Enhancing the Tourist Experience of Jax - Use the River!!

[rjp2008]

Long ago, Jax was well known for it's fabulous river cruises. People would come from all over to cruise the St. Johns on vacation. Nowadays, private boats and docks line both shores of the river. But what can travelers and those without boats do to enjoy it?

Do you realize that some of Jax's most incredible tourist sites are accessible and right by the river? They are:

1.Riverside Arts Market and Cummer Gardens
2.Landing
3.Wharfside
4.Shipyards/Kids Kampus
5.Jacksonville University
6.The Zoo
7.Jax Arboretum (would need access created)
8.Fort Caroline
9.Mayport Future Cruise Terminal/Future Nuclear Carrier

Families going south on 95 or north would see signs to take the tour. Southsiders could pick up the boat at the Garden or Ft Caroline to go downtownl.


Now imagine if you could take that tour on a cool HOVERCRAFT! Give it a cool name like River Run or something. Local restaurants can pay to cross market and give discounts to families who visit several stops.

[simms3]

I think we have a bias to think all of these are great "tourist" sites because we want them all to be.  If I was a tourist (probably passing through Jax to get to St. Augustine, Orlando, or Miami) I would be enticed by the Cummer, the Landing, the Zoo, and Fort Caroline IF the marketing were done properly.  The problem is that driving from one place to the next along our long, wide, and often wake free zone river takes a long time in and of itself and most of these places are miles and miles apart, especially by river.  I would concentrate on just making the urban core areas more accessible by boat and more heavily advertised, and just keep on running and expanding River Taxi service.

For accessing the Zoo or Fort Caroline by riverfront, I would keep on advertising that to Jax residents or those nearby in coastal FL and GA who like to explore by boat (and those passing by along the intracoastal).  As for Mayport, there is not near enough there right now to entice enough tourists to visit to make it feasible for a company to run river tour type stuff.  Once we get the new LCS fleet and new aircraft carrier, waterfront development, and hopefully a new and awesome cruise terminal, it would make sense to do a riverboat tour of the area from the Jetties to Fort Caroline (which is actually not too far from there by river) and Sisters Creek to Fort George.

Finally, I think hovercraft are pretty expensive.  That would mean that an investor would have to have a pretty solid guarantee/idea that he will make that initial money back in a reasonable time, meaning there has to be enough demand and enough tourists, and the whole thing has to be done exactly right with the right marketing, the right routes, the right timing, the right pricing, etc, and there is not a lot of precedence with similar tourist programs, so it would be quite difficult.

I like the thinking, though.

[Seraphs]

If done properly it could be a great idea.  How about  an amphibious vehicle of sorts, similar to the ones Boston and San Diego has.  I truly think it could work.

[CS Foltz]

Wasn't there an accident, not too long ago, involving amphibious vehicle that tangled with a barge......I want to say in the North East somewhere? Not too enthusiastic about half trained helmpersons! It is an art to control anything on the water safely even at low speeds!

[ChriswUfGator]

I think we have a bias to think all of these are great "tourist" sites because we want them all to be.  If I was a tourist (probably passing through Jax to get to St. Augustine, Orlando, or Miami) I would be enticed by the Cummer, the Landing, the Zoo, and Fort Caroline IF the marketing were done properly.  The problem is that driving from one place to the next along our long, wide, and often wake free zone river takes a long time in and of itself and most of these places are miles and miles apart, especially by river.  I would concentrate on just making the urban core areas more accessible by boat and more heavily advertised, and just keep on running and expanding River Taxi service.

For accessing the Zoo or Fort Caroline by riverfront, I would keep on advertising that to Jax residents or those nearby in coastal FL and GA who like to explore by boat (and those passing by along the intracoastal).  As for Mayport, there is not near enough there right now to entice enough tourists to visit to make it feasible for a company to run river tour type stuff.  Once we get the new LCS fleet and new aircraft carrier, waterfront development, and hopefully a new and awesome cruise terminal, it would make sense to do a riverboat tour of the area from the Jetties to Fort Caroline (which is actually not too far from there by river) and Sisters Creek to Fort George.

Finally, I think hovercraft are pretty expensive.  That would mean that an investor would have to have a pretty solid guarantee/idea that he will make that initial money back in a reasonable time, meaning there has to be enough demand and enough tourists, and the whole thing has to be done exactly right with the right marketing, the right routes, the right timing, the right pricing, etc, and there is not a lot of precedence with similar tourist programs, so it would be quite difficult.

I like the thinking, though.

I agree with you RE the no wake zones.

They're ridiculous, and extend from the I-95 bridge through all of downtown. It takes a half hour just to get through downtown, especially if the tide is against you, and double-especially if the sherriff's boat or marine patrol is lurking around to give you a ticket.

The whole thing is made even more ridiculous by the fact that there are giant cement seawalls covering every inch of both sides of the river in this location, not much traffic, and high-rise bridges that don't generally require waiting (except for some big sailboats need to raise the acosta bridge). In short, no reason for no-wake. There aren't many manatees hanging around in a 10kt current either. Not sure why that area is no-wake other than the River City Marina. Even then the zones could be shrunk significantly.

[Noone]

There is an opportunity right now to Enhance the Tourist Experience of Jax by using our St. Johns River our American Heritage River and the legislation is 2010-604 and is pending a vote by our 19 members of the city council.

The legislation gives The Failed Shipyards/Landmar property back to the people of Jacksonville. The opportunity to enhance the tourist experience can be accomplished by adding an amendment to the legislation that would keep the 680' Promised Public Pier separate from the other 44 acres.

