Large Venues and Small Business: Why Government makes it Impossible to Coexist

[Jason]

Doesn't really help the mass exodus of event patrons but it will help to alleviate the confusion of navigating the streets of downtown on any other day thereby making things more user friendly for day to day patrons spending money downtown.

[DeadGirlsDontDance]

That is my point.  The Jag crowd is mobile and wants in, then out of DT.  The demand is for traffic to move.  If the landing offered free beer for two hours after a Jag game, you would see that pedestrian lane after Jag games. 

How exactly does blocking roads and reducing the number of available routes expedite traffic in and out of downtown? I don't understand.

[NotNow]

When there is a large traffic demand from one point to another, such as from the interstates to the stadium before a game and from the stadium to the interstates after a game, then it expedites traffic flow to manually hold traffic lights on the one way streets between those points.  This often results in blockages on routes which cross these traffic patterns.  This occurs for about one hour before a game and normally about forty minutes after a game, depending on demand.  Routes are not reduced except when two way roads are placed into one way service.  Any visit to a large arena event where the traffic is not regulated will prove to you why this is necessary.  This is what is done during large evacuations as well.  There are even plans in place to put I10 into one way service if it is ever needed.

[NotNow]

While I realize that there is a bit of hyperbole being used, that is just not true.  What would be your alternative?  And what experience/training do you have in traffic control?

[Shwaz]

When there is a large traffic demand from one point to another, such as from the interstates to the stadium before a game and from the stadium to the interstates after a game, then it expedites traffic flow to manually hold traffic lights on the one way streets between those points.  This often results in blockages on routes which cross these traffic patterns.  This occurs for about one hour before a game and normally about forty minutes after a game, depending on demand.  Routes are not reduced except when two way roads are placed into one way service.  Any visit to a large arena event where the traffic is not regulated will prove to you why this is necessary.  This is what is done during large evacuations as well.  There are even plans in place to put I10 into one way service if it is ever needed.

It destroys downtown.

If it wasn't for the Jaguars & FBC there wouldn't be a single person DT on a Sunday afternoon

For reference see any Saturday afternoon.

[NotNow]

The attendees have to have a reasonable traffic plan, or those sixty thousand will completely clog downtown.  Now, these guys have only been doing this for the last twenty years, but, if things have changed, I am sure that any new ideas will be entertained.  What is your plan?

[NotNow]

I have worked traffic at venues where the traffic plan was well thought out and I have worked venues with little or no traffic plan that needed one.  The lack of a plan will NOT result in "customers" or "a lively downtown".  It results in traffic crashes, road rage, and irritated citizens who vow never to come back to such a disorganized place. 

I AM more concerned with public safety than money, but the policy is not designed to hurt merchants.  Insults do not add to the exchange of ideas by the way.

[Shwaz]

Has there been a study concerning business trends during these events?

How many merchants are open on Sundays?

If they are open how do their sales compare to non-event Sundays?

[SkipnStones]

I am a huge advocate for downtown revitalization. That said: The objective point is that the stadium requires all the revenues that it can muster. It is inherent of the owners to squeeze every last penny out the football patrons, as possible.

As a business they are required to leave their customers with a positive experience which includes getting the patrons in and out as fast as possible! It is called customer service and satisfaction.

Downtown revitalization should operate under the same rules of success as the stadium. Downtown should stand independent of whatever happens at or to the stadium.
If you operate the downtown as a separate business entity then and only then will there be venues of entertainment, streets filled with strolling patrons, and a cultural explosion not seen in decades!
And there is the crux of the problem....the city does not have true entrepreneurial  management experience.

[fieldafm]

I hang out downtown after games.  I wish more people would(you know you can get cheap beer at the Landing by showing your ticket stub, and such businesses as Hooters and London Bridge offer shuttles or boat rides to and from the game  if you patronize their business )

However, to be fair, various studies conducted by the Jaguars and the University of Florida(FL/GA game) found that people wanted the most expedient ways to feed into the interstate, over the bridges and away from the stadium after games. 

I hate that people don't want to stay downtown after a game, but the traffic policies only follow what people have been very clearly screaming loud and clear to the Jags and to the universities.

Perhaps what we need is an excuse to stay downtown after the games?  There are quite a few young adults that like to eat and drink after Jags and Suns games(especially on Thursday Throwdown nights).  Maybe we should do a better job enticing them to want to stay downtown instead of wanting to leave??

[Steve]

Wow, talk about undearthing an old thread.  I wrote this in like 07!

The key is that both the venues and small business have needs, and by blocking every intersection.  The closest example of Jacksonville that I've seen is Chicago after a Bears game.  They just stick a cop at every intersection, so that you can still get wherever need to.

[mtraininjax]

The Old St. Luke's hospital and site should be converted in a mixed use complex.

Uh, no, Jax Historical Society can do more with the old hospital than a trendy restaurant. After all Gas light pub has been what 3 other restaurants and no success. They should just shut down before and after Jags season, seriously.

I plan to go to the Jags games and then Dos Gatos afterward, going to see my buddy Jason. Had a blast after the Goo Goo Dolls this Sunday. We need to support the downown bars more, I agree.