Rummell: One Spark is not a 'turning point' for Downtown Jacksonville

[Cheshire Cat]

I'm all about the positive One Spark vibes and constructive suggestions, but there's no need for this to digress into a political discussion about Mayor Brown. Carry on...

I would agree CL.  Peter Rummell's commentary did nothing to give added luster and spark to this wonderful event. Perhaps Peter wanted to further his own agenda for downtown but "One Spark" was not about becoming the catalyst for downtown development. Part of his efforts in downtown per that agenda was funding Mayor Alvin Brown in order to get the DIA up and running. So Alvin is part of Peters vision and that vision has nothing to do with One Spark which was about crowd funding to support entrepreneurs in the areas of art, innovation, music, science and technology and the festival both met and exceeded all expectations. Rummell now tying the event to downtown development two days after it's great success is self serving and political. imo  What I am trying to bring to light is the fact that the changes we need and want in Jacksonville should never be tied to a public event but rather to who we put in public office and how our desires are or are not met at that level.  It all stems from that. 

[thelakelander]

I remember when Epic (Wayne Wood was involved) morphed into One Spark. I actually sat in one of the early discussions about the crowdsource funding as an alternative to what was more like Grand Rapids' ArtPrize in the beginning. I'm getting older now so my mind may be a bit fuzzy but from what I recall, Rummell was a major reason One Spark was able to get off the ground.

[fieldafm]

guys like Rummell who buy mayors like Alvin Brown who has done nothing of import for our city save hire a full time photographer and give out awards.

+10000000

Without Pete Rummell, One Spark would have never have happened.

You are a fool for thinking otherwise.

The fact that there is some sort of negative connotation after such an amazing week is at best, shameful.

[Glenn OSteen]

Without Peter Rummell's support and Money, OneSpark would not have happened, period.  He put up $300,000 of his own money to fund the initial OneSpark; that is undeniable.  To try and paint his initiative as self serving is totally disingenuous, if not just plain snarky.

As to his and the Civic council's support of Alvin Brown in the last mayoral election, remember Brown was running against another First Baptist politician that had NO vision of the future of Jacksonville and was totally unqualified for the office.  Brown has been a major disappointment to many of us that voted for him and we will not make the same mistake twice.

I disagree with Rummell as to the impact of OneSpark on downtown Jacksonville.  OneSpark emphatically demonstrated that if you give the people some compelling reason to come downtown, they will respond.  If enough people visit downtown often enough, businesses will make money...............and more businesses will open to serve and more people will consider downtown as a suitable place to live.  There was a time, when Jake Godbold and Mike Tolbert were spearheading events downtown, that there was a "buzz" about good things happening downtown.  Building government offices and non-profits around the centerpiece of downtown, Hemming Park, has not helped.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to be in the central district after dark, save for once a month for Art Walk.

I personally want to thank Peter Rummell for what he has caused to happen.  He is truly a visionary and we are luck y to have him in our community.

[edjax]

^^so I guess you mean fools, not fool since he was just agreeing with Cat.

[Cheshire Cat]

I think the mind of Elton was the reason "One Spark" got off the ground. Peter is one person of many who supported this event financially and it's beginnings, that may be true, but it does not mean he should use it to promote his political agenda for downtown.  Don't think it's about politics?  It is.  His immediate words were about incentives etc for downtown which tie to his hopes for the DIA. etc. etc. etc.   All of that turns on politics.  Just pointing out the facts.  I am really over seeing the "Old Guard" or their money as the saviors of this city and the ones driving the positive changes here.  They are not.  It is the collective effort of the many that will make or break this city.  What bothers me is when we allow money folks to play toe great of an interest in our futures with their agendas, many of which are geared around the use of tax dollars.  I am not dismissing what they give or do but it does not outshine the hard work of something like One Spark.  It's a cog in the wheel and so is Peter Rummell.  He is not however the cog on which downtown will turn.

Mike, I would agree negative connotations is a lousy way to respond to the wonder of One Spark and to my view that is precisely what Rummell has done. 

