Jeweler leaving Downtown after 82 years

[strider]

As far as my original post goes, I get panhandled at least twice a week walking to work.

I'm just throwing this out there...why couldn't we obtain an unused building downtown, retro it into studio apartments and then make it available to the homeless with the caveat that they be employed?

I know that crap happens to people and sometimes people just need some assistance getting back on their feet. If they can stay employed, let them live in the studio apartment for say a year.

There just seems to be alot of wasted space here that could be used in a more productive manner. Productive for downtown, productive for keeping someone off the street and productive for helping someone out.

Am I too far out there?

You may want to read this:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,21202.0.html  (Ability Housing in Springfield)

before you suggest housing the homeless in this area.

Of course, after the pending federal lawsuits are settled, Jacksonville may very well have to add homeless housing to it's budget in a fairly big way so your idea could indeed become reality.

Personally, I think the housing opportunities for the formerly homeless should be all over Jax, but Downtown and the Urban Core are currently ideal as they are perhaps the most walk-able areas and closest to the outside services many of those folks will need.

[heights unknown]

I've said this numerous times, I'm SO sick and tired of hearing people bitching and moaning about the homeless population downtown. I lived downtown for 2 years and never had a problem with it, and quite honestly compared to other cities, isn't that bad IMO. The problem is not the homeless, rather a lack of residents living in the area. Ever go to downtown during a big event when the streets are populated, businesses are busy? You don't even notice the homeless people.

Want to fix the solution? Go downtown, shop downtown, live downtown, otherwise please stop with the cliche "people are scared of downtown" argument.

Here, here; kudos for you; good for you; goody two shoes on you; feather in your cap. All this means that I agree with you.