FBC Trying to Ruin Artwalk??

[Charles Hunter]

Or,  with the FBC members on Council and (please, no) the Mayor's Office, and political pressure on the others, choke off any "non compatible" activity in DT.

[Gen7]

1.  Be glad we have a vibrant DT one night a month.
2.  Embrace tolerance and diversity.
3.  Ride the Skyway.
4.  Art walk could be on the first Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday night of each month. 

[uptowngirl]

Spoken as someone who never gets DT at night, except Wednesday and then only to be waived through traffic and rushed into church....DT is vibrant on other nights, it just seems sad that one group escalates their own needs over every other, including the people who actually LIVE here. That being said, your point is well taken. The core has been talking forever about going out to YOUR neighborhood with the homeless and feeding/clothing them, rerouting traffic for meetings that makes it hard for you to get to your home, and of course leaving all the debris behind that all of this entails for YOU to pick up.

One day DT will be treated like the jewel it is, not the outhouse some want it to be.

[Garden guy]

Or,  with the FBC members on Council and (please, no) the Mayor's Office, and political pressure on the others, choke off any "non compatible" activity in DT.

I'd love to know exactly how many council memebers go the FBC...anyone know?

[fieldafm]

As someone who goes downtown at night about 3-4 times a week, including Art Walk, I have NEVER had an issue parking or accessing downtown b/c of FBC.

Some of you guys/gals need to take a deep breath and relax.

Full disclosure: I am not a member of FBC nor am I Baptist.

[Captain Zissou]

^ They really need to put a note at the bottom of the stairwell saying 'you probably don't want to go out this way'. 

The actual time required to scale the fence was brief, but I ended up bruising my legs.

You really must tell the story!

As you wish...........


When I couldn't find a spot, I parked at the garage just north of the Library.  I was on the third floor, so I had to get down to the street.  Being in a good mood, I declined a man who was holding the elevator for me, as I wanted to take the stairs.  At the time, I was on the phone chatting with a friend I was supposed to meet up with at Hemming Plaza.  I jogged down the stairs and hit the first floor.  There was only one unmarked door leading out the other side of the stairwell on the first floor.  Thinking it led directly outside, I pushed the door open and walked through.

Before I could react, the door closed behind me.  I looked to the left at the street and noticed a 10 foot iron fence with a pad lock between either side.  I tried to open the door I entered through, but it was locked.  All around me were 4 story concrete walls and locked doors.  The alley was only about 40 feet deep and 15 feet wide, but it was very isolated.  I looked out on the street and saw noone, so I decided my only option was up and over the fence.  The whole time I was explaining my predicament to my friend, who was half laughing-half concerned.  Realizing I wouldn't be able to scale the fence phone in hand, I asked if I could call her back.  The response was 'Yeah....That's probably best.'

I put the phone away, zipped up all jacket pockets, put my wallet in my front pockets, and fetched up my jeans.  This wasn't a chain link fence, so I had nothing horizontal to use until the top of the fence.  Luckily, there was a power outlet anchored to one of the vertical poles.  I managed to jump onto the power outlet and from there to the top of a dumpster.  Then, in a half skilled fashion, i leaped from the dumpster to the top of the fence.  I was mostly over the fence when my right leg snagged on a spike on the top of the fence.  I managed to stop my momentum, free my leg, and swing myself onto the ground.  Luckily, only 2 emo girls saw this whole fiasco.  I brushed myself off and went on to meet my friend. It wasn't until 2 days later that the massive bruise started to form above my right knee.

So, if you're in the library garage, DONT TAKE THE STAIRS ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST FLOOR!!!

[Bativac]

As you wish...........


When I couldn't find a spot, I parked at the garage just north of the Library.  I was on the third floor, so I had to get down to the street.  Being in a good mood, I declined a man who was holding the elevator for me, as I wanted to take the stairs.  At the time, I was on the phone chatting with a friend I was supposed to meet up with at Hemming Plaza.  I jogged down the stairs and hit the first floor.  There was only one unmarked door leading out the other side of the stairwell on the first floor.  Thinking it led directly outside, I pushed the door open and walked through.

