Guess Who is "Making A Scene Downtown" tonight?

[SunKing]

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.

[arteest]

Jerry has the worst execution when he tries to make a point. I enjoy his passion but he shoots himself in the foot every single time.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I don't see this fight as "Jerry vs. the bums".  I see this as a request to the city to use its resources wisely and dealing with the social problems downtown is an important issue on that list.

Problem as I see it, the bums, homeless, vagrants, Urban Outdoorsmen, (insert your favorite term), etc is one of Mr. Moran's bigger issues.  As a business owner you rely on word of mouth to generate more business.  Advertising is great, but nothing compares to a friend's recommendation, agreed?  I'm going to post a video that he posted a while back, and I ask you all, "If you were involved or witnessed the incident below, would you recommend his restaurant to someone else or would you tell the story, 'How I was Almost/I Saw Someone Almost Get Killed at La Cena'?"  Personally, I can't blame the guy (Moran) for making the bums his biggest issue, because IMO it affects his bank account the most.

http://www.youtube.com/v/0ZXHp6bsCow?version=3

BTW - if you look at the time stamp, this is at 2 in the afternoon.

[fsujax]

It is sad that people who are putting their money and efforts in Downtown still feel this way. I have to say I do not completely disagree with him. Everytime I go Downtown, I just get depressed. Thinking about all the wasted potential. When oh when are things going to change? It seems like some things should be easy to fix, like the parking meter situation.

[thelakelander]

^Affordable solutions to many of DT's ailments aren't exactly rocket science.  Especially, when you can copy success stories from cities spread out over 49 other states and 66 other counties in Florida.  There needs to be turnover in leadership.  IMO, thats what's holding DT back.

[ChriswUfGator]

And Moran is spot on with parking.

[Coolyfett]

It is sad that people who are putting their money and efforts in Downtown still feel this way. I have to say I do not completely disagree with him. Everytime I go Downtown, I just get depressed. Thinking about all the wasted potential. When oh when are things going to change? It seems like some things should be easy to fix, like the parking meter situation.

People dont come to Northbank, because they dont see what to do there. What company promotes their location on the Northbank? I think Marks is th only one I ever saw ads for. The word of mouth is not strong enough. People can blame parking & bums all they want. That issue applies to Uptowners & Riversiders. What is there to DO on Northbank that John Doe would leave Murray Hill for? What is there to DO for Jane X when she comes down there. Most people on this forum, visit or hang in the core districts because there is an interest. The problem is enough people in Jax or not interested. So making the core MORE Interesting is what it takes. Why would someone who lives on Baymeadows, Moncrief or Blanding come to the core districts when everything they need is right there where they live. Again parking & bums is not the issue why the common suburban citizen doesnt visit Northbank, its lack of interest. Rats & mice go where the cheese is. 

[ChriswUfGator]

You're wrong, parking and bums is why all the businesses left. Without businesses, there are naturally no customers. Is this really that hard to figure out? Who is going to go down there  and get a parking ticket just to look around at empty buildings.

And let me guess...just like everyone else who makes these arguments, you don't have a business downtown, do you? Nope. You are going to sit safely ensconced behind your keyboard and say that the dozens of business owners of every size who've fled the north bank and cited these reasons are wrong, despite having no professional experience with it or any of your own skin in the game. Nice.

[Coolyfett]

...Hold a sec...This Moran guy is a member of this site...I had de ju moments reading the letter, he was on the Jazz Fest thread. Northbank is a district for everyone, bums included. Look im not a bum supporter,but no one has the right to kick bums out of Northbank. I say if you over populate the area with normal citizens the bums become the minorities. I know this guy runs a business, but the problem I see is there is not enough businesses bringing in shoppers & diners. Lower the cost so that new business can set up. Northbank is dying because local government is allowing it to. What there to do on a regular basis? What are the options? It will be interesting the opinions to come on this thread. If a certain bum is causing trouble than yea, call police and let them do their job ( I know I know Uptowners, JSO sucks but its Northbank not Springfiled) So JSO should be welcome in the area. Bums use the library, but if normal citizens out number the bums then what? Its a public library the whole ID, Social Security Card, PassPort, Military ID thing is nuts. Dont you need an ID card to use the PCs in there?

If you're so outraged at Jerry's statements concerning the vagrants, then why don't you step up and take them all over to your place?

Dude?? Really? You making this discussion about bums? Outraged? No. Confused? Maybe....I dont believe in GIVING bums/homeless/vagrats/panhandler MORE POWER than they deserve, they are friggin bums, muscle em out of the way and conduct business. The weakest group of america generates so much fear?? They are bums teach them THEIR place in society not the other way around. Now Chris how outragious is that? ha ha ha ha

[Coolyfett]

You're wrong, parking and bums is why all the businesses left. Without businesses, there are naturally no customers. Is this really that hard to figure out? Who is going to go down there  and get a parking ticket just to look around at empty buildings.

