Mike Hogan Wants To Build Convention Center, Moran Wins Straw Vote

[thelakelander]

Mike Hogan finally attended a mayoral debate and mentioned something about what he wants for downtown.

The mayoral debate at the Southside Business Men's Club meeting Wednesday didn't have much new discussion, but did feature a popular unscientific novelty that always gets people talking. A straw poll.  The three Republicans who attended the debate finished in the top three among the 74 votes.  Audrey Moran, president of the Sulzabacher Center for the homeless, won with 35 votes. Former General Counsel Rick Mullaney had 23 and Duval County Tax Collector Mike Hogan had 15, according to Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland.

One new kernel of potential policy came from Hogan, who did not attend a downtown-centric forum last week at the Modis Building. While stressing taxpayers have paid enough into downtown, he broadly outlined a vision for a "Miracle Mile" that would start at The Jacksonville Landing and run to a potential cruise terminal at the old Ford assembly plant in Talleyrand. Hogan wants to build a convention center after the Duval County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex close in the next few years. He says the hotels that would be sprouting up could pay for the center.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/matt-galnor/2011-02-02/top-three-gop-candidates-debate-business-club-moran-wins

[BridgeTroll]

outlined a vision for a "Miracle Mile" that would start at The Jacksonville Landing and run to a potential cruise terminal at the old Ford assembly plant in Talleyrand. Hogan wants to build a convention center after the Duval County Courthouse and Courthouse Annex close in the next few years.

Mike really needs to credit this site...

[spuwho]

More ideas, more "vision" once again. We have enough of that.

Jacksonville needs execution.

My loose personal straw poll shows that typical people on the street don't know or aren't sure.

Business people I talk to say Moran has the grassroots, Mullaney has some business leaders, Hogan is losing ground fast. If Hogan is serious, he needs to stop canceling appearances. He has the highest name recognition of any candidate, but fails to show and people are starting to notice.

[mfc]

I was at the forum at south side busineesmens club today. This is the oldest and strongest business club in north florida. Very interesting because mike hogan actully shoes up. He talked more about his experience with southern bell where he used to work many many years ago than his last 20 years as an elected councilman, member of the house of representatives and as elected tax collector. I commend him for finally discussing downtown. He wants to build a convention center by using the bed tax. The only problem is the bed tax is all obligated to other capital projects and could not come close for years to building the convention center.  At least he finally showed up. Mullaney spoke and kept referring to his 32? Point plan. He spoke in so many specifics and in so many directions it was complicated and confusing. On the other hand. Moran was very big picture with enough specifics to paint a clear picture of moving the city forward. She has a passion that is contagious. You got the sense she would be the mayor to move our city forward and begin to partner with the business community to create an excellent environment for economic development. Small and large business expansion and job creation. Also, I loved her approach to education. It is well thought out and her desire and fire to lead came through. This is why overwhelmingly she won at the south side busineesmens club. This was a huge boost to her candidacy and a real set back to the others. Good for her!!

[duvaldude08]

I dunno... Everything Hogan says sounds good, but it is nothing we have not been promised before. Moran is my first choice and Mullney is my second. We need alot more than a "miracle mile" to reinvent our downtown. hopefully we hear more from him that will change our minds.

[thelakelander]

Haven't we heard of this "miracle mile" / "billion dollar mile" thing before?  My concern over that is it ignores the fact that urban vibrancy is developed by pedestrian scale connectivity that's created by locating complementing uses within a compact walkable setting. 

[Garden guy]

As republicans i will not trust any of these guys' and gal decisions..if they follow the republican way of doing things...i trust them only to take as much as they can and give as many contracts to friends and family...it's the way things have gone in this city and i don't see things changing any time soon...so...for me...it'll be much of the same for these people...

[Ocklawaha]

Haven't we heard of this "miracle mile" / "billion dollar mile" thing before?  My concern over that is it ignores the fact that urban vibrancy is developed by pedestrian scale connectivity that's created by locating complementing uses within a compact walkable setting. 

Maybe so, but at least Mike Hogan specifically pointed out we need a convention center, cruise port, etc... Has ANYONE ELSE said that?

OCKLAWAHA

[fsujax]

I have to agree with Ock on that one. At least he has said. Still not sure who to vote for. Leaning Moran.

[thelakelander]

Actually, both Moran and Mullaney have also mentioned the need for a convention center and cruise port.  What was stated isn't anything new.  However, the issue would be the priorities in accomplishing the goal and how those priorities align with the concept of pedestrian scale connectivity (which DT will need for vibrancy).  A million dollar mile is doomed to fail just like the old billion dollar mile concept.  With that in mind, Moran's talking points for DT revitalization and Mullaney's plan of creating an urban medical district are more logical solutions for stimulating long term organic economic growth for the core.

[BridgeTroll]

As republicans i will not trust any of these guys' and gal decisions..if they follow the republican way of doing things...i trust them only to take as much as they can and give as many contracts to friends and family...it's the way things have gone in this city and i don't see things changing any time soon...so...for me...it'll be much of the same for these people...

We know GG...

[duvaldude08]

Personally I just sick of the pipe dreams. We need someone who is going to follow through with the plans. Once he unveils a cohesive plan in regard to how we are going to develop the "miracle mile.", I am not buying it. There are only two previous mayors that had plans for downtown and followed through with it,  Jack Godbold and John Delaney. Personally, I would rather not be promised things of this nature. Because when it doesnt happen, the citizens of Jacksonville will be let down once again.

[duvaldude08]

Actually, both Moran and Mullaney have also mentioned the need for a convention center and cruise port.  What was stated isn't anything new.  However, the issue would be the priorities in accomplishing the goal and how those priorities align with the concept of pedestrian scale connectivity (which DT will need for vibrancy).  A million dollar mile is doomed to fail just like the old billion dollar mile concept.  With that in mind, Moran's talking points for DT revitalization and Mullaney's plan of creating an urban medical district are more logical solutions for stimulating long term organic economic growth for the core.

+10

[Captain Zissou]

I wouldn't even want Hogan's miracle mile.  If he's talking about our large cruise terminal, it doesn't make sense to put it at the Ford plant.  If we do that, we're just relegating ourselves to being a small time player in the cruise industry.  We need to go east of the Dames Point.  

I was at art walk last night with a few people who were musing about downtown.  It seemed like we reached a stalemate when we all agreed that there is no reason for anyone to come downtown because it's trash and the city won't allow you to be profitable.  Only true urban pioneers and completely altruistic saints would invest in downtown.  No mom and pops, no profit driven businessmen.  

One thing to note.  I parked in the lot just north of the Main Street homeless bathroom (pocket park) and was greeted by an employee who swiftly asked for $5.  I told him I'd park on the street.  He laughed at me and said I'd never find anything.  He said if I really didn't want to pay the money, I could park across the street where they have an 'honor system' and they probably wouldn't check.  I found a street full of spots at Hogan and Ashley.  I parked the exact same distance from Hemming and Moca for free, just because I was willing to look.

[Dapperdan]

Would it make any sense to have two cruise ports? One for smaller Carnival Fascination type ships in the Talleyrand area and one for larger ships out Mayport way?