Guess Who is "Making A Scene Downtown" tonight?

[simms3]

who runs DVI?  It should be kept in place but operated by a private board of property and business owners like Jerry that have a stake in it.

This.  DVI is Jacksonville's version of Midtown Alliance, except Midtown Alliance is completely privately run by Midtown developers, company executives, and influential residents.  It gets what needs to be done done and anyone who has been there can see that even in this economy the place is flourishing and its real estate market is doing much better than Buckhead right now.

[simms3]

Coolyfett you live in Atlanta like I do, I'm surprised you didn't comment on my original post on this thread.  What do you see as the differences between Midtown and Downtown and do you think one is more successful than the other as a result?

Taking away benches is probably too harsh, but I don't think Hemming Plaza needs those crappy looking school cafeteria tables.  Also word of mouth for downtown is very strong.  The downtown bars/clubs are successful even without 97.9 KISS FM radio campaigns, so increasing word of mouth will only create long lines.

[fsujax]

aren't long lines something we want to see downtown? and why are some of you some combative in your posts?^^

[fieldafm]

I was in Orlando earlier in the week and was discussing their policies regarding panhandling downtown with a downtown merchant.  They have designated panhandling zones, and are now proposing to retrofit the parking meters within this designated zone to have panhandlers pay for the right to panhandle.

Of course, panhandling downtown is illegal in Jax, but Ive been asked for money 6 times since last Thursday downtown.

Just a point of discussion to chew on.  Orlando has got the pedestrian friendly downtown part done pretty well, so always curious to know what they're DVI-like group is up to.

[ChriswUfGator]

I don't think it is fair to lump Starbuck's closing in with the other businesses mentioned....they were doing reasonably well and were a casualty of a corporate downsizing policy to close recently opened stores....which is why the store at the Landing (opened years ago) is still open.

Yeah ok Tufsu, if it had been making a pile of money it would still be open, you know it as well as everyone else does. It most certainly should be lumped into these discussions, because it disproves these silly nonsensical arguments about how every one of the thousands of businesses who've fled downtown during the past decade or two just weren't doing things the right way.

Funny, Adecco, Starbucks, Life of the South, and too many other businesses of all sizes to name at this point, all seem to do just fine, except for in downtown Jacksonville. So Tufsu, a/k/a Occam's rusty safety razor, what do you find more likely; That virtually every single business down there closed because each and all of them were doing it wrong, or that there is a problem with the environment itself?

[Coolyfett]

who runs DVI?  It should be kept in place but operated by a private board of property and business owners like Jerry that have a stake in it.

This is far & makes logical sense. Maybe DVI could be like SPAR or RAP?

DVI is the creation of a self imposed tax by the landowners downtown.  A decade ago they voted to tax their own property at a higher rate, and use the money to improve the downtown.  This is called a "BID" or a Business Improvement District. (its also called alternately a TIF--Tax Increment Financing)

The landowners passed the tax, and then they decided that the best way to use the money (they can literally use the money for anything----from road improvements to 900ft brittney spears statues) was to create DVI.

Since then, DVI has also received funds from the city council and other sources.

The 'problem' lies in the makeup of the downtown landowners.  Imagine how much money is contributed in the form of taxes for the BID from the parking lot companies.

I just realized I responded to you when I though it was Chris earlier ha ha my bust! But on the real is Moran apart of this DVI group, because his letter seems against them. The letter was kinda radical, but Stephan the part that spoke the loudest to me was the removing of benches & chairs in Hemming..The Jail does not need to be relocated unless its affordable. And on a serious note Panhandlers & Homeless are not the same, you are right, BUT for either to prevent the common man from shopping, eating, hanging out on Northbank is over my head man. This fear of this type of citizen ANNOYS the hell out of me. Its something I dont get. Maybe you understand this wasteful fear, but I do not. Ill go downtown of any city bums are no different than highrises, public transit, Street vendors, government building or bank buildings. Its apart of the game Stephan.

My advice to Moran is be more competitive. Maybe he is thinking too small? Maybe he is not ready for the Northbank hustle. Maybe he can adjust, but trying to make Northbank adjust TO HIM is wack. Thats all Im saying. Bums HAVE NO POWER,....THEY ARE BUMS.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Funny, Adecco, Starbucks, Life of the South, and too many other businesses of all sizes to name at this point, all seem to do just fine, except for in downtown Jacksonville. So Tufsu, a/k/a Occam's rusty safety razor, what do you find more likely; That virtually every single business down there closed because each and all of them were doing it wrong, or that there is a problem with the environment itself?

Starbucks closing 6 locations in Jacksonville area
Jacksonville Business Journal
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008, 11:50am EDT - Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2008, 3:05pm EDT Related:
Economic Snapshot

Six Jacksonville area locations are among the 600 Starbucks Coffee Co. stores to close.

