In typical Jacksonville fashion, it looks like the redevelopment plans for the old Landing are turning into a procedural and political debacle. It appears that nothing will get built on the site for a couple years at best. Rather than let the property sit and do nothing, why not at least temporarily activate the space? I was just in Miami last week and there are two very popular, low cost waterfront dining/entertainment locations. They are basically less permanent version's of Sparkman's Wharf in Tampa.
https://riverside.miami/
Riverside Miami is on the Miami River, on the north tip of Brickell. It looks like it could be constructed in a weekend, but has enough bells and whistles that it's a nice spot to grab a drink or bite to eat with friends. It's only open Thursday-Sunday.
https://wharfmiami.com/
The Wharf is also on the Miami River, but is located in a less appealing spot, west of 95 and not too far from Miami skid row (think State and Union corridor level of homeless). It's also only open Thursday-Sunday and looks like it could be built in a very short time frame.
Would Jax be better off issuing an RFP for something like this for a small portion of the Landing site, for period of 3-5 years, while permanent plans are refined?
In 2018, I met with SMG (who operates facilities such as the Times Union Performing Arts Center, Ritz Theater, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, etc) about a proposal that was based on The Wharf in Miami and the summertime Spruce Street Harbor Park beer garden in Philadelphia. SMG was in the midst of a one year contract extension to continue operating those COJ facilities, and were told to find ways to increase the amount of activity at those venues. This is an opportunity to create an easy, win/win partnership.
My proposal was to open a Wharf-like installation on the very large open space in between the TUPAC and the Northbank Riverwalk.. which already has such things like electrical hookups, shade trees, etc... and would have required a small extension of premises for SMG's existing alcohol license. There would have been a 5 year commercial lease, that would have paid rent, with a performance guarantee to have the space open in 60 days from signing the contract. There would have been a provision to cancel the lease early, if and when COJ would ever want to do physical work to the space (as there were certain known/desired work products that would have required access if those construction projects received funding).
SMG was on board.
The DIA told SMG to stop pursuing this option. The excuse given was that there were IMMINENT plans to make vast improvements to the space... you know, this thing that has been talked about for 5 years now.
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/projections-of-livestreamed-performances-could-come-to-downtown-jacksonville/867214644/ Mind you, the agreement would have allowed COJ to tell me to pack up and leave if/when those plans ever materialized, but in the meantime you'd have a NO-COST and REVENUE GENERATING activation of the riverfront in a matter of months.
SMG did not want to push the issue and rock the political boat, given that their contract renewal was on a year-long extension. I don't blame them. They in the business of continuing to be in business, after all.
But when we talk about why Downtown suffers... the bottom line is that politics are what's holding Downtown back. Its not about ideas, or attracting investment, or actually taking action. No, its about making sure you line the pockets of your buddies, and not making yourself look bad when you are getting paid well to revitalize Downtown (or at least that's what your job description says).
That's four lost years of something happening along the riverfront Downtown. Why? Because someone didn't want to look bad at doing their job?
Earlier this year, the bulkhead repair work that was known about since 2016, took over that space. If my contract was in place, that could have been cancelled so as to allow for the contractors to fix the bulkheads. But, at least from 2018-2021, there would have been more activity there than just a few bums sleeping on the benches.
This weekend, Packers and Saints fans are coming into Jacksonville to watch a football game and will wander around Downtown and think 'what the hell is there to do?' I'll come across one of these lost souls and say "no, no, no, my friend. We're doing GREAT things Downtown. (Insert City official or Mayor name here) is doing great work. Its all coming together". At the end of the day, patting yourself on the back, is really what's important Downtown.
