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

[stjr]

The Main street Bridge got alot of attention during the SB. Of course with the new lights and video screen it was in a class by itself. People from out of town seem to not be able to keep their eyes off it. The lights remain, but no video board so the effect is not the same.

What I don't understand is why, if we enhance the Main Street bridge for a million dollars as we did, we don't maintain it.  It seems our community fails to appreciate that construction costs are just the tip of the iceburg.  Operational costs have to be considered as well. (See the $ky-high-way.  We paid little locally to build it but, boy, are we paying through the nose to keep it "running".)

If the bridge (along with the other bridge lightings at a million each) was meant to attract people downtown, then paying to maintain it should be a good return on investment.  If we don't do the maintenance, then we are admitting that the initial project was a failure, IMHO.  Which is it going to be?

[buckethead]

With regard to casinos, It seems to me that the fight which would undoubtedly ensue, would bring more infighting, litigation and outright division in our community, it hardly seems worth a questionable finacial benefit.

[Ocklawaha]

Here's some throw away concepts just to get the conversation going:  A "Sun Spire", "Sun Spiral", or "Fire Spire" (paying homage both to the fire of our native sun and the Jax Fire).  It could be the world's largest prism/mirror/solar collector or at least a variation on the theme.  At night it could create its own light through fire.  How about a sculpted high rise triangular structure with water features and a blue hue that is called "Water Wing", a representation of our water everywhere, the presence of flight in Jax (aviation history, the Navy fliers, flying wildlife, etc.), the triangular shape of Ft. Caroline by the water.  Or, a giant modernistically designed hour glass structure that actually flips over (maybe with people inside for the ride!), filled with fine Florida sand, representing our sandy shores.  Or a computerized perpetual motion sculpture that mesmerizes its viewers with never-to-repeat configurations on a grand scale, to represent a City always at work and play, but never fully at rest.  Or a special architecturally significant bridge (perhaps designed to carry street cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians) that represents the importance of bridges to Jax, a bridge from the past to the future, a bridge from the North Bank to the South Bank.

How about the worlds first completed urban monorail system, with 21st century design elements, interfaced with streetcars from the 1920's era? Make sure both systems spend at least an overpass, or a few blocks along I-95 and/or I-10, which would WOW every Yankee on the super slab.

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

How about the worlds first completed urban monorail system, with 21st century design elements, interfaced with streetcars from the 1920's era? Make sure both systems spend at least an overpass, or a few blocks along I-95 and/or I-10, which would WOW every Yankee on the super slab.

Ock, I was looking for a "more positive" symbol than the "monster" $ky-high-way in disguise (Hey, Halloween was last week!) 

However, since we are in the "imagineering" stage of the game, all suggestions are welcome.  How about another suggestion, this time without rails under it. (Although, I was just thinking, if we had version of the old Mandarin or zoo kids' train running through a downtown park, that would be pretty neat.)

[Cricket]

Cricket, thanks for posting your links.

I looked at each.  Two of the links are industry sites so you know they are going to be rosy.  More importantly, they mostly focused on the business INSIDE the casinos and the TAX REVENUE they pay to government.  Also, I didn't see any reference to major cities.  What I was looking for were casinos that could be credited with revitalizing a major urban area.

stjr, let's be fair. No one is suggesting that an urban casino would by itself transform our downtown into a boomtown anymore than an upgraded Hogan's Creek would singlehandedly. It is just one contribution to the list of all the other ideas for revitalising the city. I refer you to your own quote:

There is unlikely going to be a single event that creates a "boom" Downtown.

I suggest, however, that the difference between the casino idea and all the others is that (1) it is undeniably a tax revenue generator for any city, and (2) it would help to make downtown a regional/destination town instead of the drive-thru town that it is today.

[Cricket]

I think this October 30th Wall Street Journal article about Detroit casinos may provide a more relevant take on the ups and downs of having urban casinos.

I also read that article.

