Post Housing Boom: How Does Jax Stack Up to Other Florida Cities?

[alta]

My point about downtown development was during the real estate boom of the last several years.  I remember going to Miami during Ultra Music Festival in 2004.  They had at least 5-10 towers in the early construction stages then.  We didn't get momentum until 2005 with the Peninsula, The Strand and San Marco Place.    Jacksonville was the mecca of the movie industry during the 20's.  We have a glorious past.  We still have a lot of great historical buildings even though quite a few have been torn down to make room for buildings like the old library.  I'm not making the argument that we can't have a vibrant downtown.  Quite the contrary.   

[heights unknown]

Understood Alta, acknowledged and noted.  You are right on mark my friend.

Heights Unknown

[thelakelander]

I visited downtown West Palm Beach, Worth Avenue and Downtown Fort Lauderdale today.  There's not as much construction taking place in these cities as there was a few years back.  In fact, there's very little.  However, a lot of the proposals announced in these cities were completed.  Skyline wise, Jax still dominates but they are all more vibrant at street level.  I'll hit Downtown Miami and Boca Raton tomorrow before heading back to Jax.

[ProjectMaximus]

I visited downtown West Palm Beach, Worth Avenue and Downtown Fort Lauderdale today.  There's not as much construction taking place in these cities as there was a few years back.  In fact, there's very little.  However, a lot of the proposals announced in these cities were completed.  Skyline wise, Jax still dominates but they are all more vibrant at street level.  I'll hit Downtown Miami and Boca Raton tomorrow before heading back to Jax.

Is there a forum where we can lobby for the new "learning from" or "city comparison" articles we most want to see? Basically, would you put up a vote for "Lake's next vacation destination?" I've already got a few places in mind.   

[alta]

I'm skiing next March in Utah.  I'm going to take at least a half day to get some good pictures of the Trax (light rail), TOD, Intermodal Hub and commuter rail in Salt Lake City. 

[ProjectMaximus]

I'm skiing next March in Utah.  I'm going to take at least a half day to get some good pictures of the Trax (light rail), TOD, Intermodal Hub and commuter rail in Salt Lake City. 

sounds fun!

[thelakelander]

Is there a forum where we can lobby for the new "learning from" or "city comparison" articles we most want to see? Basically, would you put up a vote for "Lake's next vacation destination?" I've already got a few places in mind.  

Lol.  I've actually cut back on my trips this year.  However, when I travel for family reasons, I normally visit the downtowns of major cities I past through.  I'll be visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, so most likely I'll stop in Orlando, Tampa and St. Petersburg while I'm down there.   I'm overdue for a couple of trips out West.  Its also time for me to make return trips back to DC, New Orleans and Chicago.  Plus, St. Louis and Baltimore are two cities I've been trying to pencil in for a while.   Anyway, let me know what cities you're interested in. Who knows, it may be on my hit list for 2009. 

Btw, I spent some time down in Miami today.  Miami is no Chicago, but its no Jax either.  Although there is not much condo construction going on, there are a couple of office and hotel tower projects.  There are a lot of half empty condo buildings and its evident with the empty new retail spaces that are in everyone of them at street level.  Another thing that hurts downtown walkability down there is that most of the new development is linear.  You'll see something nice and urban on one block, while the next block may be surface parking or vacant lots.  There's not much in nightlife, outside of a new outdoor mall/town center in the Brickell District, but the Flagler Street retail district pulls in a decent crowd even on Sundays.  The downtown core will become a true vibrant center when it fills in horizontally.  However, I'm impressed with the strip of development that stretches a few miles north of downtown along Biscayne Blvd.  Its a great example of a highway with 70s/80s sprawl development and fast food restaurants giving way to new development that lines the street.

As for Fort Lauderdale, imo that downtown does not have much character or life outside of the Las Olas strip and riverwalk.  The large surface parking lots in the heart of it really hamper the desire to park the car and get out and walk.  The skyline is nice, but I'm more impressed with Downtown Coral Gables.  However, Fort Lauderdale Beach is pretty nice and lively.

Overall, compared to South Florida's major cities skyline wise (as far as downtowns go), Jax only takes a back seat to Miami.

