Which Convention Center site will rank first?

[vicupstate]

My pick is #4. Number 2 would be absolutely ideal if it were vacant, but since it is not, the land cost would be prohibitive.

My guess for lowest rated would be #5, with #6 not much better. Now that the JEA site is available again, it may get more attention. I will be very interested in what the study says about the existing location.

[wolfdawg54]

I think that the JEA generating site will be a good possibility with all of the construction that is going on by the Southbank. It is a prime location that will be a strong contender after the Haskell plans fell through.

[Urban_Legend]

I chose the Shipyards. The project isn't making too much progress, so that land may very well be up for grabs. I agree, the CSX site would be awesome, but I don't see that building coming down anytime soon. I don't like the location of the JEA property, it's not centrally located. Who knows what they'll do....

[scongro]

Personally, I think that the best option is not in the list, and that is the industrial land east of the stadium. Though it would probably be expensive to move the industrial tenants (maybe that is why is isn't on the list), a riverfront convention site would be wonderful. Plus, any parking garages that need to be built could be shared by the stadium, and ground level retail could turn the area into a mini-Wrigleyville (in Chicago).

[wolfdawg54]

Personally, I think that the best option is not in the list, and that is the industrial land east of the stadium.  Though it would probably be expensive to move the industrial tenants (maybe that is why is isn't on the list), a riverfront convention site would be wonderful.  Plus, any parking garages that need to be built could be shared by the stadium, and ground level retail could turn the area into a mini-Wrigleyville (in Chicago).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That may be a good idea. I could see that happening but the land to the east mostly belongs to Talleyrand and other shipping areas. If the land can be bought out or becomes available, then it would be a possibility.

[Captain Obvious]

Until I read otherwise in the forthcoming report, I think expansion of the current center is the best and cheapest option. They already own the land needed to expand, and the site has both direct freeway and skyway access, something almost all the other options basically lack. The only real downside to the current center, is that we couldn't reclaim it for a downtown train station.

I think the old courthouse site comes in a close second, primarily because of its proximity to the adams mark convention center, and the fact that the city also owns the land already. However, it has several drawbacks including: no skyway access (plans for bay st expansion are highly unlikely), further from freeway, and probably more expensive to construct parking. Also there is the worry that the riverfront site would be better used on a private skyscraper project that would generate tax revenue.

[wolfdawg54]

How much land does the city own at the existing Prime Osborn site? Will it be enough for the future of Jacksonville if it stays? I don't know.

[Captain Obvious]

How much land does the city own at the existing Prime Osborn site? Will it be enough for the future of Jacksonville if it stays? I don't know.

The city owns a large surface parking lot directly behind the Prime Osborn, which appears to be about as large as the convention center itself, and of similar size to other sites in consideration. Consequently, it seems like they could easily double or triple the size of the current Prime Osborn with a multistory addition.

Again, we'll just have to wait for the report and see what their projected numbers are.

[wolfdawg54]

The city owns a large surface parking lot directly behind the Prime Osborn, which appears to be about as large as the convention center itself, and of similar size to other sites in consideration. Consequently, it seems like they could easily double or triple the size of the current Prime Osborn with a multistory addition.

Again, we'll just have to wait for the report and see what their projected numbers are.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If they cover the parking, where will they find new land to fill the needed spaces for the convention center. Hopefully the city will be able to resolve the comnvention center issue soon.

[Urban_Legend]

Well, parking would be accomodated the smart way: up. I'm sure they'd build an adjacent garage. Also, the new transit hub will help bring people to the convention center. I hope that someone will build a hotel nearby, no matter where the new convention center is.

[wolfdawg54]

Well, parking would be accomodated the smart way: up.  I'm sure they'd build an adjacent garage.  Also, the new transit hub will help bring people to the convention center.  I hope that someone will build a hotel nearby, no matter where the new convention center is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Up is direction that they will go. But the real question is if the keep the land at the Prime Osborn and expand it, where will they get the new land for the parking garage. it seems that space is very limited there. I think that it should be moved, if possible.

[Fruit Cove]

what will become of the old one if it is moved?

[bobliocatt]

At this point, I think the existing site is the best. As Captain Obvious said, its already located near the interstate, the skyway, and the city already owns all the land around it.

It will also be a lot cheaper and quicker to build an expanded center at this location than any other site in downtown. The construction of a convention center hotel complex could be build on the vacant strip of land between Water Street and the Skyway tracks. Using that site for infill would help connect the convention center to the downtown core. A transportation center or small museum complex could still be possible, depending on the layout of the expanded center.