It is interesting that you would point conveniently to Detroit which, in economic terms, is one of the most dire landscapes in all of America today, for reasons that we are all familiar with. The reality though is that most  urban casinos (not to be confused with gambling complexes like Vegas) while not immune to today's economic downturn, is nevertheless weathering the downturn much better than many other businesses. But downtown Detroit today might need a whole lot more of a transfusion than casinos can provide.

[Fallen Buckeye]

Here is an idea, born of late night postings:  How about creating a structure or monument so unique it becomes the City's 'world famous" signature.  So awesome, that anyone visiting can't say they came to Jax without paying a visit to the site and taking a picture by it.  A must see for anyone coming near or to Downtown Jax.  Something that just a picture of it says Jacksonville, Florida.

Like the St. Louis Arch, the Seattle Space Needle, the St. Pete Pier, Disney's Cinderella Castle or Epcot Globe, Paris's the Eiffel Tower, New York's Statue of Liberty, London's Big Ben, the Washington Monument, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge,  Philadelphia's Independence Hall/Liberty Bell, Stone Mountain, Mount Rushmore, Hollywood's sign, etc.

We could  have an international design competition for a structure/monument of such size that it could be visible throughout the Downtown area and from I-95/I-10.  With an observation deck atop it for special views.  Maybe a restaurant.  Like the examples, it must have some interaction with its visitors.

Here's some throw away concepts just to get the conversation going:  A "Sun Spire", "Sun Spiral", or "Fire Spire" (paying homage both to the fire of our native sun and the Jax Fire).  It could be the world's largest prism/mirror/solar collector or at least a variation on the theme.  At night it could create its own light through fire.  How about a sculpted high rise triangular structure with water features and a blue hue that is called "Water Wing", a representation of our water everywhere, the presence of flight in Jax (aviation history, the Navy fliers, flying wildlife, etc.), the triangular shape of Ft. Caroline by the water.  Or, a giant modernistically designed hour glass structure that actually flips over (maybe with people inside for the ride!), filled with fine Florida sand, representing our sandy shores.  Or a computerized perpetual motion sculpture that mesmerizes its viewers with never-to-repeat configurations on a grand scale, to represent a City always at work and play, but never fully at rest.  Or a special architecturally significant bridge (perhaps designed to carry street cars, bicyclists, and pedestrians) that represents the importance of bridges to Jax, a bridge from the past to the future, a bridge from the North Bank to the South Bank.

No doubt, there would be no end to possible ideas for a commission of citizens to chose from.  Upon selection, depending on the type of structure, funds from the private and/or public sectors would be sought to build it.  But once built, Jax would have a rallying point for its citizens to share in common - a part of all our identities.  When we tell others we are from Jacksonville, such an image will immediately come to the forefront of their minds.[/b]

I think it's Kansas City that's pretty famous for having tons of fountains everywhere. I've never been there, but from what I've read they're in almost every developers plans in the city. Only Rome and a couple other European cities have more.

Maybe our draw could be something in that vein where it isn't necessarily this big flashy monument but a common feature throughout the city that lends us a unique identity. I think it'd really cool to be the city of statues. Maybe offer a small one-time tax break to developers and businesses who include statues that are prominently displayed in their design plans. That might actually encourage a growing community of artists if preference were given to works of local sculptors which in turn feeds this identity. It could also encourage pedestrian traffic. We could offer city walking tours of these public art pieces and maybe special events geared towards them. Just an idea.

[sheclown]

Richmond has Monument Avenue:

Monument Avenue
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Monument Avenue, in Richmond, Virginia, memorializes Virginian native Confederate participants of the Civil War as well as Arthur Ashe, an international tennis star and Richmond native. "Monument Avenue Historic District" is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. On May 29, 1890, crowds were estimated at 100,000 to view the unveiling of the first monument, to Robert E. Lee. [3]

Monument Avenue is the site of several annual events, particularly in the spring, including the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K race [4]. At various times (such as Robert E. Lee's birthday and Confederate History Month) the Sons of Confederate Veterans gather along Monument Avenue in period military costumes. Monument Avenue is also the site of "Easter on Parade," [5] another spring tradition during which many Richmonders stroll the avenue wearing Easter bonnets and other finery or silly outfits.