This following to my view is the organic growth that a festival like "One Spark" creates and it is where the true shift comes.  It's not always the big things or the big money.  Now Wayne Wood is a font of creative ideas and who makes them happen.  No argument on that.  But to my eye the grass roots of folks like SOS will do more to help in their own way with a heck of a lot less applause and money. 

[thelakelander]

I think the mind of Elton was the reason "One Spark" got off the ground.

Elton is a great guy but personally remembering the start of things a few years back, I'm pretty sure it was a group effort of several creative and innovative individuals who's common goal was to see Jax succeed and become a better place.  With that said, I can wait for the next One Spark and in general, I look forward to seeing what residents in our community can achieve when simply given a chance to utilize their skills, smarts, passion and drive.

[Cheshire Cat]

I think the mind of Elton was the reason "One Spark" got off the ground.

Elton is a great guy but personally remembering the start of things a few years back, I'm pretty sure it was a group effort of several creative and innovative individuals who's common goal was to see Jax succeed and become a better place.  With that said, I can wait for the next One Spark and in general, I look forward to seeing what residents in our community can achieve when simply given a chance to utilize their skills, smarts, passion and drive.

It was a group effort to my view Ennis.  It was also a creative endeavor that met and exceeded it's goals.  I think it is unfortunate that Rummell would then envoke One Spark as an example of something that has little lasting power with regard to downtown development when that is not what the event was about. 

[JeffreyS]

When I travel the festival that Jacksonville is known for is The Florida Georgia game (the worlds largest outdoor cocktail party". I was in Chicago this week and it came up.  I think one spark could be like this to a degree unique and successful it may be another "known" entity about Jax outside of Jax. We will see either way. I just hope next year I will finally be in town for it.

[Cheshire Cat]

Without Peter Rummell's support and Money, OneSpark would not have happened, period.  He put up $300,000 of his own money to fund the initial OneSpark; that is undeniable.  To try and paint his initiative as self serving is totally disingenuous, if not just plain snarky.

As to his and the Civic council's support of Alvin Brown in the last mayoral election, remember Brown was running against another First Baptist politician that had NO vision of the future of Jacksonville and was totally unqualified for the office.  Brown has been a major disappointment to many of us that voted for him and we will not make the same mistake twice.

I disagree with Rummell as to the impact of OneSpark on downtown Jacksonville.  OneSpark emphatically demonstrated that if you give the people some compelling reason to come downtown, they will respond.  If enough people visit downtown often enough, businesses will make money...............and more businesses will open to serve and more people will consider downtown as a suitable place to live.  There was a time, when Jake Godbold and Mike Tolbert were spearheading events downtown, that there was a "buzz" about good things happening downtown.  Building government offices and non-profits around the centerpiece of downtown, Hemming Park, has not helped.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to be in the central district after dark, save for once a month for Art Walk.

I personally want to thank Peter Rummell for what he has caused to happen.  He is truly a visionary and we are luck y to have him in our community.

Glenn, I agree with the later part of your statement.  Challenging Rummell's views however and questioning his motivation is not "snark".  It is the reality of what he chose to do after the One Spark event, which was make it fodder for his personal downtown agenda.  Now if you are going to talk politics, you need to know your facts.  There was more than one good candidate in that race.  Rummell chose to back one and he backed the one he could most easily influence and win over to his personal agenda.  That's the way politics are played.  For him it was not about the best candidate, it was about influence plain and simple.

[Cheshire Cat]

^^so I guess you mean fools, not fool since he was just agreeing with Cat.

And again for clarification as I stated earlier.  My remark was about Rummell's financial expenditure used get Alvin Brown into office. He got what he wanted but perhaps not what was best for all of Jacksonville. It was not about his funding of One Spark.  Let's be clear on that. 

[NoahDavis]

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[simms3]

It sounds like what it boils down to is Rummell is looking for a vehicle to bring forth downtown revitalization, and perhaps in the long term look for some sort of profit.  I can relate.

