Can Downtown Survive?

[Ocklawaha]

actually I have even used my car to go places downtown (especially when it is raining)...but that's usually at night (also when you've seen me in Sprinfield and Riverside) when the meters aren't running.

btw...I fully endorse modernzing our meters...and I'm even willing to remove the meters on certain streets/blocks...but there still needs to be enforceable time limits....which wouldn't solve the problem of getting ticketed.

AMBASSADORS? Bet y'all thought I was joking! Why not Jacksonville?

Changing the old meters for new would be like putting Spandex on the Parking Control Officers... Futuristic wrapping on the same old shit.

1. Get rid of the meters
2. Go to time enforced parking*
3. Adjust the monthly fees to compensate for the lost meter revenue.
4. Offer Corporations the perk of building or locating downtown WITHOUT parking requirements.
5. Compensate consumers and corporations with transit pass packages far below the market rate of leased parking space rent.

* Turn every damn last one of the parking enforcement officers into "Downtown Ambassadors" and institute the timed parking enforcement on Jacksonville MSA residents only... First time offense visitors receive a "Welcome Warning" that explains how the revenue is generated off of parking offenses but since they are visiting "Yadda Yadda" and coupons that can be redeemed at area restaurants.  This will leave ANY visiting out of town executives or would-be residents with a sweet taste for Jacksonville should they violate our parking rules.

OCKLAWAHA

[Jerry Moran]

Nice post, Okw.  Downtown Jacksonville is in so pitiful a state, that it is necessary that I quote myself from June 6:

I’ve changed my mind about the need for parking meters downtown.  They’re not needed, and should be replaced with a blanket 2 hour free parking limit throughout downtown.  The city has the technology to enforce that limit already in place.  The few remaining downtown merchants will also help by reporting overtime vehicles. Have a “three strikes rule” that entails issuing 3 warning per year for overtime offenses, followed by $25 citations.  Spell the rules out on the warnings. This will discourage downtowners and office workers from parking long term on the street, and relieve the occasional visitor from fear of fines.

The two top concerns my customers have when visiting downtown is getting mugged, and having their car ticketed or towed.  The parking meters, though not enforced after 5 PM (officially 6 PM) only contribute to visitors’ angst.  My business operates after 5 PM, and all the meters do is act as spooky tombstones in a creepy cemetery.  Visitors are already nervous about visiting downtown, and the meters reinforce that apprehension.   Removing the meters would be akin to planting neat rows of flowers across the lawn.  A little less stressful, Huh?  Isn’t that what Downtown needs: a little less stress?

San Marco has the right idea.  Last week I had to visit my broker, Scottrade, that just moved to San Marco from Downtown.  Scottrade was formerly located at street level on Laura between Bay and Forsyth.  It was a pleasure to do business in San Marco.  I found a parking space right away, and there were no parking meters to pay.  I crossed the street, did my business at Scottrade, and left  in less than 10 minutes.  There are a lot of little 10 minute transactions that do not happen downtown because of the parking meters, and because the parking meters are being fed all day by office workers.

I asked the manager of Scottrade why they had moved to San Marco, after 7 or so years downtown.  I remember when they opened downtown and how excited I was about having them nearby.  The manager told me that doing business was difficult in downtown, and that his customers complained about how inconvenient it was to visit the downtown office.  Parking was a major concern, followed by the preponderance of vagrants and general seediness of the area.  He stated that parking in San Marco has not been an issue for his customers.

I also asked the manager if, when downtown, Scottrade had any contact with the downtown community, specifically DVI.  He said no, nothing, never met DVI.  On the other hand, San Marco rolled out the red carpet, and Scottrade was showered with attention by the various community organizations that operate there (I can’t remember which ones).

So, let’s get rid of the downtown meters and start enforced 2 hour free parking.  I guess DVI will have to find something else to adhere their stickers to.

The Peyton Administration has not a clue as to what goes on in Downtown Jacksonville, nor does it apparently care to act.  Downtown's only hope is for a dynamic new mayoral administration.  Over the next few months, lets attend the mayoral candidates rallies and meeting, and pin them down on what they plan to do to remedy the miasma hanging over Downtown Jacksonville.  The elimination of parking meters is a good place to start.

