A Downtown Capital Infusion?

[ronchamblin]

Just as we can, by our wisdom, make changes in policies and infrastructure to provide "lubrication"; thus progress, on the path to revitalization, we can, by our complacency, error, or stupidities, make changes in policies and infrastructure to provide obstacles.

My earlier post, which evolved to a rant, as I seem to have become angry for some reason, was intended to identify possible "lubricants", as it is my belief that identifying and initiating the lubricants on a somewhat difficult problem is absolutely necessary if progress is to be made. 

In other words, if the existing powers cannot agree on exactly how to proceed on a somewhat difficult and complex problem or objective, they should at least set in place any "lubricants" so that when and if solid pressure is by accident applied by entities engaging the core, then movement or real progress will be more likely achieved.

If some of you suggest that the problem of revitalization we engage here in Jax is not a difficult or complex one, then please note that there has been very little substantive progress over the past decades.  If a large a difficult obstacle cannot be moved by direct attack, using specific levers to it, then lubricate the path so that it will slide along when somebody accidentally applies a sensible and somewhat effective pressure to it.

What are some of these lubricants or facilitators?

[ronchamblin]

One "lubricant", as I mentioned earlier is that of achieving, by whatever means, an increased population -- that is, foot traffic -- in the core.  The very presence of a higher foot traffic, in the form of residents, workers, and visitors, will be a form of "lubricant" on the road to revitalization, because it will allow more types of businesses to survive in the core -- and will provide an increasingly better environment for residential influx.  This idea involves a snowball affect .. a higher population will encourage and draw a higher population ... momentum.

Another "lubricant", actually the second point I was to make on the earlier post, was that of having an effective and efficient "mass transit" system.  One can observe our traffic congestion, parking problems, and transit times, and understand critical need for movement in the direction of some kind of effective mass transit; that is, with more frequency and coverage than is currently supplied by the bus system.  Having an efficient mass transit will certainly grease the path toward revitalization.  Its expensive, but many good and necessary things in life are. The point is that having an effective mass transit, will provide a 24-hour pressure, every day of the year, toward revitalization .. a type of lubricant.

Another lubricant is "incentives" to residents and small investors.  The incentives for residents is one method of encouraging population growth ... with the snowballing gains as mentioned earlier.

Ennis and others, being in the business of urban planning have a better term than "lubrication", as he has talked about making changes to infrastructure to encourage progress down the path to vibrancy.

The point is that there are significant steps, and those that are insignificant.  The items identified as "lubricants" are significant because they provide continual, year long, pressure toward the primary objective of revitalization.  Establishing the lubricants is similar to providing a "slope" to a board game, so that one always has the advantage.

[simms3]

P.S. Out of curiosity what part of the city are you in? I've lived in the Tenderloin, Sunset, and Marina. I miss the city desperately. I'm going back out in two months for my old roommates wedding. I'm not sure I'll get on the plane back. Also I love hearing you relay the stories of how everyone hates mass transit in SF. Which is true for those who live in the city proper. I always laughed when I'd hear them complain about it (they always compare the scale of SF systems to NYC, which I found to be pretty amusing). Sometimes I'd tell them to take a trip to Jacksonville and find out what bad mass transit really is... Anyway have a good one. Loving the convo.

Live between Polk and Van Ness in a neighborhood that some call Polk Gulch, some call Russian Hill, and some even call Pacific Heights.  I'm halfway between the 1 and the 41, right on the 12 (though I avoid that route).  Catty corner to the Jug Shop and a block from Nick's if you can recall the reference (don't know when you lived here...Nick's used to be Pacha SF).

[Ocklawaha]

2014-2019

Creative placemaking and public art

Hemming Plaza programming and Snyder Memorial Church reuse

Jacksonville Landing repositioning

Increased bicycle parking

Improved wayfarer signage

Retail enhancement grant program

Lighting improvements

Homeless assistance program


2020-2030

Friendship Park Redesign

Northbank East-West Circulator (a bus)

"Park Once Promotion"

Live-work spaces for artists

Housing incentives and finance (5,000 additional housing units by 2025)

Reinforce the branding of the Elbow

Water launch network


2021-2045

Redesign Metropolitan Park

Improve links to the Emerald Necklace (bike trails between DT and urban neighborhoods)

Improvements to Jesse Ball DuPont Park

Improvements to be sure, but I've never seen a more ambiguous, causeless or unmotivated list.

