What Would You Like Downtown Jacksonville to Become?

[mezofoprezo]

5) A real lack of police presence. Other than some guys on duty to monitor traffic, I saw more of the "downtown ambassadors". Say what you want about the efficiency of mounted police or bike cops or even a uniform just walking a beat, you need that physical presence to deter crime and let people feel safe.  Most of the time I see the police driving through downtown like they want to get out of there.  I realize Jax is a huge place and there are alot of areas to cover, but you're never going to get downtown up & running without them.

You've implied that you feel like downtown is unsafe ("Too many dark alleys", et al) but I have never felt unsafe, certainly not at a major event like Artwalk. Perhaps it is my, ahem, subversive nature but I feel less safe with a ton of cops around... though I admit that that is just opinion and not fact. I was commenting last night (perhaps jinxing myself) while walking 8 blocks with my sister back to our car that I actually had no reservations at all about walking downtown after dark. I always have a pocketknife on me, I am a young female after all, but my finely-tuned gut just doesn't get jeeved out.

Ha in fact, I can vividly recall one night that I was walking from place to place in The Elbow (a year or two before it was formed) and I was, since I was walking alone, holding my closed knife in hand in case I encountered trouble. A man came running up to me and I tightened my grip, almost brandishing out of fear, when the man reached me and handed me a concert flyer. He shouted 'have a good night!" and ran past me.

Perhaps I am just lucky. I'd love to see some statistics about crime downtown and see what the crime rates are downtown during Artwalk, but honestly I feel safe. I can think of a solid fistful of other places in Jacksonville that I would not say that about.

[I-10east]

^^I agree that current downtown doesn't feel 'unsafe' to me. Besides the lil' annoyance of an occasional persistent beggar in the Laura corridor, I haven't had any issues, certainly nothing worthy of feeling unsafe. The last time I felt 'unsafe' DT was in the late eighties when I was a kid, and three goons jumped me after I came out of the old Haydon Burns Library; Those a-holes are probably in jail right now, I hope that path they chose was worth it LOL. IMO it's 'cool' on this site to say that things are worst than they actually are in this city, which is why none of the long-timers never say anything when something like that is said. Just my two.   

[JayePorter]

I didn't mean for my post to sound as though I felt threatened downtown during Artwalk. Quite the opposite.

I made my comments thinking of how I would feel if I were working and had to walk back to my car after dark, alone, not in a place where other people are out & about.  My perception of safety in situation like that is tainted by my past experiences but what I'm talking about here is just perceptions after all - not facts.  If we are talking about what would make downtown better, and would get some schmoe like me down there to spend my time & money, or for a new business to open up, or for whatever other good thing to happen there then I don't think statistics about safety actually matter. Perceptions matter.  People on this forum are already on board for downtown Jax to be reimagined but what about the rest of the population? You can't make the city a vibrant place to be without shifting their perceptions as well.

Just trying to be the voice of the peanut gallery I guess. :-)

[icarus]

Your comments were more than reasonable.  The City really doesn't have effective signage. The streets are dark but this is more than likely because of the vacant buildings and storefronts rather than ineffective lighting.

Almost every one of your concerns or points is addressed by one thing ... more people downtown.  I think with enough people focused on that a lot of your points become moot with an influx of people and businesses.

[JayBird]

Right on the money Jayeporter and I think you also hit a good point about the police presence: people who regularly visit DT typically feel safe, those who've never been think they'll be mugged, shot and left for dead between Central Station and the Landing. So adding a few officers on foot, bike, horse, motorcycle, meter maid vehicle whatever would have a greater impact on the "perception" than actual crime rates. Personally, I think the perception is the greater of the two to change.

[I-10east]

I didn't mean for my post to sound as though I felt threatened downtown during Artwalk. Quite the opposite.

I made my comments thinking of how I would feel if I were working and had to walk back to my car after dark, alone, not in a place where other people are out & about.  My perception of safety in situation like that is tainted by my past experiences but what I'm talking about here is just perceptions after all - not facts.  If we are talking about what would make downtown better, and would get some schmoe like me down there to spend my time & money, or for a new business to open up, or for whatever other good thing to happen there then I don't think statistics about safety actually matter. Perceptions matter.  People on this forum are already on board for downtown Jax to be reimagined but what about the rest of the population? You can't make the city a vibrant place to be without shifting their perceptions as well.

