Mayor Alvin Brown:Now Is the Time to Invest in Downtown

[jaxjags]

Another item I would propose is something I have seen in Charlotte. There are large Interstate signs listing all DT attractions and the sector of town where they are located. There it is N,S,E,W Uptown. I believe the color codes then relate to exits and signs to get you to that location. In Jax this could be Northbank, Southbank, Sports Complex, Riverside. Somehow they could be tied to the new wayfarer sign system. Both helpful for people looking for a venue BUT it also advertises what is DT to people traveling thought the city. Today no one would know about Science Museum, Cummer Museum, etc. DOT would do this as part of the new signage with the overland bridge and interchange upgrade. No big deal.

[Gunnar]

Hearing a Jax mayor talk about "vision" or "a plan" makes me kinda nervous - isn't this what has messed up downtown in the first place ?

Not that I mind visions or plans (they can be good, after all), but if they tried to not mess things up for once that would be a nice start.

[IrvAdams]

Another item I would propose is something I have seen in Charlotte. There are large Interstate signs listing all DT attractions and the sector of town where they are located. There it is N,S,E,W Uptown. I believe the color codes then relate to exits and signs to get you to that location. In Jax this could be Northbank, Southbank, Sports Complex, Riverside. Somehow they could be tied to the new wayfarer sign system. Both helpful for people looking for a venue BUT it also advertises what is DT to people traveling thought the city. Today no one would know about Science Museum, Cummer Museum, etc. DOT would do this as part of the new signage with the overland bridge and interchange upgrade. No big deal.

Since these are Interstate signs, does the DOT pay for them? Can we get some informational and attraction-directing signage from the FDOT while they're building upgrades to the Overland Bridge?

[tufsu1]

I have heard that the Mayor's investment plans for downtown will be the subject of budget hearings again Friday morning....9am at City Hall...there may not be an opportunity for public comment, but even showing up sends a message.

[Charles Hunter]

The Chamber of Commerce is endorsing spending over $11 million dollars on the Jacksonville Landing.
http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-08-21/story/jax-chamber-urges-city-council-back-118-million-redevelop-jacksonville
Sleiman apparently now wants to tear the whole thing down, and build anew.

Council Finance Committee is still looking at how much debt the Mayor's budget proposes, with an eye toward trimming the amount. And is concerned about a lack of specifics in the plan for the Landing (from the linked article).

In regard to the Landing, Davis said the $11.8 million could go into a City Council contingency fund that would be a "lockbox" until there is a viable plan for private construction of new buildings on the site. The $11.8 million from the city would be for improvements to public spaces on the city-owned site.

"Before you get a key to the lockbox, you prove that the vertical development is legitimate and financed," Davis said. "That way you prove to the community that you're willing to do this, but you're going to force the private sector to show that it's able and capable to do it."