A BUS? Ignoring the building blocks of a great city is going to continue to cost us until the city recognizes that connectivity and mobility go hand in hand. A bus? REALLY? Talk about who rode the 'short bus' at school, or ask how does the domestic help get to and from work? What will be the value of TOD as major developers descend upon the city just so they can build next to this one-of-a-kind attraction? How many visitors stop in downtown just to experience the thrill of riding an authentic JTA bus?

Even if you are just going to settle for a small minded solution like 'a bus' one would think you would be working on a shuttle using curb level, low floor, multi door, all electric technology and that you would spell it out. God knows we can't even do buses right.

I'm afraid to ask what the 'park once promotion' is going to be, motorized rickshaw's would be a step above where we are today. Maybe we can gate downtown and issue pogo sticks?  I mean really, read the list, imagine this isn't Jacksonville and you just read this in a tourist brochure for 'Apathyville Bahama's,' bet you can't wait until you go.

I burned out rather quickly in this last round of pep talks and big ideas, I visited each table at the Prime Osborn and chatted them up about the streetcar idea. I know for a FACT that it was on the list, in some cases at the top of a large percentage. Yet when the final results were published, we got more JAX-DRIVIL like 'A BUS.' Damn these people! 

TIME TO PULL YOUR HEAD OUT JACKSONVILLE!!!

[Cheshire Cat]

2014-2019

Creative placemaking and public art

Hemming Plaza programming and Snyder Memorial Church reuse

Jacksonville Landing repositioning

Increased bicycle parking

Improved wayfarer signage

Retail enhancement grant program

Lighting improvements

Homeless assistance program


2020-2030

Friendship Park Redesign

Northbank East-West Circulator (a bus)

"Park Once Promotion"

Live-work spaces for artists

Housing incentives and finance (5,000 additional housing units by 2025)

Reinforce the branding of the Elbow

Water launch network


2021-2045

Redesign Metropolitan Park

Improve links to the Emerald Necklace (bike trails between DT and urban neighborhoods)

Improvements to Jesse Ball DuPont Park

Improvements to be sure, but I've never seen a more ambiguous, causeless or unmotivated list.

A BUS? Ignoring the building blocks of a great city is going to continue to cost us until the city recognizes that connectivity and mobility go hand in hand. A bus? REALLY? Talk about who rode the 'short bus' at school, or ask how does the domestic help get to and from work? What will be the value of TOD as major developers descend upon the city just so they can build next to this one-of-a-kind attraction? How many visitors stop in downtown just to experience the thrill of riding an authentic JTA bus?

Even if you are just going to settle for a small minded solution like 'a bus' one would think you would be working on a shuttle using curb level, low floor, multi door, all electric technology and that you would spell it out. God knows we can't even do buses right.

I'm afraid to ask what the 'park once promotion' is going to be, motorized rickshaw's would be a step above where we are today. Maybe we can gate downtown and issue pogo sticks?  I mean really, read the list, imagine this isn't Jacksonville and you just read this in a tourist brochure for 'Apathyville Bahama's,' bet you can't wait until you go.

I burned out rather quickly in this last round of pep talks and big ideas, I visited each table at the Prime Osborn and chatted them up about the streetcar idea. I know for a FACT that it was on the list, in some cases at the top of a large percentage. Yet when the final results were published, we got more JAX-DRIVIL like 'A BUS.' Damn these people! 

TIME TO PULL YOUR HEAD OUT JACKSONVILLE!!!

Hello!  I agree Ock, I so agree. I also understand the burn out which explains my absences from social media from time to time.  Always an uphill battle but so worth it when we think about what a treasure Jacksonville is and all the untapped potential.

[ronchamblin]

And I too agree Ock.

I had posted earlier about how an efficient and effective mass transit system would provide a constant enabling pressure to core development -- and would "lubricate" the path down the road to progress toward revitalizing the core.  I failed to say that I was referring to some kind of streetcar, rail, or light rail systems, and only implied it by indicating that it would be initially somewhat expensive. 

