Creating Synergy: History, The Landing or Metro Park?

[copperfiend]

When does Peyton move back to St Johns county?

[thelakelander]

Ennis:  Great article.  You made your case.  Only thing not explained is that the City is giving him $6 million not just $3.5 million. 

The parking validation is over 20 years.  However, if we throw that type of number out there, we should at least find what the real ROI is by including rent payments over the same period of time.

[Captain Zissou]

Ennis:  Great article.  You made your case.  Only thing not explained is that the City is giving him $6 million not just $3.5 million. 

The parking validation is over 20 years.  However, if we throw that type of number out there, we should at least find what the real ROI is by including rent payments over the same period of time.

Lets assume 80 years on the remainder of the lease (it's more than that, a 99 year lease starting in '03 if memory serves).  $3,500,000 down for the parking garage, $1,000,000 a year in return from the Landing.  That equates to an ROI of 28.57%

If the numbers are different, let me know and I'll run it again.

[Bike Jax]

When does Peyton move back to St Johns county?

He Moved?

Ennis: Excellant article, unfortunately the city will not follow the suggestions outlined here. There is entirely to much reason and common sense for our city to comprehend.

[Miss Fixit]

Ennis, you're my hero.  Great article, and the map you posted - showing how far removed Metro Park is from downtown - makes a big impression.

Kids Kampus is, IMHO, one of the City's more bizarre money wasters.

[finehoe]

A renewed, revived Laura Street corridor including the Landing is far superior to a revived Metro Park.  The only reasons I can come up with are 1) the bad blood between Peyton and Sleiman or 2) the Metro park job would result in different contracts which benefit people that the mayor favors. 

I don't want to simply buy into the cynical 'all politicians are lining their pockets' brainwash.  I really don't, but other than those two choices, what else could it be?  If it is either one of those two, neither puts the mayor is a positve light.

That's the question that should always be asked in these type situations:  Who will benefit? The answer to that will tell you why one project/action is favored over another.

[vicupstate]

MetroJax should email all 19 council members and ask them how they intend to vote, and if they would vote to override Peyton's veto, if it comes to that.   

While you are at it, ask the mayoral candidates what they would do.  Even though it will be signed or vetoed long before they take office, it still gives insight to their mindset and priorities.     

[Jaxson]

What is it with these so-called experts who run our city [into the ground?].  They run for office under the pretense that only they know how a city should be operated.  Instead, we see these same people squandering our tax dollars on stop-gap measures that perpetuate our problems.  This happens all the while they maintain their club-like atmosphere in City Hall.  Green Room cocktails, anyone?

[Coolyfett]

interesting

[Mattius92]

Sorry Peyton but Metro Park isn't the most important thing in this city.

Spending $8 million on the landing would benefit more poeple in a few weeks then met park will do in a year.

[If_I_Loved_you]

(Chamblins, The Downtown Library, Quizno's, MOCA, Blue Boy Sandwiches, and just about everything else CLOSED.)
Without the people Downtown Jacksonville will be forever a Ghost Town after 5pm. I get why the city is trying to tie the Landing, Laura, and city hall together. Kind of like the Wizard Of Oz Golden Road.

[devlinmann]

(Chamblins, The Downtown Library, Quizno's, MOCA, Blue Boy Sandwiches, and just about everything else CLOSED.)
Without the people Downtown Jacksonville will be forever a Ghost Town after 5pm. I get why the city is trying to tie the Landing, Laura, and city hall together. Kind of like the Wizard Of Oz Golden Road.

Activation of certain high profile historic structures may solve that issue and give these businesses a reason to stay open longer....

[thelakelander]

I agree.  Hopefully it doesn't become an either or issue.  Activitation of certain high profile historic structures along with squeezing better utilization out of existing destinations will give businesses a reason to stay open longer and encourage more to join the party.  This would be the result of that ball of synergy that has avoided downtown to this date.

[urbaknight]

If they spend that money on met park instead of putting it where it really needs to be, we should vote out those who voted set downtown further back out of office, and as further punishment, we could campaign to boycott gate gas stations, let the mayor feel it for himself directly.

[Keith-N-Jax]

That wouldnt get us anywhere, besides hurting the people who work at gate.