In 2007, the American Planning Association named Monument Avenue one of the 10 Great Streets in the country.[6] The APA said Monument Avenue was selected for its historic architecture, urban form, quality residential and religious architecture, diversity of land uses, public art and integration of multiple multiple modes of transportation.[7]

Monuments on Monument Avenue

    * Robert E. Lee â€" equestrian sculpture by Antonin Mercié; unveiled May 29, 1890
    * J.E.B. Stuart â€" equestrian sculpture by Frederick Moynihan; unveiled May 30, 1907
    * Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America â€" sculpted by Edward Valentine; unveiled June 3, 1907
    * Stonewall Jackson â€" equestrian sculpture by Frederick William Sievers; unveiled October 11, 1919
    * Matthew Fontaine Maury, oceanographer â€" sculpted by Frederick William Sievers; unveiled November 11, 1929
    * Arthur Ashe, tennis player â€" sculpted by Paul Di Pasquale; unveiled July 10, 1996

[stjr]

Some great comments and ideas.  Thanks and keep them coming.

Maybe Stephen, Ock, and Lake could make a digest of this thread and present it to City leaders who seem to be lacking in the creativity and inspiration department.  All those Chamber trips and not one idea executed along the lines of these.

And, just think of all the consulting dollars the City would have to spend for ideas not half as good as some of these. 

[stjr]

Maybe we should get a comprehensive list ?

Stephen, here is the title:  "The MetroJax Citizen Manifesto for Improving Jacksonville, a compendium of citizen generated ideas for making Jacksonville a world class city! "

The companion volume could be: The MetroJax Citizen History of Jacksonville, a compendium of citizen provided historical accounts, facts, resources, and assorted trivia about the history of Jacksonville.

[sheclown]

Any title with "manifesto" in it, is catchy.

[stjr]

Any title with "manifesto" in it, is catchy.

Some would say it's communistic! 

[urbanlibertarian]

Is there enough available space in LaVilla for the Jacksonville Kennel Club to be relocated there from McDuff?

[ac]

^
Considering they didn't run dogs there anymore and it was basically OTB, One would think so.

EDIT: Although they do still have the actual kennel facilities there still, right?  Is that what you meant?
I'd think it more feasible to move the dogs out to OP, and just open up OTB and poker room downtown.

[stjr]

I am adding my post commenting on ideas discussed on this thread from the recent Chicago MJ article.  The cross reference link is: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,6716.new.html#new

Lincoln Park is a 1,200 acre (4.9 km², 1.875 mi²) park along Chicago, Illinois' lakefront facing Lake Michigan.

The park stretches from North Avenue (1600 N) on the south to Foster (5200 N), just north of the Lake Shore Drive terminus at North Hollywood Avenue. It is Chicago's largest public park. Its recreational facilities include 15 baseball areas, 6 basketball courts, 2 softball courts, 35 tennis courts, 163 volley ball courts, field houses, and a golf course. It includes a number of harbours with boating facilities, as well as public beaches. There are landscaped gardens, a zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and a theater on the lake with regular outdoor performances during the summer.

The above is exactly why we need to take the Shipyards AND the JEA sites and make them public spaces.  People living in urban areas, especially with kids, need these amenities in the urban environment!

Chicago looks clean, neat, uncluttered, well maintained, and green in nearly all these shots across many neighborhoods.  I don't think much of Jax looks this nice along our streets.  Also, every building just about has a street friendly ground level facade featuring either retail or residential uses.  And, the old buildings are well preserve and favorably mixed with interesting and varying  styles of new architecture.  Nothing boring or repetitious here.  Interesting, too, that none of the streets seemed to be over run with too many cars, especially in light of the population density.  Where is the traffic?  On the rails? 

Jax, are we listening and looking??