FTU's Ron Littlepage: City image hurt by low taxes, Hemming Plaza

[thelakelander]

What do you think?

Let me add another idea to the discussion.

Quit considering the plaza a park, and instead think of it as a town square that connects the buildings around it.

Those buildings are critical planks in downtown’s revitalization â€" City Hall, the Main Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the federal courthouse.

Use the town square for public events, for art shows, for lunch time entertainment, for other programs, not as a park where people stay all day.

That said, many of those occupying the plaza aren’t causing problems, especially the homeless, and everyone needs a place to be.

If gaming is ended in the plaza, then establish another place for it.

Under consideration is a day center for the homeless with restrooms, a laundry and counseling services.

Why not build a covered pavilion by the day center and make it a gaming park?

full editorial: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400601/ron-littlepage/2012-10-28/city-image-hurt-low-taxes-hemming-plaza

[Tacachale]

I think everyone's just picking at the edges of the same things now. We need more programming and amenities in the park, or plaza, or square, or whatever you arbitrarily want to call it. The homeless have taken it over because other people aren't there in large numbers and they don't have another place to go now. Etc, etc.

[jcjohnpaint]

..and during such organized events, the park is completely transformed to what it could be.  This would rule out the myth that the park is cursed.. or needs a little more Jesus.  The park needs people as does the rest of downtown. 

[edjax]

Agree tha our city is being hurt by our continual lowering of taxes. While I am not one to clamor for more taxes you reach a point where you have to at least maintain. Personally my tax assessment for the upcoming year will be less than when I had my house built and moved into in 2000. Even with the recent declines in the real estate my home is still worth more than what it was purchased for in 2000. Not by as much as I would like but still more with lower taxes. Hence the city falls into disrepair. This while not the sole reason certainly is part of the reason.

[Adam W]

What do you think?

Let me add another idea to the discussion.

Quit considering the plaza a park, and instead think of it as a town square that connects the buildings around it.

Those buildings are critical planks in downtown’s revitalization â€" City Hall, the Main Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the federal courthouse.

Use the town square for public events, for art shows, for lunch time entertainment, for other programs, not as a park where people stay all day.

That said, many of those occupying the plaza aren’t causing problems, especially the homeless, and everyone needs a place to be.

If gaming is ended in the plaza, then establish another place for it.

Under consideration is a day center for the homeless with restrooms, a laundry and counseling services.

Why not build a covered pavilion by the day center and make it a gaming park?

full editorial: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400601/ron-littlepage/2012-10-28/city-image-hurt-low-taxes-hemming-plaza

I went on vacation to Amsterdam the other day. I walked through Vondelpark, which is a big park near the center of the city. It's obviously much larger (and greener) than Hemming Plaza, but I was struck by the number of people who were out "using" the park. Meeting up and chatting, reading, relaxing, running. There was a guy playing accordion. It seemed to be a destination for daily life and general activity.

Jax really doesn't have anything like this. I think Hemming Plaza could or should offer something like this on a micro level for the people in the center of the city. Why should people be able to meet up and play cards or backgammon? Or maybe even take a nap or get some sun? It certainly shouldn't be a crime.

I'd rather the park be used than be a wasteland. We should be looking at ways to make the park work, not ways to make the park pointless.