Cool Stuff in Other Cities

[spenser1058]

Plans are moving forward in Jax to convert an 1882 casket manufacturing building into a museum of local music:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/restoration-of-music-museum-seeking-final-ddrb-approval

From The Jaxson 

 

[spenser1058]

The Jaxson has a full slate of urban construction improvements underway in the Jax core:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/urban-construction-update-august-2022

Worth noting: first, I-10, a main east-west artery for the city, is being widened from six to ten lanes from I-295 to I-95. Best of all, there are no tolls or Lexus Lanes involved because folks in Duval aren’t interested in that nonsense; second, the next time you hear a developer tell you something’s “too far gone” after sitting empty for a year or two, there’s this: the historic Ambassador Hotel is being restored after sitting fallow for 24 YEARS.

 

Edited August 10, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Take this, Kentucky! Did you know we’re now making bourbon in Florida?

@AndyPok1, our resident expert on all things, ummm, spirit-ual, needs to lead us on an (ahem) pilgrimage to the Nation’s Oldest City (no, we ain’t talking Massachusetts). What say you, Andy?

https://www.staugustinedistillery.com/
 

[spenser1058]

It’s harder than ever, but thankfully the folks in Gen Y and Z (do we go to Greek letters next like the NHC for ‘canes?) are understanding that taking money from soulless out of town developers starts to ruin everything you valued about your community:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/12/nyregion/montauk-gentrification-millennials.html?referringSource=articleShare

From The New York Times 

Kudos to these folks trying to keep it real in Montauk (I keep thinking of NSB)…
 

[AmIReal]

Finally, an amusement park for me...!!! 

https://diggerlandxl.com/

Surely, we can get one of these is Lake County, right?

[spenser1058]

Carl Nassib, first active out gay NFL player, signs with Bucs:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34405532/tampa-bay-buccaneers-agree-deal-carl-nassib-source-says

From ESPN 

GO BUCS! Also, let’s hear it for Tampa Bay! Gov. DeSatan, this is what diversity and inclusion look like. It’s a shame you reject it for the state.

[spenser1058]

$40 million expansion coming to the Florida Aquarium to feature new puffin and sea Lion habitats:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2022/08/16/florida-aquarium-plans-40m-expansion-with-puffin-sea-lion-habitats/

From The Tampa Bay Times 

Since Sanford has the zoo (we tried to move it to Mayor Bill Frederick park years ago, but that got voted down) and Sea World’s PEF owners care more about roller coasters than animals these days, we should get a non-profit aquarium for local folks at Loch Haven Park near OSC.

Edited August 17, 2022 by spenser1058

[FLheat]

I was at the zoo last month for the first time to take out of town family via the choo choo to the zoo.  The sunrail and trolley connect was great; however, the zoo is an utter embarrassment. There is so much deferred maintenance it's a wonder code enforcement has not shut them down.  Almost all the large animals except for giraffes were not available. We were in and out in about an hour.  With an admission fee of about $20, I don't think it was worth $2.

[spenser1058]

9 minutes ago, FLheat said:

I was at the zoo last month for the first time to take out of town family via the choo choo to the zoo.  The sunrail and trolley connect was great; however, the zoo is an utter embarrassment. There is so much deferred maintenance it's a wonder code enforcement has not shut them down.  Almost all the large animals except for giraffes were not available. We were in and out in about an hour.  With an admission fee of about $20, I don't think it was worth $2.

There’s no doubt Sanford is never going to be confused with the San Diego zoo. I don’t know how aggressively they have sought donors or assistance from the county. That was something which came up when the move was proposed. I have often wondered why Seminole County is OK with what they have, but then I don’t get why they’re happy with their library system, either. Different priorities, I guess.

[spenser1058]

One of my favorite condo buildings is Rokeby in Nashville. Not only is it in a tree-lined setting but the exterior is brick and glass. They pulled off modern (at least for1976) and traditional at the same time.

Everything changes and after almost 50 years it’s due but I’m holding my breath they don’t mess it up with the new brick colors. Once it’s done, it will be time for a trip back to Nashville!

https://www.nashvillepost.com/business/development/modernist-condo-tower-eyed-for-10m-update/article_1b62c47a-ecea-11ec-b940-87c4c6fcece6.html

From The Nashville Post
 

[spenser1058]

What tends to happen when new owners of a traditional building don’t realize what a gem they have or go cheap on the redo:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/7-buildings-that-dont-look-as-good-as-they-once-did

From The Jaxson 
 

[spenser1058]

@jack, time to get your RFP 2.0 ready for replacing the Trop!

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/552419-st-pete-releases-proposal-requirements-for-trop-field-redevelopment/
 

From Florida Politics 

 

Edited August 29, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

How about a future for “industrial tourism” in Jax?

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/a-virtual-look-at-jacksonvilles-industrial-heritage/

From The Jaxson 

While we’re looking at industrial plants, here’s one of the most awesome signs in the state:

https://images.app.goo.gl/3eX7t6EryMsTQqNY9

It’s “good to the last drop! “ as TR put it while dining at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville.
 

Edited August 29, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

Joe Henderson of Florida Politics says it’s time for St. Pete’s mayor and the Rays to stop dawdling and move forward more quickly with plans for the Trop site and the new stadium.