Before I could react, the door closed behind me.  I looked to the left at the street and noticed a 10 foot iron fence with a pad lock between either side.  I tried to open the door I entered through, but it was locked.  All around me were 4 story concrete walls and locked doors.  The alley was only about 40 feet deep and 15 feet wide, but it was very isolated.  I looked out on the street and saw noone, so I decided my only option was up and over the fence.  The whole time I was explaining my predicament to my friend, who was half laughing-half concerned.  Realizing I wouldn't be able to scale the fence phone in hand, I asked if I could call her back.  The response was 'Yeah....That's probably best.'

I put the phone away, zipped up all jacket pockets, put my wallet in my front pockets, and fetched up my jeans.  This wasn't a chain link fence, so I had nothing horizontal to use until the top of the fence.  Luckily, there was a power outlet anchored to one of the vertical poles.  I managed to jump onto the power outlet and from there to the top of a dumpster.  Then, in a half skilled fashion, i leaped from the dumpster to the top of the fence.  I was mostly over the fence when my right leg snagged on a spike on the top of the fence.  I managed to stop my momentum, free my leg, and swing myself onto the ground.  Luckily, only 2 emo girls saw this whole fiasco.  I brushed myself off and went on to meet my friend. It wasn't until 2 days later that the massive bruise started to form above my right knee.

So, if you're in the library garage, DONT TAKE THE STAIRS ALL THE WAY TO THE FIRST FLOOR!!!

That was the city of Jacksonville telling you "Here's what you get for coming downtown! Expect more o' the same until you get wise!"

[BridgeTroll]

  Hilarious...

I was mostly over the fence when my right leg snagged on a spike on the top of the fence.

Happens to me every time!

Thanks Cap'n Z!

[Debbie Thompson]

Oh, no!  Since you came out of it OK, Captain Z, I'll say it's a funny story.

I'm with fieldafm about the chill pill.  I've been to other large churches in the suburbs that utilize off duty policemen to direct traffic when services let out. It isn't just FBC downtown.  When there are a lot of people all leaving at the same time, it makes sense.  It's only mildly inconvenient and lasts only a couple of hours.  On Wednesday night, I now know to go around FBC instead of trying to get out to Springfield via Laura Street after being caught in the re-routing once or twice.

[uptowngirl]

I think it is the disregard for everyone else, especially those of us living down town. But hey I complain about the Jags Interstate on game days too. It is really frustrating trying to get DT on Sundays when you have the church and Jag games. I guess if I was like most people in Jax and just went DT once in a while it would not be that big of a deal.

[BridgeTroll]

The good news... is... at least a couple times a month... we actually have a traffic issue downtown.  This is something to build on.

[Garden guy]

i don't have a problem with the church but i do have a problem with the taxes that they don't pay....our city and downtown is dying and these guys want to hang on to all of the money and help no one...look at their back door...where are all of their social programs...oh i forgot...baptist don't believe in helping others unless you are a sworn in southern baptist and everyone else is headed to hades....sorry but the truth sucks...

[fsujax]

GG some fo your comments really are misguided. "Baptist dont believe in helping anyone who isnt a Baptist", ever heard of Operation Christmas Child? come on now, do a little research.

[Garden guy]

GG some fo your comments really are misguided. "Baptist dont believe in helping anyone who isnt a Baptist", ever heard of Operation Christmas Child? come on now, do a little research.

NO i have never hear of that program...does it help the homeless and destitute at their back door?

[Wacca Pilatka]

GG some fo your comments really are misguided. "Baptist dont believe in helping anyone who isnt a Baptist", ever heard of Operation Christmas Child? come on now, do a little research.

NO i have never hear of that program...does it help the homeless and destitute at their back door?

My church certainly does, and you're torpedoing your arguments with your sweeping stereotypes.

OCC is a massive collection program to deliver Christmas care packages to children in destitute and war-torn areas around the world.  Participants fill shoeboxes with toys, toiletries, school supplies, and nonperishable treats.