Surprise! COJ taking back control of Hemming Park

Bill Hoff · November 10, 2016, 09:29:33 PM

Welp.

http://jacksonville.com/news/2016-11-10/city-take-back-control-hemming-park

KenFSU · November 10, 2016, 11:29:04 PM

Worked out so well the first time.

First time = Last 50 years.

Tacachale · November 10, 2016, 11:53:28 PM

Probably for the best. FOHP botched this one.

Jax Friend · November 11, 2016, 06:17:38 AM

I'm torn on this topic. Taxpayers dollars should be spent efficiently, but under FOHP Hemming's improvement was somewhat drastic. My concern is that the Republican controlled city government would much rather see the park be a picturess sterile wasteland. Cranes and big buildings don't mean much when there is no life on the streets. Jacksonville looks beautiful to those whisking by on the freeway, but if those drivers decide to exit to experience the "city" they are disappointed. Cities should be gritty, dynamic and diverse. Those stuck in the Nocattee mindset are lost souls to the cause and work against a better functioning "city". This issue very much rides the same line of the election we just endured. Do we come together as community of diverse individuals or do we lock ourselves in our 3 bedroom 2 bath home and only go the clubhouse for entertainment?

KenFSU · November 11, 2016, 09:51:23 AM

Possible silver lining: Could this foreshadow a much-needed redesign of the space?

Charles Hunter · November 11, 2016, 10:13:31 AM

Razor wire fences to contain the homeless, liberals, and other undesirables, to the new Right Wing Order.

spuwho · November 11, 2016, 10:45:50 AM

Parks should be spun off as a seperate entity, no city, no need for FOHP, no starving of park budgets to support some mayors pet projects (or consultants).

vicupstate · November 11, 2016, 10:57:25 AM

Quote from: spuwho on November 11, 2016, 10:45:50 AM
Parks should be spun off as a seperate entity, no city, no need for FOHP, no starving of park budgets to support some mayors pet projects (or consultants).

Minneapolis did that. The result is what is considered the nation's best municipal park system. Recreation and Parks is governed by an independently elected board with it's own taxing authority. Every resident is no more than 6 blocks from a park. Having seen a half dozen or better of the parks there, I can attest that they are beautiful, functional, plentiful and extremely well maintained and heavily used. There is also a private foundation that supports the parks and it is very well funded as well. Corporations and private citizens don't seem to mind giving to Parks when there is direct accountability and great results.

KenFSU · November 11, 2016, 11:40:05 AM

Quote from: KenFSU on November 11, 2016, 09:51:23 AM
Possible silver lining: Could this foreshadow a much-needed redesign of the space?

Per the Daily Record, redesign options varying in scope are being considered, and Curry believes he may be able to provide capital improvement dollars to the park in the next 4 to 6 months. Wants to keep it programmed.

Westside Guy · November 11, 2016, 02:39:35 PM

Saw this coming a long time ago, but if the Curry administration has a plan to do something with the park and the funds to do it, perhaps it is for the best.

Bativac · November 12, 2016, 04:26:40 PM

Quote from: Jax Friend on November 11, 2016, 06:17:38 AM
Those stuck in the Nocattee mindset are lost souls to the cause and work against a better functioning "city". This issue very much rides the same line of the election we just endured. Do we come together as community of diverse individuals or do we lock ourselves in our 3 bedroom 2 bath home and only go the clubhouse for entertainment?

Honestly? A LOT of people moving into Jax are there for the cheap 3 bed 2 bath housing development homes and strip mall entertainment. They aren't into downtown. Younger creative types are.... but a lot of them are leaving. Or keeping a small place in Jax and getting their "city life" fix while traveling. I think it's a very small vocal minority concerned about Hemming Plaza... to everyone else it's something they cut thru on their way to Sweet Pete's during Art Walk.

remc86007 · November 12, 2016, 10:03:02 PM

More people would be into the "city life" if there was more residential on the north bank. I think encouraging the redevelopment or the Barnett bank building and the Laura street trio is essential to getting downtown going. Also, if the Skyway is extended it will greatly increase the potential foot traffic in Hemming Park.

Bill Hoff · November 17, 2016, 06:47:20 PM

A great, great piece by Ron Littlepage about COJ & Hemming Park. Hopefully Mayor Curry will follow through....

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/2016-11-17/ron-littlepage-can-city-run-hemming-park-when-it-can-t-empty-trash-bins-riverwalk

Houseboat Mike · November 18, 2016, 09:16:44 AM

Quote from: Bill Hoff on November 17, 2016, 06:47:20 PM
A great, great piece by Ron Littlepage about COJ & Hemming Park. Hopefully Mayor Curry will follow through....

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/2016-11-17/ron-littlepage-can-city-run-hemming-park-when-it-can-t-empty-trash-bins-riverwalk

"One of the ideas Mousa tossed out was cutting down the oak trees that are in the park. Cutting down trees never goes over well in Jacksonville.

His reasoning is that the tree canopy creates too much shade, which encourages people to hang out in the park. He suggested palm trees might be a good replacement."

Good lord how backwards can we get?

Tacachale · November 18, 2016, 09:38:30 AM

This depends entirely on who they put in charge of this. That was the problem with FOHP - great ideas and a lot of improvements, but they couldn't stick the execution. If they get someone who can pull off the improvements FOHP has been talking about (on a more sustainable level), it could go well. If they get someone that seriously considers cutting down trees and removing amenities, it won't.