Top 10 Things to Make DOWN-town a BOOM-town

[thelakelander]

Does anyone really believe that upgrading and renovating a park (or parks) will somehow result in a boom for the city of Jacksonville?

Cricket, re: your comments on doing something different, you must be a visionary! ;-) Re: your comment above, when the folks at Project for Public Spaces (pps.org) visited Jax to contribute on the Hogan's Creek Parks master planning project, they indicated that 2 projects they did in Detroit and Houston (Campus Martius and Discovery Green, respectively), which were significantly smaller in terms of acreage, generated more than $1/2B in adjacent economic development combined. Your comment was about short-term, and I'm not sure of the actual timing of completion of these two projects, but my memory wants to spit out 2005-2006 time frame. If that is the timing, then that amount of economic development in that short of a time frame in park space adjacent communities is staggering!

We have covered Campus Martius several times in Metro Jacksonville's past.  It was dedicated in late 2004.  It proves that a "well planned and integrated" public space can spur a decent amount of economic development.  Unfortunately, in Jacksonville, "planning and integrating" public spaces with their surroundings has been an afterthought.  Not to impressed with HDR's early work in the area but PPS has a good reputation and a history of successful projects.  I'm excited to see what they cook up.  However, I'm more interested on how the space will integrate with it's surroundings more so than the design of the park itself.

Anyway, here are a few pics of Campus Martius Park in Detroit.  Its one of my favorite spaces in that city.

[north miami]

There are ten impaired (sedimentation,trash load impacts etc etc) Duval county waterways identified for restoration through joint City/Corps of enginners effort.Only one has been completed,a downtown waterway that saw prominence in action due to Super Bowl and downtown initiative.
Number two on the list is  Fishweir Creek- chomp on a burger at the Avondale Loop at lower tides and the sedimentation is evident- stemming from decades old impacts....and the efforts at restoration subject to decades old fits and starts,funding delays.Perhaps a major announcement soon.(Our own Michael Hollingsworth,former great first RiverKeeper and now with COE as project lead is great source of information)

And it all takes so much time.

If downtown and our waterways not viable,then WHEN??

I am in my early 50,s and have watched and worked on this for decades.I don't think I want to wait around for-ever.If not by now,why not??

The poll that never could be produced:
Downtown is entrenched because of the 'edge city' effect,a spirit of expansionist development that was sure to leave the 'inner" behind.....and simply too many black people.

Click & 'delete' and let the endless posts roll ......................

[zoo]

Only one has been completed,a downtown waterway that saw prominence in action due to Super Bowl and downtown initiative.

Which waterway was this?

[stjr]

Observation:  Compare some of the building architecture in the Detroit pix posted by Ock and to Jax buildings.  Architecture can go a long way in creating and inspiring vitality and development in a City.  We need to place more importance on demand unique designs.  Not simple glass covered or fortress style boxes. 

[Johnny]

stjr, I'm not sure by how you worded it if you are saying the buildings in the photos are nice or not, but if so I have to disagree. In fact, when Lake posted them, I instantly thought those are some ugly buildings... The building in front of the green-way looks okay, but the rest of them look pretty depressing. In the view of all the buildings, the dark buildings look like a burned out elevator shaft and the rest look like either broken legos or crab traps (minus the 2 historic looking ones in the background). I would hope Jax strives for something much more impressive than those, I do agree with your point, just not the buildings in those pictures (if that is what you were getting at).

[Keith-N-Jax]

I think he was referring to style(architeture) unique is the key word I would think. Atleast those buildings you mention have unique designs. Downtown Jax is mostly a collection of glass boxes. IMO Jax is really only pretty at night and the bridges have alot to do with that.

[north miami]

Zoo- you ask which waterway has recently received 'restoration' attention.

(Again,Michael Hollingsworth/Jac Corps of Engineers can provide details.)

Ten waterways on the list.The first,core downtown waterway, 'completed'.
Those of us interested in finally getting to #2 are under the impression that #1 was fast tracked for Super Bowl/Downtown.Millions of dollars

I am sorry to say I can't recall the name of  completed #1- my overflowing files not handy as i bang these words out.
Nearer towards the Stadium- not the waterway that runs from the river,under Florida Times Union and arches over towards I-95, but rather the waterway to the east/northeast.

