Downtown closer to tipping point for transformation

[marcuscnelson]

Stop me if you've heard this before.

While Downtown observers have heard it for years, developers say this time, it's real.

They say you won't recognize Downtown in three to four – maybe seven – years. That it is at a tipping point in development and attracting residents and capital investment.

That Jacksonville is 20 years behind Tampa's resurgence, but it's time is now.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/mar/11/developers-downtown-closer-to-the-tipping-point-for-transformation/

Probably a lot to say about this, but I'll just note to start that while the Emerald Trail is mentioned as a major public investment that will support development, none of JTA's flagship transit projects are.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Read this article and didn't see "boo" about downtown transit improvement.  Where is an urban circulator, for starts?  I guess they are counting on U2C... LOL.  It was mostly about getting handouts for developers.

[BridgeTroll]

Yeah... heard it before... was an advocate, a cheerleader,  a participant,... after many years became disillusioned, disinterested and ultimately unimpressed... and finally moved away... so heard it before... multiple times...please stop...it hurts...

[Tacachale]

I don't use terms like "transformative", "iconic", "tipping point" and the like, but I'm very encouraged that what we're seeing now in terms of infrastructure and public spaces investment, as well as interest from developers who have the resources to move things forward like these folks. It's time for hitting singles and advancing the base runners. I haven't been this optimistic in a long time.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Best thing going for Downtown is the Emerald Trail, especially after today's announcement of major Federal funding.  While the City is supporting it today, it came about due to non-City efforts originally.  Hats off to Groundwork Jacksonville for pulling this off.  If Downtown jumps from here, that is the project where I will give the most credit.  It is a great example of why the City needs to open up to community and outside feedback and ideas.  We have had too many decades of incestuous thinking and relationships.

[marcuscnelson]

I don't use terms like "transformative", "iconic", "tipping point" and the like, but I'm very encouraged that what we're seeing now in terms of infrastructure and public spaces investment, as well as interest from developers who have the resources to move things forward like these folks. It's time for hitting singles and advancing the base runners. I haven't been this optimistic in a long time.

We're definitely not out of the woods in terms of direction yet, there's still plenty of time to mess things up in classic fashion, but that the Emerald Trail is now shaping up to be a $300 million project that will pay dividends more (only if we let it) is very encouraging. Atlanta was likely at a similar point years ago with the Beltline, so the question now is if we rise to the moment and grow the city around this infrastructure or drop the ball again and let it languish by failing to build on this momentum.

[LadyBugJax]

My optimism as far as development goes is the Gateway project. It's big enough, appears to have the financing behind it (we'll see). The model from Water Street is successful and they are going above and beyond the minimum as far as street design. Goes to show you the riverfront doesn't have to be chock a block full of buildings, people can walk 5 blocks to enjoy the riverfront especially when we'll have the Emerald Trail to connect it. In St. Petersburg, the high rises are all 4-5+ blocks off the bay and Central Avenue is the cultural restaurant hub.  That should be our Laura St. and Hogans Street. 

[fsu813]

^ Best thing going for Downtown is the Emerald Trail, especially after today's announcement of major Federal funding.  While the City is supporting it today, it came about due to non-City efforts originally.

The grant to create Groundwork Jax was spearheaded by Mayor Brown's administration, supported by several non-profits.

[jaxlongtimer]

^ Best thing going for Downtown is the Emerald Trail, especially after today's announcement of major Federal funding.  While the City is supporting it today, it came about due to non-City efforts originally.

The grant to create Groundwork Jax was spearheaded by Mayor Brown's administration, supported by several non-profits.

Interesting.  Mayor Brown has a current connection to transportation as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, appointed by Biden.  As such, I imagine he knows a few people in USDOT and might have made a few calls to assist 

[thelakelander]

Continue to bring in the big bucks while city hall and DC are politically aligned.

[jaxlongtimer]

Continue to bring in the big bucks while city hall and DC are politically aligned.

I have heard that USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg has made some good friends with members of the current administration, as well.  It is about time Jax exercises some political muscle in DC to bring home worthwhile projects, not boondoggles like the Skyway/U2C, that only take away from projects that might really benefit our whole City.

[CityLife]

Continue to bring in the big bucks while city hall and DC are politically aligned.

I have heard that USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg has made some good friends with members of the current administration, as well.  It is about time Jax exercises some political muscle in DC to bring home worthwhile projects, not boondoggles like the Skyway/U2C, that only take away from projects that might really benefit our whole City.

City Council gave the Mayor some serious flak for bringing Mike Langton in on a no-bid contract for $300k last fall. Looks like that small amount is already being paid back well. Langton knows how to find and win grant dollars and connect people. I'd imagine that he is also invaluable in helping counsel the Mayor and her team about how to effectively lobby. 

Really big W from the Mayors office. Like Lake said, good time to strike while Biden is in office. Jax is a major battleground now in the national election, so it's a great opportunity to grab some money while Biden is trying to win over voters.