacksonville.
>> Register now <<