Intentional Sabotage of Downtown Jax?

[KenFSU]

I've heard an urban legend on numerous occasions that the Peyton family has intentionally sabotaged downtown development. This usually comes up when I hear people talking about the Landing parking garage in specific. The reasons vary, but the most prevalent given seems to be that the family has a vested interest in other parts of town. I've never given it much thought, but it seems to be coming up more and more lately and, false or true, people seem to genuinely believe it. Thoughts?

[KenFSU]

On a somewhat related note, and I have heard multiple different stories on this one as well, what's the real story on Jacksonville, Gate, and 7-11? It still blows my mind that in a city covering approximately 90 billion square miles, there isn't a single 7-11 anywhere in Jacksonville. Any other city in Florida, in the southeast, hell even in Japan, they are everywhere.

[brainstormer]

While I haven't heard the rumor myself, I can't think of one good thing Peyton has done for the urban core.  I guess the rehabilitation of the City Hall Annex building.  Other than that, I'm surprised the city government offices are even still downtown.  I think if he had his way, he would tear everything down and make parking garages with pocket parks inbetween.   As for the 7-11, that is kind of weird isn't it?  I hate it when businesses are allowed to monopolize an area.  This city is so backwards.

[reednavy]

At least it stays relatively local by purchasing at Gate. If you purchase at 7-11, that goes back to a company based out of Dallas, TX. You can't miss their HQ, frecking enormous and ugly skyscraper on the Stemmons Freeway.

[civil42806]

On a somewhat related note, and I have heard multiple different stories on this one as well, what's the real story on Jacksonville, Gate, and 7-11? It still blows my mind that in a city covering approximately 90 billion square miles, there isn't a single 7-11 anywhere in Jacksonville. Any other city in Florida, in the southeast, hell even in Japan, they are everywhere.

The old local chain "little Champ" ate 7-11's lunch and chased them out of town.  In the 70's used to be a lot of 7-11 here

[copperfiend]

I have been to plenty of 7-11s in Daytona or Orlando. The majority are pretty disgusting. At least Gate seems to have a concern for cleanliness.

[BridgeTroll]

I agree... the last thing we need around here are 7-11s

[Lucasjj]

There are no longer any 7-11s becuase they pulled out of this area and Gate purchased their local operations.

[Joe]

I've heard an urban legend on numerous occasions that the Peyton family has intentionally sabotaged downtown development.

Back on the topic of downtown ... No, absolutely not. Peyton is a terrible mayor, but it is not some giant conspiracy against downtown. In fact, Peyton's family owns/has owned some significant downtown real estate. At one point, I think they owned the Crown Plaza and Riverplace Tower properties, although I'm not sure if that's still the case.

I think the real situation is that he's a "do nothing" mayor. He hasn't really accomplished anything, regardless of the area of town.

It's just that a "do nothing" mayor is particularly painful for a downtown like Jacksonville's. Basically every post-consolidation mayor except for Delany has brutally raped downtown. Peyton isn't worse than any of them (arguably he's less offensive than some) it's just that he sat on his hands and failed to take advantage of a huge nationwide resurgence in America's urban cores. For that he deserves our hatred, certainly. But there's no conspiracy.

[Karl_Pilkington]

I'm certain that when mr. oompa loompa runs for another office he'll dust off all of those supposed failures and paint them with gold and sell them as goldbricks and the lemmings will buy them like Madoff investments!

[ProjectMaximus]

I'm inclined to agree with Joe.