An action plan for Downtown’s revival

[thelakelander]

Hopefully, these things will finally move forward...

Returning Downtown Jacksonville to the commercial and retail vibrancy the urban core was known for in the 1960s has been on the City’s “wish list” for years. In May 2000, the City Council approved a “Downtown Master Plan,” that reflected the vision of how residents wanted to see Downtown in the future. The document set out where Downtown needs to go, but what it lacked was how to get there.

In September 2006, a seven-month process to identify how the revival would progress began with the formation of four task forces, each charged with exploring a specific aspect of the overall development and redevelopment project.

Made up of a volunteer force of local industry and business professionals, the task forces worked with Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) staff and paid consultants to create an implementable plan to accomplish the goals of the Downtown Master Plan. Four key concepts were assigned: Retail; Pedestrian, Open Space & the River; Residential; and Infrastructure.

Each group focused on a particular discipline but as the process progressed, four key concepts common to all of the task forces’ findings emerged by the time the groups adjourned for the last time in March 2007.

Now, JEDC is ready to implement those action plans based on the four objectives, and the commission is already beginning with phase 2 of the Bay Street Town Center project.

The streetscape improvements along Main Street from State Street to the Main Street Bridge are nearing completion. Bay and Laura streets are next on the list, followed by converting several one-way streets Downtown to two-way use, improving the trolley system and installing signs to make it easier for visitors to find the places they are looking for.

“When it comes to Downtown, streetscape is infrastructure just like roads and utilities are in the suburbs,” said Barton.

Some elements are already underway, like the Main Street and Bay Street improvement projects. Other streetscape elements including converting one-way streets to two-way traffic are expected to be in place by the end of 2008.

The larger capital projects of the plan, like extending the Riverwalk from the Fuller Warren Bridge to Memorial Park in Riverside, aren’t expected to be complete until 2012. The Hogans Creek Greenway portion of the plan, including decontaminating the creek bed and restoring the tributary’s ecosystem, is expected to take at least six years to complete.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=49475

[suburbiasucks]

Yeah, right!
I remember looking at the master plans a few years back, and getting excited thinking how by the year 2007 this city will transform dramatically. I have to live THERE, I said! So, after inquiring about countless vacant properties around downtown and getting the answer: "we're holding on to the property for now because according to the master plan this area will become a hot X, Y or Z!" .... you can understand why I cringe when I hear that word! More like master bator plan!

[JeffreyS]

Master plans are great if they leave room for bottom up growth as well as top end.  You also have to utilize the plan.

Sorry for using the term bottom up and I take the blame for any jokes that follow.

[walter]

Action Plan = put up a couple of palms, freshen up some paint, tell taxpayers "progress costs money" and then commission a new Master Plan after about ten years.

Implementation = 'slow as MO-lassess' as to allow another administration to undertake a new "study"

and don't forget to give away a few million to well connected friends along the way and make sure the "contracts" are poorly drafted so that getting the money back will be almost impossible and your friends don't get prosecuted.

this city cracks me up.