To City Leaders: My Bay Street vision & how to fix Downtown.

[marksjax]

Now this is what it should look like Downtown:

http://biggestweekendever.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/scottish-soccer-ok-football-fans-staking-out-marks-downtown//

[urbanlibertarian]

You know, maybe we could start off with a smaller deviation from Jags gameday normal.  JSO already closes Market St. and Newnan St. between Bay and Forsyth for gameday traffic.  Maybe vendors and food trucks could set up in those areas (and other areas) and parking downtown and walking/biking to the stadium could be promoted as what the cool kids are doing these days.

[marksjax]

Urban that is a great idea! Create a little pocket of fun! And there is not any food available downtown except for the hotels & landing on Sunday am in that area. Food Trucks, yes! 'Tailgating' but without doing all the work and bringing the grill, etc.

The only thing might be that unless the traffic flow could allow people to stop & park nearby it might be hard to get to. JSO would have to alter their routine to specifically address pedestrian foot traffic which is about nil on most game days. Some parking zones would have to be created. Maybe the lot across from LIT and 1904 would work nicely?

Another idea: park those Food Trucks on the side streets on Friday & Saturday Nights as well. Create vibrancy and activity and above all, it gives people a reason to go Downtown.

Thank you.

[urbanlibertarian]

People who are already prepared to walk from your Bay St district to the stadium will probably be ok with parking at one of the many open and un-bagged meters on the streets in the area (Adams, Market, Monroe) but if you're going to promote this widely then a parking garage option might be good.

[fieldafm]

Another idea: park those Food Trucks on the side streets on Friday & Saturday Nights as well. Create vibrancy and activity and above all, it gives people a reason to go Downtown.

Mark, you should come to the food truck event at Burrito Gallery June 9th. 

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I think it would be beneficial to come up with a solid, detailed plan and present it to the new Jaguar management that is in charge of the gameday experience.  That's where I would start, and if it gains traction from the Jags, they have a better chance of pulling the strings with the city and JSO to make it happen.

We are in a new era of ownership and making the Gameday Experience memorable is one of their main focuses.  You have to give people something they can't get at home.  I think that a street festival type atmosphere would really help. 

[marksjax]

I will attend that for sure! Thanks

[Noone]

I think it would be beneficial to come up with a solid, detailed plan and present it to the new Jaguar management that is in charge of the gameday experience.  That's where I would start, and if it gains traction from the Jags, they have a better chance of pulling the strings with the city and JSO to make it happen.

We are in a new era of ownership and making the Gameday Experience memorable is one of their main focuses.  You have to give people something they can't get at home.  I think that a street festival type atmosphere would really help. 

+1

Gameday Experience
Downtown Experience

An activity that should be allowed to occur whether there is a special event going on or not.

Mark, I'm just throwing it out there but moving forward I would love to take some people kayaking and put in at the recently fixed and new kayak launch at Sidney Gefen Park on the Northbank and take it to Berkman Plaza-Plaza at Berkman and exit at the marina. Anyone who participates I will treat to the first round at Mark's. I know this will guaranty at least half of the Jacksonville city council will participate. (Maybe more)

There is a window of opportunity that is closing legislatively. This will be part of my presentation in 2 days at the next UC CPAC meeting. I hope the representative from Berkman is there.

Anyone who wants to give this a trial run just let me know.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[marksjax]

Now that we have a proven success at the BG with the food trucks will anyone put forth legislation to remove all the roadblocks to getting these trucks and their owners to set up downtown?

This is a no brainer, correct?