February 2019 – Jacksonville Time

Payless ShoeSource

Payless ShoeSource located in Memorial Health Plaza at 3997 University Boulevard South in Jacksonville, Florida has started its closing sale. This sale is aligned with clsoure of all stores in United States, Canada, and Porto-Rico. Payless ShoeSource is also closing e-commerce operations. Payless will keep stores in Latin America and International Franchise stores. Payless ShoesSource was founded in Topeka, Kansas in 1956 with the name Pay-Less National. Payless ShoesSource stores sold quality footwear and accessories at affordable prices. The liquidation sales will end in May. Payless ShoeSource is another victim of a rapidly changing retail environment.

Virginia College

Virginia College was located at 5940 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, from 2008 to 2018. This campus was one of 75 campuses closed by the Education Corporation of America in December 2018. Education Corporation of America had just lost accreditation from ACICS. Financial challenges multiplied since the Department of Education imposed new requirements for students’ loans. More than five schools have closed including ITT Technical Institute, Advanced Career Training, and Fortis college. Virginia College was the third company to occupy this building since 1979. The building was initially occupied by Albertsons Supermarket at its inauguration in 1979. In 2005, Albertsons sold the building to Rowe’s IGA Markets. Rowe’s closed in 2008. Across Beach Boulevard, at 5751, Kmart Building is empty since December 2012.

Virginia College
Kmart on Beach Blvd
Kmart on Beach Boulevard

Atlantic Coast Line Nₒ. 1504

SThe Atlantic Coast Line served for eight decades the South-East of the United states. One of its trains is displayed at the Prime F. Osborn Convention Center. In 1990, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers posted in front of the train a plate saying,

” Historical Mechanical Engineering Landmark
United states railroad administration locomotive
Atlantic Coast Line Class p-5-a 4-6-2 # 1504 1919
During the World-War I-Emergency, American Railroads were placed under the control of the united states railroad administration (USRA) to facilitate construction, operation, and maintenance. All new steam locomotives ordered during this period were built to one of twelve standard designs developed by a committee composed of USRA, Railroad, and Locomotive-builder representatives. This family of locomotives, ranging from 0-6-0 to 2-8-8-2 in size, incorporated the best proven features of the day and was the first successful standardization of American motive power. Although the USRA period lasted only three years, locomotives continued to be built around these basic designs for another decade. ACL 1504, built by American Locomotive Co. Richmond works, is a “light pacific,” the most common USRA passenger design. It was in service on ACL for over 30 years and has survived in almost original condition.” For more information on Atlantic Coast Line, visit https://www.american-rails.com/atlantic-coast-line.html

Jacksonville International Auto Show

On Saturday, 2/16/2019, I attended The Jacksonville International Auto show at Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center located at1000 Water Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Many makes and models were represented including Hyundai, Subaru, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, jaguar, Buick, Lexus, Porsche, Honda, Mercedes, Fiat, Acura, Lincoln, and VW. Two technologies were highlighted: Blue Drive Technology and Intelligent mobility. Blue Drive Technology by Hyundai is the technology introduced in 2009 including hybrid, electric, and other technologies aimed to make the world a little greener. Intelligent Technology by Nissan that reduces stress when on the road. Interesting ideas were also highlighted such as love promise by Subaru, We Refused to Recycle Old Thinking by BMW, Start your Impossible by Toyota, Innovation that excites by Nissan, and others.