Melissa Ross: Food trucks would add to city's vibrancy

[Tacachale]

I'm fairly skeptical of the food truck craze in terms of long term economic development. However, I strongly support trying new ideas that will attract people and increase vibrancy downtown. It's at least worth trying out, as cities from Tallahassee to Portland are doing.

[thelakelander]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

[fieldafm]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.

Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al. 

Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth?  Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business?  Small business are the job creators in this country. 

The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service.   They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me. 

[thelakelander]

Definitely agree.  Especially in terms of stimulating foot traffic.  For example, look at the continued discussion on how to attract more people to Hemming Plaza.  Simply line that space up with food trucks and you've got an activity that would do just that.

[Intuition Ale Works]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.

Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al. 

Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth?  Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business?  Small business are the job creators in this country. 

The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service.   They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.

COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.

Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.

[thelakelander]

^You just nailed why downtown doesn't work.  The city simply needs to get out of the way and let our creative and innovative residents do what they do best.

[fieldafm]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.

Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al. 

Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth?  Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business?  Small business are the job creators in this country. 

The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service.   They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.

COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.

Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.

You'll get no argument out of me.

BTW, you going to be around tonight?  I'll be in later around 730ish.

[Intuition Ale Works]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.

Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al. 

Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth?  Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business?  Small business are the job creators in this country. 

The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service.   They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.

COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.

Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.

You'll get no argument out of me.

BTW, you going to be around tonight?  I'll be in later around 730ish.

I will be there around 8pm drinking with some of the Cigar City crew.

[Tacachale]

The COJ is very business friendly; some argue too much so. The focus may be too much on large businesses; COJ is perhaps not as friendly to small businesses as it could be, and there is a definite rigidity when it comes to trying new things. IMO this is the larger obstacle to downtown development than the city not being friendly enough to business.

[fieldafm]

It's economic development in terms of stimulating small business growth opportunities.  However, food trucks aren't going to save downtown or any other neighborhood and shouldn't be viewed in that light. 

The best thing for downtown is for the city to modify its restrictive policies that prohibit market rate growth down here, and get out of the way.

Take a look at RAM... businesses start there, see if their idea makes sense... and potentially graduate to something else.

Case in point: Mac-Tech PC Pro, Peles, French Fry Heaven, River City Gourmet, et al. 

Why on earth would a city that touts itself as 'business friendly' want to stymie ways to stimulate innovation in small business growth?  Why would you want to limit inexpensive ways to create a small business?  Small business are the job creators in this country. 

The average food truck will probably turn somewhere around 100-120 items for a standard service.   They don't threaten existing businesses en masse, and furthermore stimulate pedestrian movement in a city that DESPERATELY needs it.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

City of Jax is not business friendly. Last night's LUZ meeting was a perfect example and their treatment of foodtrucks are another example.

COJ's attitude is if a business does not fit into their little "boxes" then shut it down and make the business conform or hire a lawyer to pay to change the code/law.

Most small businesses in Jax thrive in spite of the city.

You'll get no argument out of me.

BTW, you going to be around tonight?  I'll be in later around 730ish.

I will be there around 8pm drinking with some of the Cigar City crew.

Oh hell f'ing yeah.. going to have any special Maduro on tap??