[CS Foltz]

Jerry.............I agree! DVI has no clue, other than using data that was generated 30 years ago just rehashed, and the current administration has no plans other than spending money they don't have! The Boy Prince does not have the slight idea about much of anything.........other than Fee's and increasing taxes!

[tufsu1]

CS...do you even know what DVI is?

not that Jerry is a big fan of DVI, but he's talking about the Mayor and the City...they are not the same entity.

[Captain Zissou]

well there is the Skyline Restuarant in the BOA tower...they are open for lunch M-F nd happy hour Thhur & Fri...I encourage evryone to patronize it.

Unless they've changed it;  Happy hour used to be Wednesday and Friday, but they cut the Friday hours due to lack of business.  When was the last time you went tufsu?? Have they changed it recently?? I hope so.

[Bativac]

well there is the Skyline Restuarant in the BOA tower...they are open for lunch M-F nd happy hour Thhur & Fri...I encourage evryone to patronize it.

Unless they've changed it;  Happy hour used to be Wednesday and Friday, but they cut the Friday hours due to lack of business.  When was the last time you went tufsu?? Have they changed it recently?? I hope so.

I was in there 2 or 3 weeks ago and Happy Hour was still advertised as being on Wednesdays and Fridays.

On an unrelated note, I'm sure this has been mentioned here before, but what is the deal with the giant stickers placed in odd locations downtown? What exactly are they supposed to accomplish? Are they permanent?

[fieldafm]

Happy Hour at Skyline has been changed to Wednesday and Thursday.  I found that out by default sitting in the lobby last Friday.  That's now two out of three times I have been that they were closed when they were advertised to be open.

Downtown gets more frustrating by the day!

[tufsu1]

yes...I meant to type Wed-Thiur...thanks field!

[tufsu1]

On an unrelated note, I'm sure this has been mentioned here before, but what is the deal with the giant stickers placed in odd locations downtown? What exactly are they supposed to accomplish? Are they permanent?

they are a quirky marketing gimmick done by DVI that I think is pretty clever....they are not permanent and were expected to last about 3 months....its been over 6 and most are still faring quite well.

[Ethylene]

well there is the Skyline Restuarant in the BOA tower...they are open for lunch M-F nd happy hour Thhur & Fri...I encourage evryone to patronize it.

Happy Hours at the Skyline Restaurant in the BofA tower are now only Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30PM unless there's a private function!

If HH is cancelled it's always posted on their website:

http://www.aramarkcafe.com/layouts/classic_new/locationhome.aspx?locationid=3466&pageid=10&tmp=2010030317

[fieldafm]

well there is the Skyline Restuarant in the BOA tower...they are open for lunch M-F nd happy hour Thhur & Fri...I encourage evryone to patronize it.

Happy Hours at the Skyline Restaurant in the BofA tower are now only Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30PM unless there's a private function!

If HH is cancelled it's always posted on their website:

http://www.aramarkcafe.com/layouts/classic_new/locationhome.aspx?locationid=3466&pageid=10&tmp=2010030317

I went a few Wednesdays ago and arrived at 5:40 and the elevator was locked, so I asked the security guard what the deal was and they said they closed early due to lack of business. 

As much as I spout off about how cool the place is, it like the rest of downtown is getting me frustrated.

[Ethylene]

I don't blame you a bit, I've been frustrated by downtown countless ways and countless times too. I've also been to the BofA HH and it was practically desolate. They will not make it going alone. The view is spectacular but it's a stretch to call it Happy Hour! They must tie into the DVI promo and promote it as part of "The Core" and then commit to showing up! Unless they do that they aren't a true downtown destination! I think they are still just testing the waters so to speak.

[fieldafm]

Agreed, that could be a PHENOMENAL downtown destination.  River Club/University Club views for the average individual.

I took my dad there for lunch once who thought it was great... and I only took him there b/c he always talked so fondly of the old Embers above the Iveys/JEA building.  I took my sister who lives in Seattle up there on her last visit and she likened it to a less expensive and much quicker visit to the Space Needle.

A tiny ad in Folio is not going to get that place the attention it deserves.  I inquired once about rental rates, and it is CHEAP.  I almost couldnt believe it!