Just trying to be the voice of the peanut gallery I guess. :-)

Fair enough Jaye. My bad, I jumped the gun on that one.

[ProjectMaximus]

Right on the money Jayeporter and I think you also hit a good point about the police presence: people who regularly visit DT typically feel safe, those who've never been think they'll be mugged, shot and left for dead between Central Station and the Landing. So adding a few officers on foot, bike, horse, motorcycle, meter maid vehicle whatever would have a greater impact on the "perception" than actual crime rates. Personally, I think the perception is the greater of the two to change.

Yes. No doubt it's mainly a perception issue, and no doubt perception is a big issue.

After art walk I walked about 10 blocks back to my car (at FSCJ) alone around 11pm...I think if I weren't familiar with the area it might have seemed quite unsafe. Obviously if most of that walk had offered the same atmosphere as forsyth and bay it wouldn't feel unsafe at all.

[IrvAdams]

I think downtown, safety-perception-wise, is indeed a mixed bag. My wife and I go down there for occasional events, and I go for monthly meetings in the early evening. I would say the first few blocks nearest the river and the area east and west of Main St. for a couple of blocks seem the 'safest'. The further east or west, or north away from the river, and the rougher it seems. Again, perception rather than statistics, I think.

I agree street lighting would be huge, it did indeed seem dark once you got about a half-block from a storefront. Also, as  has been pointed out, retail or restaurant or entertainment locations would also bring life to vacant structures and make your nightly stroll seem safer.

It seems lately that many great projects are underway to improve DT and add business and entertainment venues, etc. It seems very positive. We were at Art Walk the other night also, and it was a vibrant and busy gathering. All the parking lots were full, we were impressed. Hundreds of young people in the 'Elbow' area, many popular nightclubs there. Good location for entertainment.

[Noone]

The point of no return happens today and will show not only the commissioners of FIND but the world that we are not totally LOST.

Here is part of my list that should be part of the permanent record that was submitted at the 10/23/13 Committee workshop on a Finalized list of short term investment projects.

1. RAM dock needs to be opened when RAM is not open. 24/7 Public Access.

2. USS Adams is positive and needs to move forward.

3. 24/7 Public Access to the floating dock that is currently at Shipyards and legislatively guaranteed.

4. Public Access and economic opportunity 24/7 for a floating dock, kayak launch at Catherine St. at Berkman next to Shipyards.

5. Kayak launch 24/7 Public Access next to Duval county school board and JEA property. Also include a bike rack.

6. 24/7 Public Access to the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier. 2010-604

7. 24/7 Public Access at Sydney Geffen Park with a bike rack and a Mayor Brown kayak launch logo

8. Kayak launch and logo at Palmer Terrace Park in Dist. 4

9. 2013-384 an amendment for 24/7 Public Access and economic opportunity to Hogans Creek. DIA resolution of support because it is an active piece of legislation.

10. 24/7 Public Access and economic opportunity for the current floating dock that is under consideration on the Southbank Riverwalk.

Any of these actions will tell the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE and our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Number 7. At the 8/13/14 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting a FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District ) project that has been in the works For awhile (DOWNTOWN) Sydney Geffen Kayak launch it was announced that it is OUT. $100,000 short and this was shared by Brian Burkett in a casual Oh, by the way. There wasn't a FIND update on the table. The conversation started when JWC member John Godfrey asked about the next FIND grant process and being pro active with it. Good for him. This wasn't on the agenda. Now we all know. I welcome any correction to this interpretation.


So let's see Downtown on our new yet to be voted on 4.8 mile Waterfront zone from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge 2014-560 CRA/DIA

2014-190 A completed Southbank Riverwalk, new floating docks?
2014-305 New docking RULES and PENALTIES, an amendment for opportunity for everyone?
2014-306 Procurement Code?
2014-412 Water Taxis

In the meantime ride the RIO St. Johns as you are transported from one illegal side of the River to the other illegal side of the River.

Visit Jacksonville!

