J Magazine Summer 2018

DISPLAY THROUGH MAY 2018
THE MAGAZINE OF THE REBIRTH OF JACKSONVILLE’S DOWNTOWN
OUTDOORS
I S S U E
FEEDBACK
RIVERFRONT
WHERE HAVE
ALL THE BOATS
AND BOATERS
GONE?
P56
PRESERVATION
A PASSION FOR
RESUSCITATING
OUR HISTORIC
BUILDINGS
P72
TURF WARS
A FOOD TRUCK
AND BRICK &
MORTAR EATERY
BATTLE BREWS
P80
$4.95
LA
SPRING 2018
PLACEMAKING
CONNECTING THE
HUMAN EXPERIENCE
TO REVITALIZATION
THE OUTDOORS ISSUE
“CRASH LANDING” APTLY DESCRIBES
the single most troubling parcel of Downtown
property. The Jacksonville Landing’s six acres of
prime waterfront development have devolved
into a rundown embarrassment at what could
and should be a beacon of pride for the core.
Not surprising, many of you had sharp opinions
on The Landing and its future.
P32
GOING GREEN
CREATING A PLACE
FOR THE SENSES WITH
MORE GREEN SPACE
P40
PLAY STATIONS
ATTRACTING PEOPLE
DOWNTOWN WITH
URBAN PLAYGROUNDS
CRASH
P48
NDING
WHEN WILL WE FIX THE MOST CONTENTIOUS
(AND EMBARRASSING) PIECE OF PROPERTY
IN DOWNTOWN JACKSONVILLE?
P18
RE: CRASH LANDING: When will we fix the
most contentious (and embarrassing] piece of
property in Downtown Jacksonville?
“It could be awesome,
someone with vision could
really make it great again.”
Lauren King Bolin
“Change the color, the
orange is ugly and the
design is outdated. The
building looks horrible.”
Charlotte Blanton
“A renovation after 30
years would be nice!!”
Michelle Brooks Poland
“Tear it down and replace
it with Sears – including the
little diner on the first
floor – so I can relive my
youth.”
Anne Matthews
“Definitely get it back
from [Sleiman Enterprises],
they have run it into the
ground.”
Linda S. Orto
“Tear it down and start
over! It’s a dump!”
Brian Woodall
“Needs great, unique
restaurants. Needs ample
parking. Needs incredible
security in and around
area. Needs something
educational such as a
museum of the River City
showcasing the history
of the St Johns. Needs
great late-night attractions
including sports bars and
places to go out and let
adults enjoy themselves.
Needs to feature a flavor
of all the local sports
teams – Jags, Jumbo Shrimp,
Icemen.”
Jacob Hodges
RE: CRASH LANDING: When will
we fix the most contentious (and
embarrassing] piece of property in
Downtown Jacksonville?
“[The Landing]
should be remodeled
and renovated, but
the basic structure is
rather nice. It’s in a
tough neighborhood,
but if the Northbank
fills in as planned,
The Landing could
thrive.”
Jim Rinaman
RE: TURF WARS: Can Downtown Jacksonville food
trucks coexist with brick and mortar restaurants?
“Decent sit-down
restaurants in Downtown
are few and far between
and are generally more
expensive than food trucks.”
Kyle Brown
“Competition will build
quality. The ones that
survive will survive for a
reason.”
TAD ANDREWS
“I’ve never gotten the
appeal of food trucks. I’ve
eaten at a few around
town but in the end the
price just isn’t worth it.”
Justin Crews
“Downtown restaurants
have to survive on 15
hours a week. Food trucks
can follow the customers. ”
Kerry Decker
RE: Plea for
Resurrection:
Reviving Snyder
Memorial Church
may require a miracle
What would you like to
see the historic church
become?
“A wedding chapel and a
public events venue.”
Jessica Leigh Walton
“[A] concert hall for local
bands.”
Chuck Rowland
“A civil rights museum
that tells the true story of
Jacksonville’s past.”
Jo Ann Ford
“A Jacksonville themed
restaurant with historical
and present day pictures.”
Shane Windhaus
“Sell it to a developer.”
Michael Nemo
SUMMER 2018 | J MAGAZINE 9