City Council wants spark to energize Downtown

heights unknown · December 23, 2009, 10:07:19 AM

Your eyes may roll, and your teeth may grit, but with the present City Administration, a spark to energize downtown you'll never git!

"HU"

mtraininjax · December 23, 2009, 10:30:07 PM

It never ceases to amaze me that when any discussion of sprucing up downtown is discussed, we seem to get the zealot who wants to interject rail. Oh, well, I suppose 2010 will be more of the same, so ring in the new year with new choo-choo projects.

Redman is posturing, plain and simple, letting people know he is taking care of downtown, in prep for a run at the Mayor's office. Jones covers North Riverside and parts of Murray Hill, and with the facelift McDuff is getting, you would think you would see more of him out there in the press, and for some unknown reason, you don't.

Tax increase to fix boards, replace lights, fix broken tiles? That is ongoing maintenance. We don't need to spend 30 million on the fountain if we can't replace the burned out light bulbs along the river walk!

Ocklawaha · December 23, 2009, 10:50:35 PM

The Zealot!

RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL
RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL
RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL RAIL
OCKLAWAHA

Overstreet · December 23, 2009, 11:18:43 PM

Quote from: fsu813 on December 22, 2009, 08:19:45 AM
...................Redman says the warped, wood-planked path needs an overhaul to bring it up to the standard set by the pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly Northbank Riverwalk..............

Twenty years on a wood deck is really a good record without extensive maintenance.

stjr · December 23, 2009, 11:37:38 PM

^Was Redman on the budget cutting committee during the summer? That committee may have helped cut out the extra $50 bucks from the city budget to replace the board he fell upon . Hey, we all saved $97 a year in property taxes, right? How much did the emergency room cost him?

mtraininjax · December 23, 2009, 11:52:04 PM

I would have expected pages upon pages, of pictures, for choo-choo expansion. Perhaps we can get some George Jetson style pictures on the next expose on local transportation, "choo-choo of the future will not even use rail", or something more far fetched than what we have now.

Noone · March 29, 2011, 10:43:00 PM

Quote from: Dan B on December 22, 2009, 08:27:31 AM
So he has now been in office for 2 YEARS, and NOW he wants to take on the challenge of fixing downtown... Keep in mind, Redman is the councilman who covers MOST OF DOWNTOWN!!!

I guess late is better than never, but I think this illustrates the problem to a tee.

I miss Tia.

Show and Tell.

Councilman Redman, Please Show everyone that you will introduce legislation 2010-604 that would compliment the ord. that will keep the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier separate.

We want to Tell everyone to Visit our vibrant Downtown especially on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

uptowngirl · March 30, 2011, 06:51:26 AM

Are people really upset about tax increases, or what gets done with the money from the tax increases? I do not mind raising the sales tax to fund libraries, parks, riverwalks, a public pier, etc etc- but layout the plan and then follow it. I certainly do not want to pay an increase in taxes for more consultant fees on studies to move the fair from DT. I believe the whole anti tax backlash that put Scott in office and may also carry Hogan is more about the waste of tax dollars than not being willing to pay taxes for quality of life enhancements. The people do not trust their leaders with the money! (at least that is what I HOPE it is all about)

futurejax · March 30, 2011, 09:37:03 AM

Quote from: uptowngirl on March 30, 2011, 06:51:26 AM
Are people really upset about tax increases, or what gets done with the money from the tax increases? I do not mind raising the sales tax to fund libraries, parks, riverwalks, a public pier, etc etc- but layout the plan and then follow it. I certainly do not want to pay an increase in taxes for more consultant fees on studies to move the fair from DT. I believe the whole anti tax backlash that put Scott in office and may also carry Hogan is more about the waste of tax dollars than not being willing to pay taxes for quality of life enhancements. The people do not trust their leaders with the money! (at least that is what I HOPE it is all about)

This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,

City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.

People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?

City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!

People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?

City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.

People - sounds great $:-\$

and on and on and on and on

tufsu1 · March 30, 2011, 10:04:12 AM

futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.

johnnyroadglide · March 30, 2011, 10:07:48 AM

Quote from: tufsu1 on March 30, 2011, 10:04:12 AM
futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.

You are correct tufsu1.

futurejax · March 30, 2011, 10:23:21 AM

Quote from: tufsu1 on March 30, 2011, 10:04:12 AM
futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.

good point, should've used another example

hillary supporter · March 30, 2011, 01:08:58 PM

Quote from: futurejax on March 30, 2011, 09:37:03 AM

This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,

City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.

People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?

City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!

People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?

City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.

People - sounds great $:-\$

and on and on and on and on

[/quote]
Pertaining to the courthouse, i was told that the recent construction (completion) of the courthouse was mandatory from state requirements that went back to the moloney (sic) administration, when it was approved. I discovered this when trying to buy residential property DT when all the sellers were convinced their DT properties were worth millions! They said the courthouse increased the value. No tears from me as i left for riverside!

hillary supporter · March 30, 2011, 01:09:24 PM

Quote from: hillary supporter on March 30, 2011, 01:08:58 PM
Quote from: futurejax on March 30, 2011, 09:37:03 AM

This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,

City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.

People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?

City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!

People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?

City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.

People - sounds great $:-\$

and on and on and on and on

Pertaining to the courthouse, i was told that the recent construction (completion) of the courthouse was mandatory from state requirements that went back to the moloney (sic) administration, when it was approved. I discovered this when trying to buy residential property DT when all the sellers were convinced their DT properties were worth millions! They said the courthouse increased the value. No tears from me as i left for riverside!
[/quote]

Debbie Thompson · March 30, 2011, 01:14:07 PM

Need a spark? One or two hour free parking. I've seen that in other places. That will attract people downtown for lunch, a quick trip to the library, shopping (if stores return to downtown....someday....) I mean, really, how much revenue does the City bring in on parking meters anyway? Enough to cover the costs of killing downtown?