"I’m rolling, brother," Jemal says And The Radio One Complex

How is it that the Akridge was able to build Gallery Place and line up all of the retail but Douglas Jemal lets his spaces sit empty forever? I am afraid that all of that beautiful retail space in the Ventana and the Atlantic Building is going to sit empty for years like the rest of his downtown properties.

I agree. Although I do appreciate the work that Jemal is doing, he does tend to let his places stand vacant for years and years. It is hard to have a thriving downtown when the owner of downtown buildings will not lease.

Wow. No one can fault Jemal for not being ambitious! And I agree with GP that his designs are first-rate, with tremendous respect for the historical structures where he builds.

I also have to agree with Andy’s comment about Douglas Development’s seemingly careless attitude towards filling up all those retail spaces. It is shocking how many empty retail storefronts throughout downtown sport Douglas signs. The 7th Street project (across from Gallery Place) is just now filling its final spaces, six or so years after it first opened! I know development takes time, but what’s with all the empty spaces in prime locations?

Good question, Andy. I think that’s one flaw of Jemal’s development process.

We know that one big difference with the Gallery Place development is that it included millions worth of Tax Increment Financing. So far, TIF has only been used for the West Elm store (Jemal’s property).

Is the TIF the difference maker?

Also, now downtown is more desirable than 4 years ago. Maybe spaces will fill more quickly in the future because retailers don’t need as much convincing?

I had hopes that the WaffleHouse would somehow survive all of the development. It is a great place, a mix of tourists, locals, churchgoers, cops, businesspeople, and such. We need MORE places like the Waffle House. I am now also worried about local one-of-a-kind gems like AV Ristorante and Hodges, on NY Ave.

BTW, Doug Jemal has also applied for TIF for the H&M buildout, and I believe he is waiting for more than ON MILLION DOLLARS (let that sink in, and realize development pays off).

It is also important to recognize that there are some zoning restrictions, so we aren’t inundated with bank branches and other useless storefronts. Some of the remaining Jemal space is zoned for the Arts – which is a good thing.

Somehow, Jemal is able to afford sit on his properties and wait for the area to get hot enough and get a high rent. Usually, developers need to rent right away to pay the property tax. Is it possible that somehow (hint, someone who works for the district) the taxes on his properties remain aritifically low so he does not feel pressure to rent the properties? The whole poit of property valuation is to make sure buildings don’t stay vacant.

But, he has been a local leader in development and has been properly enriched.

About the Whaffle House — I had a conversation with a long time employee there once and she said it was almost certain that once their lease was up (in 2 yrs), they would be leaving.

I don’t want it to go

That is truly sad news about the Waffle Shop. It’s an original that will be missed. Eat as much as you can in the next two years!

I think the difference is, that with Gallery Place, Akridge had to have tenants prior to starting construction, in order to get the construction loans.