Salvaging The Big Idea I: Kids Kampus & Flex Space

[Osborn]

I like the concept and simply taking away 1 lot for a parking ramp is not going to ruin tailgating in the least.  In fact, it may improve it.  Not everyone wants to tailgate and those who do would still have plenty of room.    

Discussing bars/restaurants, Denver has an excellent area where they revitalized a very bad part of town and turned it into a crown jewel.  The only problem I see with Jax duplicating that is that I am not sure that on any given night the bars/restaurants would draw a large enough crowd to be sustainable long term.  I think there is potential for a very vibrant night life/sports district in Jax but I think we are looking further down the road, maybe 5-10 years, when all the condo's etc. get built.  I certainly hope something can be done to improve down town, as it stands know, you will not catch me down there after dark.    

Just my thoughts, please comment, I am new to Jax and maybe do not see everything everyone else does.  

[Steve]

First, Welcome to Jacksonville

Second, despite the perception, there are things to do in downtown at night, particulary Friday and Saturday.  On East Bay St. Mark's, Dive Bar (which it isn't) and TSI all draw large crowds.  You also have London Bridge, Burrito Gallery, and Boomtown open at night as well.  These are all outside the landing.

And finally, I agree that it will take years just to get back to where downtown was in 1970, which is awful