Imagine the solutions to the parking problem downtown -- including the possible elimination of most parking meters and tickets -- if we had in place a streetcar and/or light rail system that would spiderweb out into the suburbs.  Imagine the reduction in carbon emissions to the atmosphere as a consequence of fewer autos and buses clogging the streets.  Imagine the decrease in demand for the large and ugly parking garages in the core.  Imagine the savings in fuel costs to citizens, as they will not have to sit idling in traffic jams, and will not have to pay for fuel for the idling buses.  Imagine the improvements in walkability in the core as a consequence of having fewer autos and buses traveling the streets. Imagine the cleaner air for breathing in the core as a consequence of having fewer autos and buses on its streets.  Imagine the draw to the core, as a consequence of having exciting and attractive street cars / light rail instead of the boring buses.   

In any case, I'm wondering  -- If the streetcar or light rail, or something similar, is thought to be so good for the city, and probably is in fact good, perhaps because of some of the items listed above, what are the two primary causes of no action on these systems? 

[rutabaga]

And I too agree Ock.

I had posted earlier about how an efficient and effective mass transit system would provide a constant enabling pressure to core development -- and would "lubricate" the path down the road to progress toward revitalizing the core.  I failed to say that I was referring to some kind of streetcar, rail, or light rail systems, and only implied it by indicating that it would be initially somewhat expensive. 

Imagine the solutions to the parking problem downtown -- including the possible elimination of most parking meters and tickets -- if we had in place a streetcar and/or light rail system that would spiderweb out into the suburbs.  Imagine the reduction in carbon emissions to the atmosphere as a consequence of fewer autos and buses clogging the streets.  Imagine the decrease in demand for the large and ugly parking garages in the core.  Imagine the savings in fuel costs to citizens, as they will not have to sit idling in traffic jams, and will not have to pay for fuel for the idling buses.  Imagine the improvements in walkability in the core as a consequence of having fewer autos and buses traveling the streets. Imagine the cleaner air for breathing in the core as a consequence of having fewer autos and buses on its streets.  Imagine the draw to the core, as a consequence of having exciting and attractive street cars / light rail instead of the boring buses.   

In any case, I'm wondering  -- If the streetcar or light rail, or something similar, is thought to be so good for the city, and probably is in fact good, perhaps because of some of the items listed above, what are the two primary causes of no action on these systems? 

You might ask about who benefits financially with the status quo, because they might be lobbying against a new and efficient street car or rail system.  Who might benefit financially?  The auto fuel industry? The auto industry?   

[edjax]

Ed, there is a way to get occupancy and excitement in storefronts that is not about brick and mortar.  I plan to answer the question and go into more detail in a bit.  My commentary will be based in real experience with the revitalization of another downtown core down south, which I directed and which was successful.  I thought out of the box and it worked. 

Diane, any more about the detail you alluded to above?     Also to AuditoreEnterprise, based upon your comments in other threads you would appear to be one of those interested in patient capital investment alluded to in the story which started the thread. Perhaps a contact to Mr Halverson.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

I am not exactly sure to what you are saying precisely so I will take my best stab at it. Does downtown need a boom of investment money... yes, but the ultimate goal isn't what I call a superbowl makeover. It just won't sustain long term as the initial glamour of the situation passes (much like i state with sweet pete's) I am not very well versed in what is going on with the shipyards, however it may be good to put something there if it comes down to the berkman 2 like i think it does. Most people don't walk or travel that far down there.. you see a jail and a bunch of factories and turn around. I think maybe some sort of transit that goes down there like a street car will make it a little more connected. Now as for the patient infusion. I think ambitiousness should supersede all because after all no hype no progress. In the long run small sustaining investments will likely out last the billion dollar pipe dreams that some might see necessary.

People talk about going to the volstead, dos gatos, chamblins, artwalk, jazz fest, chomp chomp... 1904... ect. I have never had someone suggest a dinner at the river or university clubs or in the sky cafe in the BOA building.

I am not sure if that is what i was supposed to reply to please feel free to say if not..

[Cheshire Cat]

Nothing more at this point Ed.