Boomtown Closes, Moves, Reorganizes.

[Metro Jacksonville]

Boomtown Closes, Moves, Reorganizes.



Despite the number of articles in the local news publications, the move of Boomtown from Hemming Park was not at all certain until Thursday of last week.On that day, Boomtown's long term lease was purchased and a date was set for vacating the premises.  The way to this deal was rocky and took a decidedly legal turn.  In fact the litigious nature of the relations between the dinner theatre and the landowner were so adversarial that as late as the preceding Tuesday, there was little hope that the issues would be resolved within the next six months.No doubt feeding the misplaced certainty was the involvement of Michael Munz and the Dalton Agency in the purchase of the building.  Munz, reportedly a partner in the controversial Metropolitan Parking Solutions company with Parking Garage kingpin Mark Rimmer has a reputation for moving in the powerful circles surrounding the mayor's office, and is a well known player with The Dalton Agency, one of the areas largest public relations firm.Both Munz and the agency have had a long relation with the perennially redeveloping Hemming Park area.  Munz is rumored to have been behind the removal of the River City Band from their tenancy of the historic Snyder Memorial Church at the corner of Laura and Monroe in favor of a possible supperclub outfit during the Superbowl.Despite the near ruin and practical eviction of the official state and city band, however, the Supperclub never materialized and the church went vacant until the present day.The Dalton Agency reportedly considered at length moving into the historic Seminole Club at the opposite corner of Duval and Hogan before declining to purchase.  Eventually the beautiful and historically significant building was purchased by urban landowning boogeyman, Chris Hionides, who has set a 25,000.00 dollar monthly rental fee for the (amazingly still vacant) structure.Finally in the early part of 2007, they set their sights on the Park Place Plaza... and thereby began a series of events that at times descended into mayhem.

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/441

[hanjin1]

Just face it, downtown is doomed!  It will not be a real downtown any time soon. We need people that really care about a vibrant downtown. People that actually live in or around downtown, not beach dwellers or suburban idiots. They know nothing about downtown and could care less. How can you let Boomtown or any other business leave the core and expect great things from downtown. Just a shame. I hope they understand when all the vagrant start coming back into Hemming Plaza, just like roaches do at night. What am I kidding, these people are roaches too.

[mmartinez]

i have been a downtown resident for about a year and a half, and have decided that i am soon to become a "suburban idiot"; with no remorse!!  i believed in the downtown dream, even attempting to purchase a building; but that dream is gone.  pushed out by vagrants asking for money, only Burrito gallery and london bridge within walking distance; and mostly the snail's pace of redevelopment!  being a young professional that doesn't make enough to afford the 400 thousand dollar condo; so i am out of here!  so i wish all the "pioneers" the best of luck.  with whatever is left of downtown.

[hmmm]

Munz also "bought" the marble trio and for 3 years let it fall to the ground. He is on the board of DVI. His firm handles the poker room, mcdonalds, and wal mart. Really good for downtown. I can't wait to see his smart meters.

[Michael-Lee]

Another battle lost. What else can be done? Everything has been bungled. Is hope still out there???

[Michael-Lee]

I love being optimistic but come on. I have seen too many businesses close and nobody cares.

[Adam B]

and day to day, it does seem like nothing is happening.  but think about 10 years ago.  

i went away to college for five years, and when i came back, it's like i had moved to a totally different city, and for the better.

[RG]

Good point, Adam.  I think we have to take the longer view of downtown.  10 years ago there was no one living downtown except for the homeless, some retirees in the Cathedral Towers and Stephen Dare.  Now, we have probably 2000 people downtown with many more residences on the way with the Strand, Peninsula, San Marco Place, and the Barnett all slated to come on line soon.  Also, we have several other new projects in the pipeline which will add new residents.  Add to this the fact that Springfield is much farther around than before and has many new and affluent residents who want to spend money downtown.  

Also, the entertainment options downtown 10 years ago beyond drinking a beer on the street from a paper bag were non-existent.  Today, there are more than a half-dozen bars and new restaurants (not including the Landing).  Not great, but a good start.  So, I know everyone wants instant gratification and is frustrated by speculators like Hionides holding things back, but we have come a long way.  Imagine the downtown of 2017.  I think it  will be pretty amazing.  I am optimistic.

[downtownparks]

Actually, 10 years ago we had The Paradome, Milk Bar, and MotoLounge All on Adams St...... Hardly Ybor City, but for a downtown that was boarded up nt bad. Sadly the Fire Marshall got a pinch on the butt from the FBC and suddenly they were all gone... Amazing how that works.

[Adam B]

10 years ago, i was 15.  so downtown didn't have me.

and really, isn't that what this is all about.

[RG]

I knew someone would mention one of these right after I posted.   ;D

Ok, downtown had some nightlife 10 yrs ago and more historic building stock but I still think it is undeniable that downtown has more going on and more residents now than 10 yrs ago.  Also, Springfield may have lost a lot of buildings, but there are far more structures restored and new ones in legitimate use now as compared with 10 yrs ago.

[thelakelander]

Unfortunately RG, that progress has been made "inspite" of for the most part, instead of "because of".  A look nation wide would reveal there are few places that haven't seen some sort of progress in their CBD, in the last decade.  This is because there's a national movement to go in and revitalize the core areas of cities.  If our decision makers could really jump on board, by making things more end user friendly, we would be light years ahead, simply due to our quality natural location.

[claytonbixby]

Lee Haack was cool huh?  nice to know as I live in his old house....He came by once a few years back, showed him around and he seemed like a nice guy.  He even had the combination to the old safe that was left over from previous owners..

As to downtown, its coming, like molasses.. slowly,  Hionedis, VanWinkle F..EM.

[JUSTDAVE]

where is Downtown visions bread buttered and who annoited them in charge/in the discussion

[tufsu1]

sounds like there's plenty of room for you to move back in then