Encore Tampa: A Lesson for Urban Jacksonville

[Jason]

I'm looking forward to what will become of the area once the courthouse is finished.  It should go a long way towards sparking some infill around its perimeters.  We just need to lobby for an enhanced push for pedestrian friendly developments.

[heights unknown]

Much applause to Tampa.  We can learn from what they have accomplished from the acquisition NOW of those stimulus dollars; don't care what happened in the past; this project is now ready to move forward.  Wake up Jax!

"HU"

[heights unknown]

LaVilla is ruined...to the extent that it no longer exist with almost no buildings, houses, and many vacant lots...so it was, and is ruined but only in a sense.

"HU"

[fsujax]

There may have been buildings built in Lavilla that is true, too bad they are of a suburban design and do not create an urban, walkable area.

[tufsu1]

The difference is leadership.

Jacksonville mayor = John Peyton
Tampa mayor = Pam Iorio

Pam is a real believer in mass transit and urban redevelopment. She is an outstanding public servant and has staked her reputation and career on getting mass transit. Even the Republicans I know in Jacksonville think John Peyton is an incompetent moron who has spent his time trying to help family friends instead of doing what's best for the city of Jacksonville. Hopefully one day Jax gets good leadership, because it is sad to see a city with so much potential let it go to waste.

Having lived there, I can assure you that Ms. Iorio did virtually nothing in her first term....and if the transit vote doesn't happen this year, she won't have much to show for Term #2 either.

[DemocraticNole]

The difference is leadership.

Jacksonville mayor = John Peyton
Tampa mayor = Pam Iorio

Pam is a real believer in mass transit and urban redevelopment. She is an outstanding public servant and has staked her reputation and career on getting mass transit. Even the Republicans I know in Jacksonville think John Peyton is an incompetent moron who has spent his time trying to help family friends instead of doing what's best for the city of Jacksonville. Hopefully one day Jax gets good leadership, because it is sad to see a city with so much potential let it go to waste.

Having lived there, I can assure you that Ms. Iorio did virtually nothing in her first term....and if the transit vote doesn't happen this year, she won't have much to show for Term #2 either.

I have lived in both Jax and Tampa. Are you going to tell me Pam is not a better mayor than John Peyton? Also, how can you say she has done nothing? There has been significant development in downtown since she became mayor, they have extended the streetcar line, opened up a beautiful new art museum on the river with a waterfront park, and increased the connectivity of the Tampa Riverwalk. The crime rates have also gone down and she has done a good job of keeping the city's finance in order in a very difficult economic time.

Pam is an outstanding public servant who carries herself with a high degree of integrity. We could use more pols like her.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I wonder how Tampa would have handle the Landing situation? I visit Tampa quite often and sure they have set backs, but there not do to poor vision or lack there of, unwise spending, and just plain being dumb.

[urbanlibertarian]

Has City of Tampa used eminent domain at all for Encore?

[Jaxson]

In 2008, I went to Tampa for a union convention.  I enjoyed the city's convention center as well as my hotel and the surrounding area.  The convention delegates and I did not lack for amenities like restaurants and entertainment and we took advantage of the street cars to venture out into Ybor City.  I cannot understand how Jacksonville cannot get their act together.

[DemocraticNole]

Has City of Tampa used eminent domain at all for Encore?

I am not sure if they have used it for Encore, but historically the city shies away from using eminent domain. They attempt to attract private investors to front the bill. The St. Pete Times Forum on the river is a prime example of that philosophy.

[urbanlibertarian]

Good. Thanks for the response.

[tufsu1]

The difference is leadership.

Jacksonville mayor = John Peyton
Tampa mayor = Pam Iorio

Pam is a real believer in mass transit and urban redevelopment. She is an outstanding public servant and has staked her reputation and career on getting mass transit. Even the Republicans I know in Jacksonville think John Peyton is an incompetent moron who has spent his time trying to help family friends instead of doing what's best for the city of Jacksonville. Hopefully one day Jax gets good leadership, because it is sad to see a city with so much potential let it go to waste.

Having lived there, I can assure you that Ms. Iorio did virtually nothing in her first term....and if the transit vote doesn't happen this year, she won't have much to show for Term #2 either.

I have lived in both Jax and Tampa. Are you going to tell me Pam is not a better mayor than John Peyton? Also, how can you say she has done nothing? There has been significant development in downtown since she became mayor, they have extended the streetcar line, opened up a beautiful new art museum on the river with a waterfront park, and increased the connectivity of the Tampa Riverwalk. The crime rates have also gone down and she has done a good job of keeping the city's finance in order in a very difficult economic time.

Pam is an outstanding public servant who carries herself with a high degree of integrity. We could use more pols like her.

I said she did nothing in her first term, which is true...the 3-block streetcar extension is just now under construction, the riverwalk is not finished (even though she said it would be done by the Super Bowl in 2/2009), and a much-scaled-down art museum (thanks in part to her refusal to fund it fully) just opened.

btw, I'm not saying Peyton is better than Iorio (after all I am a Democrat)....but using your logic, Peyton presided over opening of the new baseball stadium, arena, and library in the dowtown area....and the new courthoue is under construction.

[tufsu1]

Has City of Tampa used eminent domain at all for Encore?

I am not sure if they have used it for Encore, but historically the city shies away from using eminent domain. They attempt to attract private investors to front the bill. The St. Pete Times Forum on the river is a prime example of that philosophy.

no...because the site was a former public houing complex (torn down in 2007).

as to the SP Times Forum, which private investors built the arena?

[thelakelander]

I wonder how Tampa would have handle the Landing situation? I visit Tampa quite often and sure they have set backs, but there not do to poor vision or lack there of, unwise spending, and just plain being dumb.

A gigantic parking garage was constructed that serves the aquarium and Channelside.  Shoppers at Channelside also can get their parking validated.

A parking garage is conveniently located opposite Channelside Bay Plaza. This garage now operates with a new coin chip system. Take your coin chip to any Channelside Bay Plaza business to receive parking discounts with any purchase. For additional information call 813-905-5072. On site Valet services are also available daily after 4PM.

http://www.channelsidebayplaza.com/parking.html



Btw, Channelside is anchored by Splitsville Luxury Lanes & Dinner Lounge and Channelside Cinemas & IMAX.  Either type of entertainment anchor would be a huge boost for a struggling retail center like the Landing.

[Jaxson]

Thank you, tufsu1, for the clarification.  I was afraid that you were sticking up for Mayor Peyton at a time when he is busy sticking it to us!  I loved visiting Tampa when I was there - I took the train to their Tampa Union Station and took a quick taxi ride to my hotel for less than $15.  I would like to see a railfan try doing something similar in Jax!