[ProjectMaximus]

I think I remember reading about an urban Target in DT miami. The issues of defining the population segment that they would target (no pun intended) and how the design could work in an urban environment. Might have been on this site, not sure.

Have you considered stopping by St augustine, daytona, west palm beach and all the little areas down there? Or if you're out in St Pete, maybe going further down to sarasota?

Anyway, as far as the cities that were on my mind (im pretty sure you havent done these ones yet but if im wrong forgive me)

Des Moines - very interesting business growth, imo.
Twin Cities - Minneapolis and St Paul both appear to be terrific centers of arts and culture.
Omaha
Kansas City

clearly, the midwest intrigues me, and these are all cities I've never been to since I was old enough to remember.

Ann Arbor - Detroit is struggling, but is that to AA's benefit or detriment? I spent just a couple days here last year, and most of it on UM's campus, so I'd like to learn more about the strengths of this college town.

Milwaukee - I was also only here for a day about three months ago, and I thought there was a lot to explore that I just didn't have time for. And Milwaukee seems comparable to Jax in a few ways.

Denver/Boulder - I was here for two days a couple years back and did not get below the surface. Nice vibe at both locales, though.

Colorado Springs - I don't know much about this place, never been here either. But I'm curious so I threw it in along with the other CO cities.

I'd also like to learn about Salt Lake, as alta mentioned.

There's your assignment, Lake...you've got your work cut out for you. I give you 6 months. 

BTW, if you're coming to Chicago before next august, lemme know and maybe I can tag along.  After August '09 and I won't know where I'll be yet.

[thelakelander]

Already covered:

St. Augustine
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/637/118/

Sarasota
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/81/118/

In the pipeline:

West Palm Beach-Downtown, Worth Avenue
Boca Raton
Miami-Downtown, Biscayne Blvd, Brickell, Little Havana
Fort Lauderdale-Downtown, Beach
White Plains, NY
Stamford, CT
Bridgeport, CT
Syracuse, NY
Newark, NJ

Trips scheduled:

Orlando
Tampa
St. Petersburg
Salt Lake City (Alta)
Chicago (Steve)

As for the others, the last time I was in Ann Arbor was around 2004.  I won't share those images since they are out of date.  I planned to visit Milwaukee last year but ended up spending that time in Toronto when the pricing came out to be the same.  Whenever I get back to Chicago, I'll probably attempt to spend a day there.  I'm interested in all of the others, but if I head out west, it will be either Denver or one of the cities along the Pacific coast.  I've been thinking about possibly moving to Dallas for two years or so (strong architecture market + cheap cost of living + rail already in place).  If that happens, I'll be in good position to cover all of the Midwestern cities during that time period.

[ProjectMaximus]

Oh no! How can we be sure that you'll come back?!

[thelakelander]

I'm also considering New Orleans, DC and Dubia in addition to Dallas.   If I end up leaving, it will be because its the best financial decision for me to make at this point in my life.  I have kids now, so its not just me I have to look out for.  However, I do own real estate here and I love the passion of the urban community.  This place can be an economic urban powerhouse if it ever finds a way to put all the chips together.  If I end up leaving, I'll probably be back once the economic conditions improve.

[Seraphs]

I'm also considering New Orleans, DC and Dubia in addition to Dallas.   If I end up leaving, it will be because its the best financial decision for me to make at this point in my life.  I have kids now, so its not just me I have to look out for.  However, I do own real estate here and I love the passion of the urban community.  This place can be an economic urban powerhouse if it ever finds a way to put all the chips together.  If I end up leaving, I'll probably be back once the economic conditions improve.

You have to do what you have to do this is certainly  understandable, but oh man, would you be missed.  One of the greatest compliments I've ever been given was to be called mature.  You add so much to this forum, maturity, knowledge, leadership and the ability to bring people together collectively.  I was kind of hoping we could talk you into running for mayor of Jax.

[ProjectMaximus]

When you finally return from any of those places, remember to bring the street cars, heavy rail, or light rail back with you, whatever the case may be! (Dubai's light rail will be complete next year, i believe)

[alta]

If you move to Dubai send me your address.  I want to come visit. If you stay we will all support your run for mayor.   

[Keith-N-Jax]

Bring some scrapers back from Dubai also, and if you see an aquarium and marine museum along the way, bring those back also. Yours truly Keith.