First Coast Forum: The Downtown Dilemma

[tufsu1]

the odd part is Richard Clark was supposed to be the anti-guy....and, refreshingly, he's been very positive

[thelakelander]

Just getting back in.  Completely unexpected script.  I thought it would be more of a debate but it was a discussion with each panelist answering different questions specifically addressed to them.  I was pleasantly surprised with Councilman Clark's position and loved Jack's (Burro Bar & Bag's) enthusiasm.  Anyway, I hear that 80% of it couldn't be heard.  They're going to play it again next Thursday night.

[ronchamblin]

Did good Lake.  Although the forum was somewhat interesting, it seemed to rehash old stuff.  Perhaps I'm just impatient for solid decisions, moves, and action.  Forgive me but I like to get sh#t done.  I guess one couldn't fault the moderator.  What else could she have done?  At least the forum might have made some of the outlying people aware of the city core.

BTW, I found myself today downtown, and needing a white shirt and a tie for an event late in the afternoon.  I walked Laura and Adams, then walked to the landing.  No white shirt or tie at any store.  I then drove the Roosevelt Square to Steinmart to purchase a shirt and two ties.

This is not to say that a men's clothing store could survive in the core with the current low level of foot traffic.  However, it does illustrate just how sparse our core is regarding "things" people need at times.  I have often wondered what retail will survive in the downtown core right now; that is, with the current level of foot traffic.  If I could determine what "would" survive, I would try to convince someone to open whatever it was.  I don't have the time, money, or energy to open another store. 

[tufsu1]

^ from what I hear, there will be a new men's clothing store opening at the Landing soon

[thelakelander]

Did good Lake.  Although the forum was somewhat interesting, it seemed to rehash old stuff.  Perhaps I'm just impatient for solid decisions, moves, and action.  Forgive me but I like to get sh#t done.  I guess one couldn't fault the moderator.  What else could she have done?  At least the forum might have made some of the outlying people aware of the city core.

It was structured that way.  It was hard to veer off the chosen path.  I thought there was too much focus on the office component and SJTC.  SJTC is a mall.  Every city has them.  It's success or failure really has nothing to do with the condition of the urban core.

[Noone]

Now, how you properly drive redevelopment and investment is where the fight will be.

I think that you've hit this nail on the head several times, Lakelander, but removing a lot of the needless restrictions and regulations is the first step. Government needs to get out the way and let the market work. You think this idea wouldn't be so hard to sell in a city as conservative as Jacksonville, but every city department seems to want to keep sticking their nose into everything that every business tries to do.

Our city leaders have been too hung up on the one-trick pony--finding some big development to come in and "save" downtown. Well, decades later, it still hasn't come. Let's create an environment where the mom-and-pop businesses--the life blood of any urban area--can succeed.

But, like you say, we'll always have a fight about this issue.

^JaxByDefault, your solution is actually the most sound, simple, affordable, and effective one out there.  The city's worst enemy to a vibrant downtown has been itself.  It wasn't white flight or the suburbs.  Downtown has been choked by two many restrictive policies that have made it harder to incubate small business growth in favor of urban renewal related expensive gimmick projects over the years.  Attempting to lobby the value of downtown to people who never wanted to be there anyway (the majority of those who live in the suburbs) is a complete waste of time, imo.  There's nothing wrong with marketing but if you don't deal with the real issue first, it's not going to really accomplish anything truly effective and game changing.  The best thing the city could do is modify policy and simply get out the way.

How you (PROPERLY) drive redevelopment and investment is where the fight will be. THAT IS TRUE!

Who is next to kayak Hogans Creek and McCoys Creek within our Downtown Urban Waterway Dilemma Destinations?

At last nights Jacksonville city council meeting I mentioned this opportunity to council president Joost. Especially in light of Mayor Brown's new kayak innitiative. He said yes again. We were supposed to do it with Daniel O'Byrne the new guy with Visit Jacksonville but he is no longer there. I'm stoked to do this with Joost. I believe in my heart that it will happen and it will be a blast. I had the opportunity to meet him and his family by chance at a polar plunge at the beach one year. I've got a gut feeling that we will be laughing our butts off during the whole paddle. I was thinking of a stop at Roberts Eatery after our Downtown experience. (He'll be at Wells Fargo at 8th and Main tomorrow.) but somehow I'm thinking Firehouse Subs.

My understanding is The First Coast forum is supposed to have a rebroadcast Thur. night. The audio was off on the first attempt.

March 17 is the St. Johns River Celebration and Hogans Creek behind the Jacksonville Historical society is identified as an URBAN cleanup location.

And Lake you nail it again when you say "The best thing the city could do is modify policy and get out of the way."   

[exnewsman]

I have noticed all the new stores that have opened in the Landing. Your wing of the Landing is actually almost full. If only it were more visible from the street.

Maybe the new Landing stores should advertise on the new downtown bus shelters. Exposure to those who are already in the core but don't yet know of the new shopping opportunities.

[fsujax]

they should. I didn't think advertising was allowed on the downtown shelters?

[Noone]

Its on again right now

[kells904]

they should. I didn't think advertising was allowed on the downtown shelters?

Looks to me like one could advertise on the downtown shelters, if one were so inclined.  There's the little poster on them, but they have "ride JTA" ads in them.

On a similar note, I've seen a lot of bus shelters pop up on the Northside--silver and red, also with ad space.  I thought there was a problem with funding, or was that just smoke up the ol' hind parts?