Accounts here in MJ posts that this 'restored' waterway remains nasty could be a real relevation if in fact correct observation.

[thelakelander]

That would be Hogans Creek but I don't remember them touching it.

[north miami]

Thank you Lakelander;Hogans Creek

The recent past restoration efforts,or reference to and potential for is probably worth follow up.Mike Hollingsworth/COE and City Public works.

From my files (I need to learn how to scan to MJ format)
April 26,2004
Letter from Richard E.Bonner,P.E.,Deputy District Engineer;Corps of Engineers, to Mr.Lynn A. Westbrook,P.E.,Director of Public Works,City of Jacksonville

Highlights of the letter-

"We regret to inform you that the Federal funds for the Army's Section 206 of the Water Resorces Development Act have been exhausted and work on your projects,Hogan's Creek and Big Fishweir Creek,have been suspended"

"Ms.Doris Marlin is the project manager and can be reached at (904) 232-1040.Ms.Marlin will be contacting your office when sufficient funds become avaialable and we can resume work on your project"

(Again,fascinating to me that all of this is "lost")

[north miami]

See my post above;Hogans Creek efforts/funding

Note COE letter reference to Fishweir Creek,# 2 on 'the list' following Hogan's Creek.We are proceeding on Fishweir,under the impression that #1 has been addressed.....................

[mtraininjax]

Not me.  That's the busiest corner in Central Jacksonville, traffic wise.  Instead of creating additional park space when there is already plenty next door, the entire area would be better off by it being developed into a pedestrian friendly commercial use (ex. grocery, hotel, retail anchor, mixed-use, etc.).  Designed right, it could benefit from the traffic using State, Union, Main and Ocean, plus provide the park with everyday use.

That is a GREAT IDEA to build a groc where the former Park View was located, a mini publix, sure, with mixed use next to it, small parking lot, could close Ocean and extend the commercial space east of the PVI. That whole corner would fit nicely with a connection to the park and creek.

JEA really should open up access to the old Water Works for a park and visitation.

[futurejax]

I think Casinos could make Jax a regional destination/hot spot.  I understand the obvious problems that come with it but with more police around the casinos I think you eliminate a lof of the riff raf.  Las Vegas  clearly has figured out a way to keep the scum from overrunning the city.  There is an opening in the Southeast to be the region's Las Vegas.  Not to say anyone can be Las Vegas but if Jax could become a nicer/cleaner version of AC while not devoting the entire town's resources to only gambling I think it could transform the town.  If a "strip" is not politicially and practicality wise viable, how about riverboat gambling along the St. John's?  They could go from the Landing and drift along the river.  This would be the alternative for adults who don't want to do Orlando theme parks, think Miami is too far or don't like the scene and live anywhere from Daytona to  as far north as Atlanta and even Charlotte.  You'd get east coast 95 traffic for stop ins on road trips, the potential is huge.  The key to me is somehow keeping it 'upscale'.  You want the scene to be classy and shiek so that you don't risk becoming AC.  And keep the zoning on a smaller scale so that it doesn't dominate the entire town or again just keeping it on the water by way of riverboats.  It's somewhat risky but if we're talking about going BOOM TOWN, timid and safe aint gonna do it.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Casinos in Jax is not happening as long as the sun rises and sets. Lets look else where!!!

[stjr]

I do agree with your point, just not the buildings in those pictures (if that is what you were getting at).

I was referring to the the Ernst & Young building with the green/white sides, angled roof, and curving base, and the butterfly building facing the green (see picture below).  I am not saying for my money these are my tastes, but at least they are unique, grab your attention, make you think about them plus or minus, and inspire comment (witness our conversation here).  In other words, they engage you.  I rarely see that amongst most of our simply boxed and glass skinned Jax buildings.

Detroit has an added disadvantage in that they just don't get to enjoy the brightness or frequency of all that sunshine we get here.  With the exception of one of the pix posted, it looks like all of these were shadowy days.  Our natural asset would only spotlight great architecture even more.

[Keith-N-Jax]

Imagine that pic here in the Prime Osborne courtyard, or the old court house site along the river front. IMO everything has been laid at the feet of our leaders. We just need the vision and of course money to do it.