[Noone]

Rules committee just 7 hours out. Anyone going?
Gulliford is the Chair
Jones is the Vice Chair
Gaffney
Joost
Lumb
Redman
Schellenberg
2014-412
2014-306

[Noone]

2014-412 the backroom water taxis Procurement loophole was withdrawn by the Executive Branch at the 8:30 Rules agenda meeting. Commenting we're Councilmembers Schellenberg and Gulliford. Could the Legislative Branch bring this back with a 2/3 vote? just asking.

2014-306 new Procurement legislation was deferred

[jaxjaguar]

I may attend assuming it's later tonight. Where exactly is it and what will be discussed? Will my attendance actually affect anything or will I just be a warm body listening to people rant on things that have already been decided upon?

[Noone]

The point of no return happens today and will show not only the commissioners of FIND but the world that we are not totally LOST.

Here is part of my list that should be part of the permanent record that was submitted at the 10/23/13 Committee workshop on a Finalized list of short term investment projects.

1. RAM dock needs to be opened when RAM is not open. 24/7 Public Access.

2. USS Adams is positive and needs to move forward.

3. 24/7 Public Access to the floating dock that is currently at Shipyards and legislatively guaranteed.

4. Public Access and economic opportunity 24/7 for a floating dock, kayak launch at Catherine St. at Berkman next to Shipyards.

5. Kayak launch 24/7 Public Access next to Duval county school board and JEA property. Also include a bike rack.

6. 24/7 Public Access to the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier. 2010-604

7. 24/7 Public Access at Sydney Geffen Park with a bike rack and a Mayor Brown kayak launch logo

8. Kayak launch and logo at Palmer Terrace Park in Dist. 4

9. 2013-384 an amendment for 24/7 Public Access and economic opportunity to Hogans Creek. DIA resolution of support because it is an active piece of legislation.

10. 24/7 Public Access and economic opportunity for the current floating dock that is under consideration on the Southbank Riverwalk.

Any of these actions will tell the world to VISIT JACKSONVILLE and our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Number 7. At the 8/13/14 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting a FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District ) project that has been in the works For awhile (DOWNTOWN) Sydney Geffen Kayak launch it was announced that it is OUT. $100,000 short and this was shared by Brian Burkett in a casual Oh, by the way. There wasn't a FIND update on the table. The conversation started when JWC member John Godfrey asked about the next FIND grant process and being pro active with it. Good for him. This wasn't on the agenda. Now we all know. I welcome any correction to this interpretation.


So let's see Downtown on our new yet to be voted on 4.8 mile Waterfront zone from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge 2014-560 CRA/DIA

2014-190 A completed Southbank Riverwalk, new floating docks?
2014-305 New docking RULES and PENALTIES, an amendment for opportunity for everyone?
2014-306 Procurement Code?
2014-412 Water Taxis

In the meantime ride the RIO St. Johns as you are transported from one illegal side of the River to the other illegal side of the River.

Visit Jacksonville!

Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting at 9 am in council chambers. Introduced last night at the 1/13/15 Jacksonville city council meeting was 2015-38 and a Resolution for support of the 2015 Administration FIND projects.

A FIND update was a last minute addition to the agenda. There were only 2 meetings that I'm aware of for this years weak opportunity to participate. Both meetings had to do with the Administrations list. The 10/30/15 meeting and the 1/9/15 meeting. What would Lenny Curry say about this?

On the 1/14/15  Jacksonville Waterways Commission agenda is the NEW guy from Detroit that will be telling us all about the opportunities in our NEW 4.8 miles Rivers edge zone that was announced by a CRA consultant and the boundary is from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge. Was Paul Crawford ever the interim Parks Director? Does anyone remember John Culbreath?

Visit Jacksonville!

[downtownbrown]

all interesting ideas from the boating/kayaking perspective.  But the question was about Downtown in general.  How about starting small?  I'd like Downtown to become a place where, when a hole is created on a road like South Liberty Street, the city actually fixes it instead of closing the street for what is about to be THREE YEARS!!!!  How many Downtown Activists are interested in a Three Year Liberty Street Hole Anniversary Party in April?

City Council has been deferring specific legislation to fix the hole since last August.  The General Counsel dithered on any action for a year an a half before that.

It's a disgrace.

[urbanlibertarian]

^I'm not an activist but I'm always up for a party.