The Seattle-based coffee company released the locations that include two in Jacksonville at 8060 Philips Highway and 11 E. Forsyth St., three in Orange Park at 1910 Wells Road, 410 Blanding Blvd. and 1907 Wells Road, and one in St. Johns County at 3055 County Road 210 W. The three slated closings leave about 29 Starbucks locations in Jacksonville area.

The local locations are among the 59 in Florida, making the state second in the number of closings only to California's 88. Texas had the third highest number of closings with 57. Collectively the California, Florida and Texas account for 33 percent of the 621 closings in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The company announced July 1 that it would close some 600 company-operated under performing stores in the U.S. beginning in July through the first half of Fiscal Year 2009.

Las Vegas had the most closings of any city in the nation with 13, followed by nine each in San Diego, Baton Rouge and Dallas. There were seven closings in Seattle, the company's home city, and 19 in the state of Washington.

Six Jacksonville area locations are among the 600 Starbucks Coffee Co. stores to close.

The Seattle-based coffee company released the locations that include two in Jacksonville at 8060 Philips Highway and 11 E. Forsyth St., three in Orange Park at 1910 Wells Road, 410 Blanding Blvd. and 1907 Wells Road, and one in St. Johns County at 3055 County Road 210 W. The three slated closings leave about 29 Starbucks locations in Jacksonville area.

The local locations are among the 59 in Florida, making the state second in the number of closings only to California's 88. Texas had the third highest number of closings with 57. Collectively the California, Florida and Texas account for 33 percent of the 621 closings in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The company announced July 1 that it would close some 600 company-operated under performing stores in the U.S. beginning in July through the first half of Fiscal Year 2009.

Las Vegas had the most closings of any city in the nation with 13, followed by nine each in San Diego, Baton Rouge and Dallas. There were seven closings in Seattle, the company's home city, and 19 in the state of Washington.



Read more: Starbucks closing 6 locations in Jacksonville area | Jacksonville Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/07/14/daily27.html

[ChriswUfGator]

Funny, Adecco, Starbucks, Life of the South, and too many other businesses of all sizes to name at this point, all seem to do just fine, except for in downtown Jacksonville. So Tufsu, a/k/a Occam's rusty safety razor, what do you find more likely; That virtually every single business down there closed because each and all of them were doing it wrong, or that there is a problem with the environment itself?

Starbucks closing 6 locations in Jacksonville area
Jacksonville Business Journal
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008, 11:50am EDT - Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2008, 3:05pm EDT Related:
Economic Snapshot

Six Jacksonville area locations are among the 600 Starbucks Coffee Co. stores to close.

The Seattle-based coffee company released the locations that include two in Jacksonville at 8060 Philips Highway and 11 E. Forsyth St., three in Orange Park at 1910 Wells Road, 410 Blanding Blvd. and 1907 Wells Road, and one in St. Johns County at 3055 County Road 210 W. The three slated closings leave about 29 Starbucks locations in Jacksonville area.

The local locations are among the 59 in Florida, making the state second in the number of closings only to California's 88. Texas had the third highest number of closings with 57. Collectively the California, Florida and Texas account for 33 percent of the 621 closings in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The company announced July 1 that it would close some 600 company-operated under performing stores in the U.S. beginning in July through the first half of Fiscal Year 2009.

Las Vegas had the most closings of any city in the nation with 13, followed by nine each in San Diego, Baton Rouge and Dallas. There were seven closings in Seattle, the company's home city, and 19 in the state of Washington.

Six Jacksonville area locations are among the 600 Starbucks Coffee Co. stores to close.

The Seattle-based coffee company released the locations that include two in Jacksonville at 8060 Philips Highway and 11 E. Forsyth St., three in Orange Park at 1910 Wells Road, 410 Blanding Blvd. and 1907 Wells Road, and one in St. Johns County at 3055 County Road 210 W. The three slated closings leave about 29 Starbucks locations in Jacksonville area.

The local locations are among the 59 in Florida, making the state second in the number of closings only to California's 88. Texas had the third highest number of closings with 57. Collectively the California, Florida and Texas account for 33 percent of the 621 closings in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The company announced July 1 that it would close some 600 company-operated under performing stores in the U.S. beginning in July through the first half of Fiscal Year 2009.

Las Vegas had the most closings of any city in the nation with 13, followed by nine each in San Diego, Baton Rouge and Dallas. There were seven closings in Seattle, the company's home city, and 19 in the state of Washington.



Read more: Starbucks closing 6 locations in Jacksonville area | Jacksonville Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/07/14/daily27.html

Yes, did you not see the word "underperforming" in your own article that you quoted?

So thanks for backing up my point. And FYI, Starbucks has 11,168 stores total, almost all of which are profitable, and opened 745 this year, which more than they closed during the downsizing you cited. So why hasn't this one opened back up?