However, Rummell sees the bigger picture, as well, but doesn't understand, live, or breathe it.  The bigger picture is that an event like OneSpark, regardless of where it's held (though let's be honest, downtown is the *only* place to logically hold such an event), is an event that can transform Jacksonville fundamentally.  It can change the city's vibe, mentality, and creative forces.  It can harness individual people's potential, which is an ingredient that has been utterly missing from the city for so long (why do you think people who can feasibly "escape" do?).

Let's not forget that Rummell once helmed Disney Imagineering.  Now he likely had an operational/financial management role (we know his title, but "role/purpose" can vary), but he was exposed to a highly creative, collaborative, and innovative environment.

I think Rummell's downtown goals are easily tied with the bigger picture of harnessing the local critical mass of potential and moving forward, rather than backward.  Jacksonville doesn't have a big research university or centuries of homegrown institutions that it can rely on, so One Spark is serving a vital role as a driver for innovation, technology, ideas, and new business models that can be "homegrown".

[Cheshire Cat]

It sounds like what it boils down to is Rummell is looking for a vehicle to bring forth downtown revitalization, and perhaps in the long term look for some sort of profit.  I can relate.

However, Rummell sees the bigger picture, as well, but doesn't understand, live, or breathe it.  The bigger picture is that an event like OneSpark, regardless of where it's held (though let's be honest, downtown is the *only* place to logically hold such an event), is an event that can transform Jacksonville fundamentally.  It can change the city's vibe, mentality, and creative forces.  It can harness individual people's potential, which is an ingredient that has been utterly missing from the city for so long (why do you think people who can feasibly "escape" do?).

Let's not forget that Rummell once helmed Disney Imagineering.  Now he likely had an operational/financial management role (we know his title, but "role/purpose" can vary), but he was exposed to a highly creative, collaborative, and innovative environment.

I think Rummell's downtown goals are easily tied with the bigger picture of harnessing the local critical mass of potential and moving forward, rather than backward.  Jacksonville doesn't have a big research university or centuries of homegrown institutions that it can rely on, so One Spark is serving a vital role as a driver for innovation, technology, ideas, and new business models that can be "homegrown".

I would generally agree.  As far as I can see, Rummell hasn't said anything that has not been discussed and rehashed over and over with regard to downtown revitalization.  Even the DIA which was infact spawned of Rummell's influence has come up with nothing new.  Their recent proposals read like a summary of research and ideas generated via Metrojacksonville.  Perhaps Rummell should have given his 400K to this group.  lol  Personally, I am having a hard time understanding why folks are so resistant to understanding how development interests work politically and how that impacts our tax dollars, which is what Rummell is on about if you really listen to what he is saying.  I would agree that he sees the One Spark event as a way to showcase downtown which it did.  My sole problem with that is his decision to point to one Spark as if it were geared to change downtown development.  It wasn't. 

[simms3]

^^^Well, Rummell is at least putting his money where his mouth is.  We can't overlook the fact that Rummell is the driving force behind One Spark's creation, organization, and funding.  He may not be the hipster 25 year old who serves as the point guard for rallying the troops, but he got that 25 year old hipster's attention in the first place and pitched in the money needed to organize the event.

Has anyone seen the movie Jobs?  Horrible horrible movie.  But it showcases the relationship between $$$ and idea.  You need both.  Rummell is more on the $$$ side, and that's ok.  Perhaps he has an end goal, but I think even he realizes that he'll be old and senile before downtown is a ripe playground for what he would probably like to do real estate wise there.  But his heart and intentions are good.  Maybe not in his time, but he can be a force of change that gets us there with stuff like One Spark.

Any idea/concept that sticks from One Spark could spur a start up.  That start up will need seed money (likely to come a little bit from guys like Rummell...he's probably so envious of the VC environments of the Bay Area and Boston where guys like him go from millionaires to billionaires by funding "the next big ideas").  That start up will also need office space.  They'd probably prefer cool brick and timber space that can be leased/renovated in buildings downtown.

So One Spark could also fuel revitalization that way.  I think it all kind of ties together.