And let me guess...just like everyone else who makes these arguments, you don't have a business downtown, do you? Nope. You are going to sit safely ensconced behind your keyboard and say that the dozens of business owners of every size who've fled the north bank and cited these reasons are wrong, despite having no professional experience with it or any of your own skin in the game. Nice.

Their business closed because their product SUCKED. Bums & Parking is cop out. Sorry Im not buying it. Create an interesting place to go, and people will come.


(Allen Iverson voice)

Were talking about BUMS?

BUMS?

not murderers or rapist, But BUMS?

BUMS?

[Coolyfett]

I don't see this fight as "Jerry vs. the bums".  I see this as a request to the city to use its resources wisely and dealing with the social problems downtown is an important issue on that list.

I was taking it as just that, BUT I saw some things about the Downtown Vision group, they also have people that post here. so i will be interesting to see how they respond. It may not be a Jerry vs Bums smackoff, but the removing of lunch tables & benches was about bum, a normal citizen like me uses those same chairs & tables. The social problems will never go away, especially in the main core district Northbank. I saw bums in Riverside, Springfield, Southbank & San Marco, yet people still live & go to these areas. Springfield & Riverside are perfect examples of when happen when an area is over popuation with good well meaning citizens vs it being filled with the poverty destructive types. Thats the point Im making about Northbank.

[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?

[ChriswUfGator]

You're wrong, parking and bums is why all the businesses left. Without businesses, there are naturally no customers. Is this really that hard to figure out? Who is going to go down there  and get a parking ticket just to look around at empty buildings.

And let me guess...just like everyone else who makes these arguments, you don't have a business downtown, do you? Nope. You are going to sit safely ensconced behind your keyboard and say that the dozens of business owners of every size who've fled the north bank and cited these reasons are wrong, despite having no professional experience with it or any of your own skin in the game. Nice.

Their business closed because their product SUCKED. Bums & Parking is cop out. Sorry Im not buying it. Create an interesting place to go, and people will come.


(Allen Iverson voice)

Were talking about BUMS?

BUMS?

not murderers or rapist, But BUMS?

BUMS?

You ought to call up Starbucks and tell them how badly their business sucks. LMAO...

As usual, no clue what you're talking about.

[Coolyfett]

You're wrong, parking and bums is why all the businesses left. Without businesses, there are naturally no customers. Is this really that hard to figure out? Who is going to go down there  and get a parking ticket just to look around at empty buildings.

And let me guess...just like everyone else who makes these arguments, you don't have a business downtown, do you? Nope. You are going to sit safely ensconced behind your keyboard and say that the dozens of business owners of every size who've fled the north bank and cited these reasons are wrong, despite having no professional experience with it or any of your own skin in the game. Nice.

Their business closed because their product SUCKED. Bums & Parking is cop out. Sorry Im not buying it. Create an interesting place to go, and people will come.


(Allen Iverson voice)

Were talking about BUMS?

BUMS?

not murderers or rapist, But BUMS?

BUMS?

Coolyfett, you really don't know what you are talking about on this subject.  Jerry Moran does a magnificent job of muddying the issues so badly that you get distracted by his right wing politics and his constant use of the word 'bums'.  Starbucks didnt suck.  Moon Colony Razorblade didnt suck. Boomtown didnt Suck, Moto Lounge didnt Suck, Club Heaven didnt 'suck'.

These are normally the assholey claims made by either tufsu1 or dganson to explain why downtown is so deserted.  But if you can step back for a moment from the politics, there is a difference between the panhandlers and the homeless.  By and large it isnt the homeless that are the problem.

The panhandlers usually have homes and live not too far away.

Jerry's demands that the public amenities like benches and street furniture be taken away are patently absurd, and will only make downtown more forbidding for middle class or casual customers.

I agree, downtown needs to be more welcoming and cooler to attract more people, and Jerry's crusade to shut down the parks, turn off the water fountains, remove the benches, and other similar programs has done the exact opposite.  If anything the downtown needs more amenities.  The area simply cannot succeed if the only design concept is 'make the bums physically uncomfortable'.

But La Cena is a great restaurant and is one of the few draws left to downtown cooly.

Hopefully you can chill a bit and reconsider your comments about downtown businesses sucking.  They deal with things that no other business in the city has to deal with.

Maybe the word SUCKS was the wrong word, UNDERPROMOTED or UNDERRATED would be better, and yes I am an asshole, an honest asshole. BUT, still the fact remain that.....hold Starbucks was a corporate close was it not?? They were making money. I remember Boomtown, that was like a poetry joint right?? Wasnt Stephan Dare over that?? That goes in the UNDERATED catagory easily. So again Chris Im not seeing eye to eye removing chairs & tables in Hemming or benches...The Main Street park was lame idea...was it not? Who made that happen? This is why the SJTC being where it is bothers many, because a development like that DOES create interest. The interest is needed on Northbank, Southbank, Springfield & Riverside, In that order..

I like this Chris. Im enjoying myself. Its your turn now.

More Fiya! More Fiya!

[tufsu1]

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.