What we do have and don't promote/celebrate....

[Jason]

Just thought I would drum up some discussion on what everyone here see that we DO HAVE and don't fully celebrate or promote in Northeast Florida.


Some things that come to mind are:

- Our film history (past and present)
- Our park system
- Golf heritage
- Maritime History
- The Beaches!
- Misical History

... the list goes on.

[riverkeepered]

We would strive to be the "Green City of the South."  We have the largest park system in the country.  We have one of the greatest rivers in the world flowing through the middle of our city.  Significant economic opportunities exist to strengthen and diversify our local economy by attracting renewable energy companies and green technologies and promoting eco-tourism.  In order to be more green, we must do a better job of developing a mass transit system, promoting energy efficiency and sustainable building practices, enhancing our park system and providing better access to the outdoors, and cleaning up our river.   We also need to do more to celebrate the ecology, culture, and rich history associated with our spectacular river.   In addition, we could certainly use a dedicated environmental writer at the local daily newspaper, more avenues for  prominent environmental discussion group on the Forum, and a more environmentally-progressive City Council.   

[spidey]

Riverkeepered:  We would strive to be the "Green City of the South." 

Aren't we already? What with the nice "green" algae blooms in the river;  All the "green" money that the developers are making;  And all the nice "green" St. Augustine lawns that are overwatered.   

Just kidding, Riverkeepered.  I agree with your post.  We have alot of great environmental assets here in Jax that we should focus on not only maintaining, but improving.  And I am definitely for anything that will improve the reporting in the TU, including the addition of an environmental reporter to their staff.

[thelakelander]

We have a real urban farmer's market on Beaver Street.  Its the only one open seven days a week in the state.   With better promotion, it could help be the epicenter of a wholesale market/food distribution district, similar to popular ones in older major metropolitan areas.

[copperfiend]

Originally posted this in the wrong thread:

Do most people in Jacksonville realize that one of the best guitarists in the world lives here? And he is only in his late 20's.

[copperfiend]

I am referring to Derek Trucks. Rolling Stone had an article on him a few months back as part of their New Guitar Gods issue. He was on the cover with John Mayer and John Fruschante(SP?) of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

[Ocklawaha]

Photo, National Softball Hall of Fame field in Oklahoma City, Includes Museum, studios, hotel etc.

National Negro League, (baseball) founding City... What a place for a Hall of Fame, museum and even a "re-enactor team" made up of players-of-color from around the pros. Imagine, "Todays game, The Jacksonvile Red Caps -vs- The New York Yankee's..." Hell, who would need a pro team with THAT!???


A painting of not what we "could" have, this is what we "SHOULD" have!

Trolleys and rail? We are the gateway City because of the Railroads, we have the largest station South of Washtington DC, We HAD the largest Trolley system in the State, we have the only railroad HQ's (2) in Florida, yet we do nothing??? There are an estimated 5 million railroad buff's in the USA, even more World Wide, If needs be, tie the "S" line North from TC to Fernandina to a restored 1950's streamliner, and run it as a hybrid Museum ride-commuter train! Then there is that huge depot JTA doesn't plan to use? We are kidding right? This one is in the bag, all we need to do is ACT!


The Rock Music Hall of Fame, Why don't we have our own?

Southern Fried Music? Black Oak Arkansas, is said to have started the Southern Rock Movement, before them were the R&B and Soul artisits. We have done NOTHING, perhaps our city only likes the taste of Vanilla?



Hogan's Creek or San Antonio? Guess? Okay, it is Texas, but why not Jacksonville?

Hogan's Creek between Arlington Expressway/State/Union Streets and the River is beging to look like Oklahoma Citys bricktown Canal, or San Antonio Riverwalk... Wake up JAX, Westin, Hard Rock, Bass Pro, and many others would be lined up at our door!

Ocklawaha

[Mrite]

I have often wondered why we don't have a Hard Rock Cafe. We have a Hooters, Dave & Busters, and a <hangs head> Club Paris, but NO HARD ROCK!?! 

The beach has Freebird Live. We need something similar. Heck, I'd settle for a House of Blues 

[Jason]

With the apparent changes to the downtown sign ordinance might allow a buisness like Hard Rock Cafe to come in and liven things up a bit.

[gatorback]

I think a Jumbotron at the landing would be a great attraction.  How many cities own jumbotrons?



It could be 3 sided to see from downtown, I95 North and South bound, and from north on the river.

[thelakelander]

Adding jumbotrons in downtown public spaces have been a pretty popular feature recently.  Cincinnati just added one in it's historic Fountain Square.  The Landing recently added a screen, but I don't know how large it is.

Just thinking about it, I think the city should really go back and look at Sleiman's plan to open the courtyard up to Laura Street.  Doing such, along with a slight renovation of that space would easily turn it into a pretty impressive public space that could feed growth into downtown along the Laura Street corridor.

[Ocklawaha]

How cool would it be to create a spray curtain from under the lip East side of the New Acosta Bridge?
No, not in the channel, but on each side have curtains of water. They don't have to be thick, could even be a mist.
The water could recycle right out of the river.

Projection on waterfalls or screens is incredible to see. Movies, colors, 4Th of July, pictures, ANYTHING can be thrown into the screen of water. Jumbotron? How about the Worlds first major downtown with a "Watertron"?

For those who have never seen this effect, that's Niagra Falls at the top... They also do Peanuts cartoons!


Ocklawaha

[Lunican]

haha yeah right. They can't even get Friendship Fountain working.

[Charles Hunter]

If I remember correctly, those red pipes on the Southbank Riverwalk, near the Main Street Bridge, used to spray a water mist.  Don't know if they still do, but I'm betting not.

[Jason]

They don't spray mist they just squirt continuous streams.