Why Do We Always Hear of Hemming's Funding Issues?

[marty904]

http://jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=547444

There is a constant flow of articles that regularly come out, speaking of whether the city is going to give funding to FOH to keep the park going... I just simply can't grasp how this "question" always keeps looming.  Is this a city park?  Are we talking about the main park that is focused on for downtown events now?  Is this the "heart" of downtown Jax?  If this is the city's "gem" that so much focus is put on - to the point where the "Elbow"businesses are leaving due to all the efforts being concentrated around Hemming - why is it always a question of if the city is going to "give FOH" money to keep it running?

Regardless of whether Vince and his crew at FOH or if Jax Parks & Rec are managing the park... it is still a COJ park and needs to be funded.

I've never read so much about any other city "debating" on whether to keep funding one of its main city parks.  Can someone please help make some sense out of this for me?  I just don't get it.  If there was some "deal" with FOH that they have to find their own funding, then that is basically the COJ making a deal to not have to worry about it (which is sad).

[Tacachale]

I imagine the city's concerns aren't whether to fund the park, it's the amount of money and how it's managed. In this case, the city would pay $250k upfront for the stage, with the hope that FOHP would get a sponsorship. But even if the sponsorship comes through, the city could be on the hook for $100k if the sponsor pulls out later. This seems like a reasonable concern.

[Captain Zissou]

I do think Jax is one of the few large cities that would constantly second guess and undermine one of the best things to happen to its downtown in a decade.  Hemming is a small example of a systemic problem.  COJ and Jacksonville as a whole are too short sighted and stingy to support the best parts of the city.  The park system, Riverside/Avondale resurgence, the skyway, the riverwalk, etc... 

[Snufflee]

I would like to give FOH/COJ some more time to get it right as far as funding and management of the park goes. The Central Park Conservatory in NYC (also a PPV) didn't succeed and become the model over night. It takes time to remove the political BS from the process of managing a city park and restoring/making it a destination for people. Let's hope that COJ and the City Council allow FOH to grow and build a funding base to accomplish the stated goals.

[marty904]

I do think Jax is one of the few large cities that would constantly second guess and undermine one of the best things to happen to its downtown in a decade.  Hemming is a small example of a systemic problem.  COJ and Jacksonville as a whole are too short sighted and stingy to support the best parts of the city.  The park system, Riverside/Avondale resurgence, the skyway, the riverwalk, etc...

Aye Capn' - I think you pretty much nailed it there...

... the fact that many, including, apparently, members of the City Council, do not see it as a "gem", but as a de facto homeless shelter. And, on that basis, they don't want to give it a dime. 

...which I find absolutely amazing seeing how every previous and the current mayor's office window has such a vast view of that "de facto homeless shelter".  I mean, think about how it would be to be mayor and your office window view is a homeless park??  I just don't get Jax sometimes...