Reinvigorating the Jacksonville Landing

[Metro Jacksonville]

Reinvigorating the Jacksonville Landing



Earlier this year, marked the 10-year anniversary of Sleiman Enterprises' 2003 acquistion of the Jacksonville Landing. Still a hub of activity for downtown Jacksonville, the festival market place has never lived up to the hype it generated when the Rouse Company built it in 1987. Now Toney Sleiman and the Downtown Investment Authority's (DIA) new CEO Aundre Wallace are determined to change that and want your input.


Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-dec-reinvigorating-the-jacksonville-landing

[vicupstate]

The last page seems to have text missing. 

I didn't realize that there were so many of these built.  Very few seem to have made it long-term as originally envisioned. Baltimore and Boston and Miami(?) being the most successful it seems. 

[thelakelander]

Here's a wikipedia list of several:

Underground Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
Harborplace, Baltimore, Maryland
Faneuil Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois
Aloha Tower Marketplace, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jacksonville Landing, Jacksonville, Florida
The Grove at Farmers Market, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood and Highland, Los Angeles, California
Bayside Marketplace, Miami, Florida
Jackson Brewery, New Orleans, Louisiana
Riverwalk, New Orleans, Louisiana
South Street Seaport, New York City
Waterside, Norfolk, Virginia
Jack London Square, Oakland, California
Arizona Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Westfield Horton Plaza, San Diego, California
Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, California
Pier 39, San Francisco, California
St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri
Union Station (Washington, D.C.), Washington, D.C.
Tower City Center. Cleveland, Ohio
Water Street Pavilion, Flint, Michigan
Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana
Portside, Toledo, Ohio
Erie Street Market, Toledo, OH
Sixth Street Festival Marketplace, Richmond, Virginia
Festival Market, Lexington, Kentucky
Saint Anthony Main, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bandana Square, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Cray Plaza, Saint Paul, Minnesota
West End Marketplace, Dallas, Texas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_marketplace

[mtraininjax]

Sleiman claims his business model is flawed without the parking garage. The finger pointing back and forth over who is responsible for paying for it is rediculous. He will never say or do anything, like a little kid, until he gets his parking deck. I see nothing good in the future, rather status quo on grand plans.

On another note, the stores on the inside look to be rather full, where there were high end retailers, there are now moderately priced items. The restaurants seem to do OK, they are still there.

[JaxArchitect]

Lake, Several of the locations you mention above are different than others in that they integrate more mixed use (either office or residential) and don't rely solely on retail/restaurants.  Not coincidentally, they tend to be the ones that are more successful.
I also think that too many of these "Festival Marketplaces" rely on fabricated nostalgic design that has grown tired over the past 25 years.  Along these lines, I'm a little concerned about the precedent set by the recent Laura Street improvements (kiosk, pavers, stone piers, etc) because they're based on a similar pseudo-historic character.  I'd hate for the Landing to turn into a simulated Ponte Vedra mediterranean strip mall.

[I-10east]

I'm not saying that the current Landing is some bustling vibrant marketplace that forever stood the test of time by no means, but boy did it fare far better than many other festival marketplaces. Say what you want about the Landing, but you can't describe it as 'a flop from the beginning'. Whatever path that's chosen to revitalize the Landing will not be an easy one; I wouldn't want to be in charge of that. I wish the very best concerning the revitalizing efforts to the Landing.   

[edjax]

I see where Lavernious Coles has indicated an interest in some type of an entertainment venue in a revamped Landing in addition to his new Levels Restaurant on Bay St.  He indicated perhaps a bowling establishment. 

[Jaxson]

IMHO, the festival marketplace concept was a nice idea for some but the novelty wore off soon...

[Garden guy]

Its a mall...thats all it is..a shopping mall...

[thelakelander]

^Pretty much.  A small mall with no major anchors. One of the reasons novelty wore off was because the overall product being offered was inferior to the larger regional malls (like the Avenues) that opened across the country around the same time.  Festival marketplaces that were not located in cities where there were already tons of tourist and foot traffic basically died.

[thelakelander]

I'd hate for the Landing to turn into a simulated Ponte Vedra mediterranean strip mall.

Definitely agree.  It would be good to see something that reflects a change from the typical stucco dominated Jacksonville beige.

[ricker]

Guessing I may be ridiculed, or ignored on account of my out-of-touch -with-reality  dreams for a truly exciting Downtown, but_

I wonder what it would require to anchor a theme park on both banks of the river downtown?
Open 24/7/365 connected by sky carts like it was rumored here that Mr.Balanky mentioned in the past.

IMHO it would be tons of fun AND a beautiful PLACE given the situs to be able to enjoy a carnival atmosphere on both sides of the river by connecting the Riverfront at Maxwell House to the ship yards, and Met Park with the JEA brown field!

It could be a real catalyst to recreate our own little version of DUMBO by wrapping the Northbank Riverwalk all the way around to the old FORD assembly plant from RAM. Maybe just maybe Berkman 2 would become something better?  Certainly the Landing would benefit.

I still rather like Mr. Sleiman's "It's about time" presentation which involved removing a wedge from the Landing in order to deliver a river view while looking south down Laura St. That alone could have helped remove some of the glut of empty store fronts - but unfortunately the escalators too, no?

Just some random thoughts.

Our Riverwalks are wonderful, but could be even better if expanded drastically.


Is it sensible to have a convention enter in what is left of Lavilla WITH the Regional Transportation "Mall"?
I ask because IF any new convention center remained near I-95, this would free up the riverfront for something whacky like a HUGE number of roller coasters and perhaps the world's largest ferris wheel, etc...a touch of Disney meets Six Flags, meets Busch Gardens_you get the idea I am sure.

Respectfully, I always enjoy a pleasant volley, as I do love this town, and do as much as I can to spread positive PR about Jax with relocation specialists, in addition to volunteering to assist with different groups who work tirelessly to better their respective communities.

Bounce something back, please!?
Thanks in advance!
(go easy on me, I am an optimist and dream big - but do not mean to annoy)

[ricker]

Regarding the Landing specifically, I envision the interior common hall downstairs being redressed in order to look and feel even more like an outdoor street. It isn't far off now, but with a few tweaks it could feel more like each lease space was at the edge of a sidewalk.

Bring the sax player dude inside.

Freeeeaky balloon animal makers.

Expand the old Daniel bldg/nowHyatt garage into the Landing lot?

Wasn't Mactruque working a concept and in fact installing a public "living room"?

Not to date myself, but the somewhat cheesy vibe of Central Perk from FRIENDS, but not so high white.

Smelly cat, Oh smelly cat what are they feeding you?
Smelly cat ohh smellly cat, it's not your fault.
LOL
 

[pierre]

The inside of the Landing is so outdated it is sad. I had not been in years and went this summer and it looks exactly like it did when I was a kid. Half of food court is empty. There just isn't much of a reason for people to go other than for events. It seems like to function best as almost like a town square type meeting area. The retail aspect of it is dead.

[IrvAdams]

Great ideas. I love the concept of splitting the Landing in two and providing river access. Share the view. Have a food truck area, several different food trucks parked out there each day. They draw more business for everybody. Win-win.

Much potential. Perfect location. The Landing will be a focal point again - soon.