What we learned from the Super Bowl 2005

[duvaldude08]

Six years later, What do you think we learned as a city by hosting the Super Bowl? Personally, I think the criticism we received really opened our eyes to some of the problems that plague our city, specifically downtown. The comments were hurtful. but the truth. One positive that came from the SB is the outdoor seating on Bay street and the expansion of the entertainment district. Experimented with it during the SB and now we have expanded it.  It took a long time, which everything does here, but it happen

I also think it taught us How to put on big events. The evolution of the Jazz Festival is just an example. I went to the one this year and it was VERY well put together. I did not even feel like I was in Jacksonville. And now we actually a night life downtown, with news bars and restaurants opening every other month. We also have organized events such as the Arts Market, Art walk and Pub Crawl that I think out of towners would really enjoy. I could go on and on all day, but those are the things that I have noticed.

What do you think our chances are hosting another one? I mean the hotel issue was the biggest negative. However, since 2005 the presence of hotels have exploded in Jacksonville,including opening another hotel close to the core. (hilton/doubletree) I wish I knew the actual numbers.

PS Always remember they talked about Tampa just as bad as they did Jacksonville the first time they hosted the superbowl. Its all a learning experience.

[Rynjny]

We're not getting another superbowl..

[TheProfessor]

I think the bay street nightlife was the biggest offshoot of the SB.  Now if only the whole Bay Street corridor could be realized from the stadium to downtown that would be excellent.  I don't know if the cruise ship industry was another offshoot of the SB in JAX as well?  I think JAX has a chance at hosting another superbowl in the future for sure.

[duvaldude08]

We're not getting another superbowl..

Tampa was dogged just as we were the first time they hosted the SB. And they hosted several since. Its all about learning from your mistakes, and correcting them. The NFL is not as stiff nosed as people think when it comes to getting the SB. If you meet the requirements, you will be considered. Heck we didnt even meet the hotel room requirement and they still granted us the game. So.....Not saying it will be anytime soon dont get me wrong. We still have alot of work to do

[ThisDJ]

What I heard thru the grapevine was that the NFL was not too happy that all the things that the city presented in their SuperBowl Proposal.....  it didn't provide.

The Cruise Ships was the biggest issue. From what I heard the city promised that at least 3 ships were to be docked along the ship yards area of the river, but of course that was logistically impossible (due to the connections the ships needed, and waste disposal, etc.)

Also there was a issue with lack of "superbowl caliber" venues for events, and hotel rooms.

I have been to the last 4 Superbowls, and cities like Miami, Tampa and Dallas are equipped to handle the madness.  Even with all the weather issues last year in Dallas things ran pretty smoothly.

2005 was just our first attempt.......  but it honestly still puzzles me that we aren't even thought about when the 2 other FL cities are always first on the list.   

[duvaldude08]

Also there was a issue with lack of "superbowl caliber" venues for events, and hotel rooms.

I thought about venues as well. Aside from Mertropark, The Landing , The Arena I can not think of many either. Now what I was thinking was about the proposed Ampi Theatre for Brooklyn Parkand the small one proposed for Friendship Fountain. I think more outdoor venue's of this nature in the core are a plus. As far as the rooms, we were 10,000 rooms short of their requirement. Maybe I'm stretching it, but I think we maybe almost there now, or atleast half way. We got work to do definitely.

Traffic wise, the completion of the I-10/95 interchange, and Bay and Laura street being made two ways would help in that area. We are just not set up to host events of that size. If we want to again, we have to make some more changes.

[I-10east]

Tampa was dogged just as we were the first time they hosted the SB. And they hosted several since. Its all about learning from your mistakes, and correcting them. The NFL is not as stiff nosed as people think when it comes to getting the SB. If you meet the requirements, you will be considered. Heck we didnt even meet the hotel room requirement and they still granted us the game. So.....Not saying it will be anytime soon dont get me wrong. We still have alot of work to do

Well said. I can't stand when some people say"were not getting a SB" like it's a stone cold fact; I have no problem with people having opinions, but to say were not getting it like it's a done deal, they should let me know where they brought that crystal ball from. So basically by saying "We will never get a SB" equates to saying Jax's DT will NEVER improve in the future, which is an unreasonably negative attitude. So "were not getting a SB" people come with your facts; I'll be happy to debate with you all day.

[jcjohnpaint]

Anything can happen.  We do have work to do- most removing greedy or stupid politicians, but this is going to happen.  DT will come back I can feel it. 

[Noone]

That our river Downtown is a Destination. We are getting better at putting on HUGE events. It is what we do during the non event hype that is the key to maintain a sustainable buzz that you want to VISIT JACKSONVILLE during these off peak events that will snowball the anticipation when the big events come around.

Anyone want to kayak Hogans Creek or under the TU on McCoys Creek?  Kayak under the Hyatt. Visit Exchange Club Island,  Float by the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier aka Jacksonville's Tradeport Pier. Imagine a container with a bank of kiosks directing everyone to all the activities that you can access once you step on the pier. We are a port city. Visit the Adams then say "Whats next to do."

[CG7]

I volunteered everyday during Superbowl week, and I know the actual fans I came in contact with were always having a good time. I was always shocked to read what the media was saying, after having been in the thick of the action and seeing everyone having a good time. I know for a fact a lot of people left with a positive outlook on jacksonville.

[Jason]

From what I gathered after talking to quite a few NE and Philly fans during the festivities is that they were pleasantly surprised.  They enjoyed the beaches in february!

On the negative they really had no idea what else to do and how/where to do it.  They didn't mind having to drive to their destinations but complained that everything they did find was sooooo far away. 

All that I spoke with also visited St. Augustine for the first time and loved it.  There was also one guy (NE Fan) that was shocked that so many locals were so interested in his impression of Jax.  He said "Youz guyz must really love this town."

The general concensus was that they weren't excited about coming to Jax for a superbowl but ended up having a good time anyways.

[Tacachale]

To me, the Super Bowl was yet more positive momentum we didn't fully capitalize on. Sure, we opened up Bay Street and allowed the venues to have sidewalk seating, and as a result those bars are the only ones downtown that consistently keep open. But instead of saying "wow, that shit works! Let's expand on this," we just let the idea sit for five years. Even now that they've (theoretically) expanded the entertainment district, Burro Bar still doesn't have sidewalk seating, despite the fact that the last bar in that space had it. Just more of our amazing potential that we don't properly channel.

I won't bank on having another Super Bowl anytime soon (anyway, I'd rather make sure we have our NFL team first, and that they get to a Super Bowl wherever it is). But let's not rule it out out of hand. The NFL is certainly continuing their push to play Super Bowls in unconventional areas; since us they've been in Phoenix, Dallas, and now even Indianapolis. I'm optimistic that we'll grow into an even stronger NFL market and a fantastic Super Bowl destination.

As for our success in other big events downtown, we have indeed done fantastic with things like the Jazz Festival. But that was all the work of Teresa Price's team, and for her efforts the mayor just fired her, for reasons best known to himself. I doubt these things will be nearly as successful this year.

[tufsu1]

We're not getting another superbowl..

Tampa was dogged just as we were the first time they hosted the SB. And they hosted several since.

and just lost out for 2014 and 2015...and they are surmising that Tampa may never see another one

[Rynjny]

Tampa have a Casino and Amusement park for entertainment also...why jacksonville can't have those?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

and just lost out for 2014 and 2015...and they are surmising that Tampa may never see another one

Not to say the Buccaneer's won't.   Cheerio, then.