Ed Austin dead at 84

[urbaknight]

I don't know much about him, but what I know are good things. My condolences to his family.

[Timkin]

what seems really shocking about this is what...about a month ago , maybe a little more , he and Mayor Jake was on TV Endorsing Audrey.

Jacksonville lost a good man  :/

[heights unknown]

When I left Jax in 1995, Jax was a much better City, and I think that was Mayor Austin's last year in office. A lot got done in the short time that he was Mayor. I guess he felt that he got so much accomplished in such a short time, that maybe he should give someone else a crack at it, and, it has taken a long long time to get the rest done! And it all is still unfinished!

[heights unknown]

Jake the Snake Godbold is still alive? He's got to be 112 right?

[urbaknight]

Can anyone tell me about Godbold? When he was mayor and what good did he do for JAX? I'm told he was one of the good ones. But that's all I got.

[johnnyroadglide]

Can anyone tell me about Godbold? When he was mayor and what good did he do for JAX? I'm told he was one of the good ones. But that's all I got.

Heres the short condensed version.
Godbold was elected to the Jacksonville city council in 1967 and served until 1979; he was city council president from 1971 to 1978. When mayor Hans Tanzler announced he would be resigning his position to run for governor of Florida in 1978, Godbold was appointed to take his place for the last six months of the term. He was elected in 1979 and re-elected in 1983. During his time as mayor Godbold initiated a number of "brick and mortar" projects to revitalize the city's failing downtown. He inititated the efforts to secure an NFL team, started the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, initiated the construction of the Jacksonville Landing and the Southbank Riverwalk, and secured funds for public housing that had been taken away by the federal government. His "creative" use of bond financing meant eight years of capital construction projects by the city.

If memory serves me correctly he also hosted a party in the old Gator Bowl for I believe it was Bob Irsay the then owner of the Baltimore Colts when they were in there "build us a better stadium or we'll move" phases. He invited the entire city to come out and welcome them.. Didn't go anywhere of course but it staretd the ball rolling.

[urbaknight]

Wow, thanks Johnny, for taking the time to tell me about Godbold. He did so much for the city. We could really use someone like that here today! Has he endorsed anyone for mayor yet?

[Timkin]

Oh yes of course. Hogan

[Wacca Pilatka]

The 1980s under Godbold were known as the "billion dollar decade" due to the extensive construction projects downtown.  In addition to the Landing and Riverwalk, the AHL (now SunTrust) building, the AT&T building, the Enterprise Center (Omni Hotel and former Florida National Bank HQ, now Wachovia), and Barnett Center began and/or completed construction.  Metro Park was developed under Godbold as well, Skyway construction began, the Florida Theatre was restored, and the station converted to a convention center.

Some in the city looked down on Godbold due to his northside background and tendency toward malaprops, but he proved to be a major force in restoring the city's pride in itself.  The drive for an NFL team, the massive downtown construction projects, and Godbold's overt and frequently expressed love for and pride in the city all helped to instill a greater pride in the city and belief in what it could be.

The blemishes on the Godbold era included some corruption in the city government, the decision to put the convention center in LaVilla rather than next to the Enterprise Center and Landing sites, the wasteful over-engineering of the Skyway, the Hemming Plaza project that ultimately shut the lights on the remaining downtown department stores, and the failure to execute the Riverwalk plan in full (omitting, e.g., a large fountain in the river, a lawn/amphitheater around the Friendship Fountain, a cafe/meeting space under Main St. Bridge, and a small aquarium or maritime museum attraction).

[Wacca Pilatka]

The Colt/Irsay rally was really something.  A funeral director from Jacksonville, knowing Irsay was casting about to move the Colts, sent a letter to Irsay on a flyer asking him to consider Jacksonville.  When Irsay expressed interest, Godbold in the span of one day orchestrated a whirlwind tour of the city and a massive rally at the Gator Bowl that 50-55,000 people attended. 

[urbaknight]

Well, no body's perfect, the POCC was a huge mistake. Just have to take the bad with the good, his accomplishments outweigh the mistakes. Besides, moving the convention center(although expensive) can be done, hopefully in the not too distant future.

[danno]

The Colt/Irsay rally was really something.  A funeral director from Jacksonville, knowing Irsay was casting about to move the Colts, sent a letter to Irsay on a flyer asking him to consider Jacksonville.  When Irsay expressed interest, Godbold in the span of one day orchestrated a whirlwind tour of the city and a massive rally at the Gator Bowl that 50-55,000 people attended. 

I was there and it was a memorable day.  The highlights were Irsay flying into the Gator Bowl in a helecopter and Mayor Jake giving everyone in attendance "Free Hot Dogs and Cold Dranks"

[urbaknight]

The Colt/Irsay rally was really something.  A funeral director from Jacksonville, knowing Irsay was casting about to move the Colts, sent a letter to Irsay on a flyer asking him to consider Jacksonville.  When Irsay expressed interest, Godbold in the span of one day orchestrated a whirlwind tour of the city and a massive rally at the Gator Bowl that 50-55,000 people attended. 

I was there and it was a memorable day.  The highlights were Irsay flying into the Gator Bowl in a helecopter and Mayor Jake giving everyone in attendance "Free Hot Dogs and Cold Dranks"

What a class act! Is there any other office he can still run for?

[johnnyroadglide]

Sure he could run for anything..even mayor again if he wanted to. I think he just enjoys retirement. The Jake Goldbold City Hall Annex downtown on Laura St is named after him. They have some pictures of him and some historical items on the wall in the lobby.

[Timkin]

I think you're right JRG.. Goldbold could go back to doing pretty much whatever.. In fact , Id rather have him in place as Governor.