He also talks about just how long a favorite project of @prahaboheme’s, The Pier, took to get done:

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/552541-joe-henderson-st-pete-needs-some-giddy-up-in-trop-site-redevelopment-plans/
 

[spenser1058]

Let’s take a tour of Midtown Detroit and catch a glimpse of the QLine streetcar along Woodward Avenue for @HankStrong:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/sights-and-scenes-midtown-detroit

From The Jaxson 
 

[spenser1058]

Darryl Shaw to buy, develop 25 acres between Ybor City, Port Tampa Bay

(Via Tampa Bay Times)
http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2022/08/31/darryl-shaw-to-buy-develop-25-acres-between-ybor-city-port-tampa-bay/

“This site will be the capstone of the Channel District, providing enhanced connectivity between Ybor City and the surrounding neighborhood, and public access to the waterfront within a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood,” Shaw said in a statement.”

Edited August 31, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

An interesting reuse in Jax - the 1954 building is being converted from a machine shop to a wine bar and market:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/dedalus-wine-shop-market-wine-bar-coming-to-brooklyn

From The Jaxson 
 

[spenser1058]

As the Board of Trustees for the geographically-challenged University of South Florida continue to hem and haw about an on-campus stadium, the Tampa Bay Times takes a look in the way back machine and finds Duh hapless Cows have been arguing over a stadium since before there even WAS a USF:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/bulls/2022/09/01/a-brief-history-of-usf-bulls-decades-long-football-stadium-quest/

“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, move to Temple Terrace “.

Meanwhile, with FAU joining Duh Cows in the American next year, it looks like the folks in Boca (whose AD is part of the Danny White clan) will be more likely to join a “Big 5” in Florida one day than the Genshafters.

Another interesting thought: at one point, USF threatened to take their games to the “Thunderdome” (which we now know as the Trop). It, is, of course, about twice the distance from USF’s main campus than RayJay is.

Nevertheless, ponder this: it’s quite possible the Trop will have been conceived, constructed and demolished before Duh Cows ever get an OCS…

 

 

Edited September 1, 2022 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

We’re all about the dearly departed this week. A former funeral home going back to 1916 in Jax designed by a noted Black architect is looking at conversion into apartments:

https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/adaptive-reuse-of-lavillas-pratt-funeral-home-proposed/

From The Jaxson 
 

[spenser1058]

Tampa’s vintage garden-style Tahitian Inn has been sold:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2022/09/01/tampas-vintage-tahitian-inn-hotel-on-dale-mabry-sold-for-97m/

From The Tampa Bay Times

It’s become a landmark on Dale Mabry, dating back to 1953. Although not a gay resort like Orlando’s Parliament House, it was long popular with gay folks visiting Tampa’s happy hour bars.

Best of all, the new owners are keeping it intact as a motel and promising renovations. It’s one of the best mid-century motels still operating and it’s good to see it will live on.

 

 

 

[spenser1058]

The Ponce De Leon Hotel in downtown St Pete is 100 years old this year and is still in great shape:
 

https://www.google.com/search?q=ponce+de+leon+hotel+st+pete&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#imgrc=ebPuukq6CZPVIM
 

[prahaboheme]

Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf team for Philadelphia’s forthcoming Calder Gardens

https://www.archpaper.com/2022/09/herzog-de-meuron-piet-oudolf-team-philadelphia-forthcoming-calder-gardens/

I would love to see the City of Orlando collaborate with a local institution to design a garden and sculpture park like this.  

Doesn't Orlando have a bolus of old neon signs sitting in storage collecting dust?  How about Orlando team with the venerable OMA to create a new cultural attraction on a similarly sized piece of underutilized land (the Calder Gardens is only 1.8 acres) in the Orlando core.  I can think of at least a half dozen city owned parcels around downtown that are not attractive to private development.

[spenser1058]

56 minutes ago, prahaboheme said:

Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf team for Philadelphia’s forthcoming Calder Gardens

https://www.archpaper.com/2022/09/herzog-de-meuron-piet-oudolf-team-philadelphia-forthcoming-calder-gardens/

I would love to see the City of Orlando collaborate with a local institution to design a garden and sculpture park like this.  

Doesn't Orlando have a bolus of old neon signs sitting in storage collecting dust?  How about Orlando team with the venerable OMA to create a new cultural attraction on a similarly sized piece of underutilized land (the Calder Gardens is only 1.8 acres) in the Orlando core.  I can think of at least a half dozen city owned parcels around downtown that are not attractive to private development.

Morse is storing the neon where no one will ever see it. I think since Hugh McKean died, the WP snobs would be happier if it just went away. It’s truly sad and I agree completely. If OMA ever gets rid of the tut-tutters, it could be an awesome project for them if they can get it away from the Morse folks. 

It’s ironic, because the whole basis of the Morse was Hugh and his wife Jeannette collecting Tiffany when it was out of favor and no one much wanted it. 
 

Edited September 20, 2022 by spenser1058

[prahaboheme]

A sneak peak inside Kansas City’s new airport terminal (sleek!):

https://thepointsguy.com/news/kansas-city-new-terminal/?utm_term=Editorial&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=8DE3E8AE-39B5-11ED-B1BE-CB5D16F31EAE&fbclid=IwAR1YcpTfl4J7Pj6hcwyR19qohQprTnLdptiTdyE47_4yAR49yEAlTN7neQA

[spenser1058]

18 minutes ago, prahaboheme said:

A sneak peak inside Kansas City’s new airport terminal (sleek!):

https://thepointsguy.com/news/kansas-city-new-terminal/?utm_term=Editorial&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=8DE3E8AE-39B5-11ED-B1BE-CB5D16F31EAE&fbclid=IwAR1YcpTfl4J7Pj6hcwyR19qohQprTnLdptiTdyE47_4yAR49yEAlTN7neQA

Mayor Bill wants to know, “Where are the fountains?”