[ChriswUfGator]

who runs DVI?  It should be kept in place but operated by a private board of property and business owners like Jerry that have a stake in it.

This is far & makes logical sense. Maybe DVI could be like SPAR or RAP?

DVI is the creation of a self imposed tax by the landowners downtown.  A decade ago they voted to tax their own property at a higher rate, and use the money to improve the downtown.  This is called a "BID" or a Business Improvement District. (its also called alternately a TIF--Tax Increment Financing)

The landowners passed the tax, and then they decided that the best way to use the money (they can literally use the money for anything----from road improvements to 900ft brittney spears statues) was to create DVI.

Since then, DVI has also received funds from the city council and other sources.

The 'problem' lies in the makeup of the downtown landowners.  Imagine how much money is contributed in the form of taxes for the BID from the parking lot companies.

I just realized I responded to you when I though it was Chris earlier ha ha my bust! But on the real is Moran apart of this DVI group, because his letter seems against them. The letter was kinda radical, but Stephan the part that spoke the loudest to me was the removing of benches & chairs in Hemming..The Jail does not need to be relocated unless its affordable. And on a serious note Panhandlers & Homeless are not the same, you are right, BUT for either to prevent the common man from shopping, eating, hanging out on Northbank is over my head man. This fear of this type of citizen ANNOYS the hell out of me. Its something I dont get. Maybe you understand this wasteful fear, but I do not. Ill go downtown of any city bums are no different than highrises, public transit, Street vendors, government building or bank buildings. Its apart of the game Stephan.

My advice to Moran is be more competitive. Maybe he is thinking too small? Maybe he is not ready for the Northbank hustle. Maybe he can adjust, but trying to make Northbank adjust TO HIM is wack. Thats all Im saying. Bums HAVE NO POWER,....THEY ARE BUMS.

I don't think Moran, or anyone else for that matter, is interested in taking advice from someone who hasn't a clue what they're talking about and has never actually run a business downtown, or probably at all. What's next, going to have the guys sleeping at Clara White give you advice on tax shelters? I guess it IS technically a shelter...

[sheclown]

Parking needs to be addressed.

Social issues need to be addressed.

Years ago, I was against the idea of moving social services out of the urban core b/c that is ...well...where the other services are.  Now, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to deal with our social problems (homelessness, mental health & etc) is to decentralize. 

If the city's churches, all of them, from the beaches to Chafee Road, reached out to a handful of vulnerable urban core dwellers, and adopted them, this social situation would be solved.  The city can't solve the problem, it is drowning in its own troubles. 

The faith community needs to rise up and take ownership.  And I'm not talking about getting in your SUV and driving downtown with a couple of sandwiches.  I'm talking about bringing some folks back into your church, your homes, your places of employment and really making a difference in people's lives.

The faith community is the only community with resources for a job like this.

Besides, there's a book somewhere that talks about doing just this sort of thing.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Besides, there's a book somewhere that talks about doing just this sort of thing.

I went to the library to check it out, and the clerk told me that it was checked out in your name. 

I apologize for the little dig, but from what I've read they are totally jerking you around, and for that I'm sorry.

[sheclown]

Besides, there's a book somewhere that talks about doing just this sort of thing.

I went to the library to check it out, and the clerk told me that it was checked out in your name. 

I apologize for the little dig, but from what I've read they are totally jerking you around, and for that I'm sorry.

funny guy!!  Love it.

[simms3]

Coolyfett...please answer my question to you and please type a somewhat reasonably intelligent post.  Don't let your emotions run your thoughts.  Bums can be a huge problem as they are in DT Jax, DT Atl, DT SF, and a few other notable spots.  Of course we all realize that bums/panhandlers are not even always homeless and homeless does not equal bum/panhandler, but a bum is a bum is a bum.  When I am out of cigs and want a smoke, I "bum" a cig from a friend.  I'm being a bum in that instance and I'm far from homeless but I am mooching off of someone else.  Jerry Moran has the best Italian restaurant in town and he definitely "steps his game up" and has handled the "hustle" of the Northbank for a pretty long while.  Please can you use different words, too?  Actually don't because it is something different in my day and does put a smile on my face so nevermind, LoL.  (I'm serious about putting a smile on my face, though, but it is hard to take some of your comments seriously because the language is a little casual)

[ChriswUfGator]

Coolyfett...please answer my question to you and please type a somewhat reasonably intelligent post.  Don't let your emotions run your thoughts.

That's a legitimate question. And the response from Coolyfett?

*crickets*chirping*

[Dog Walker]

Let's try a thought experiment.  What would happen if, instead of removing benches, fountains, etc. from downtown, we put MORE, LOTS MORE in place.  What would happen if each storefront and building had benches lining the sidewalk and had awning in place over them?

What would happen if we made all of downtown pedestrian and sitting friendly, not just a couple of parks?  Would this make the bum problem worse, better or just less concentrated?