Mayor Peyton is opposed to doing this. I think that it is a mistake and that is why this issue should be a city wide city council and mayoral campaign issue.

Cindy Laquidara and Steve Rohan have both indicated that an amendment can be attached to the current legislation that would keep the 680' Promised Public Pier separate from the 44 acres. The Pier is the longest one next to Berkman Plaza.

So if the administration won't ask for the amendment then should the council? Id say yes.

In my opinion an Enhanced Tourist Experience would be catapulted in Downtown Jacksonville if this Promised Public Pier were to open immediately.

Call your favorite councilperson and ask them if they will sponsor an amendment. The legislation is pending before the city council right now.

[rjp2008]

What do you mean back to the people of Jacksonville? Does that mean it can't be sold? Does that mean the council will be responsible for building a park there? Based on their incompetance in the past, I don't know if I wouldn't rather have a good private venture take a shot at developing it as a park/entertainment venue.

[Seraphs]

Wasn't there an accident, not too long ago, involving amphibious vehicle that tangled with a barge......I want to say in the North East somewhere? Not too enthusiastic about half trained helmpersons! It is an art to control anything on the water safely even at low speeds!

Yes there was an accident involving an amphibious vehicle, I think Delaware.  But the fact that it was amphibious had nothing to do with it I'm sure.  An accident is an accident.

[CS Foltz]

Thanks Seraphs.............big difference between a real boat and an amphibious vehicle! The vehicle is extremely slow and not really quick to respond to rudder and throttle inputs! You want to keep away from tugboats also even in a boat, but thats just me!

[CS Foltz]

Chris.............your forgetting that violation of "No Wake Zones" result in money in City and State coffers! Coast Guard can also violate and thats Federal! Either way, someones going to pay money because wake zone violations allow your vessel to be boarded and inspected and that can be expensive!

[Noone]

What do you mean back to the people of Jacksonville? Does that mean it can't be sold? Does that mean the council will be responsible for building a park there? Based on their incompetance in the past, I don't know if I wouldn't rather have a good private venture take a shot at developing it as a park/entertainment venue.

I'm with you  100% when you say you would rather have a good private venture take a shot. I'm saying that you can make that happen immediately by the city council attaching an amendment to 2010-604 that would make the 680' Promised Public Pier separate from the 44 acres.

If the future plan for the 44 acre is a private entertainment venture that is OK. If it is sold that is OK.  We are getting this property back. Not skill just dumb luck. Keep the Pier separate. The vibrancy that can occur is if this structure is allowed to create its own rules for those private entrepanuers who want the freedom to create a need that can be satisfied with different businesses. Access can be expanded to hours of operation.  The use of containers at this time with the opening of the Panama Canal can be an added benefit.

Who is your council representative?

[rjp2008]

Henry Flagler and Donald Trump I dont live in Jax yet.

[ChriswUfGator]

Chris.............your forgetting that violation of "No Wake Zones" result in money in City and State coffers! Coast Guard can also violate and thats Federal! Either way, someones going to pay money because wake zone violations allow your vessel to be boarded and inspected and that can be expensive!

Ha you got that right.

I got 9 safety tickets on one stop from this a$$hole marine patrol. He was citing me for everything under the sun, and then he got to the expired fire extinguisher and I blurted out "you idiot, it's got a full halon system, I don't even have to have a fire extinguisher." He responded "well you DO have one, and it's expired." I said "So if I throw it overboard right now, you can't give me a ticket?" with the thing in my hand. His response: "No, then I'll cite you for littering."

All about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Noone]

Anyone going to see the Blue Angels or Downtown to see the Navy ships on the northbank? Hope to do both.

Use the River. Just wanted to take this opportunity that in my opinion this upcoming city council and mayoral campaign election is HUGE if Public Access and Economic opportunity will be expanded within our Downtown Jacksonville Overlay Zoning District 2003-627.

If you happen to be Downtown just think of Jacksonville not only being a military town but imagine if we maketed our city as a serious player for international shipping by using retrofitted containers on our Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier.

The discussion needs to happen now on how we are going to "USE THE RIVER!!!!"

[simms3]

Ha you got that right.

I got 9 safety tickets on one stop from this a$$hole marine patrol. He was citing me for everything under the sun, and then he got to the expired fire extinguisher and I blurted out "you idiot, it's got a full halon system, I don't even have to have a fire extinguisher." He responded "well you DO have one, and it's expired." I said "So if I throw it overboard right now, you can't give me a ticket?" with the thing in my hand. His response: "No, then I'll cite you for littering."

All about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

+1,000,000 and land cops have gotten the same way.  Let's bust the good people who rarely ever break any sort of draconian violation because we know we can suck the money out of them and they'll be easier victims than the real criminals.  I will say I would love to see more of those redneck cigarette boat groups and (no offense if you have one) those Sea Ray types go down.  I have found that people who drive ugly boats or super fast boats often either a) have no courtesy and/or b) drive as if they aren't licensed and don't know the rules of the channel.

I do think it should be no wake in between the FEC bridge and 50 ft. from the Main St (plus I enjoy slowing down through downtown), but no wake all the way to the Hart is retarded.  The MP has really cracked down on people in the Ortega River because people anchored illegally up and down the river (I'm talking all those decrepit sailboats) complain.  How about the MP do something about all the illegal sailboats!!!!!!

And thank God the manatee scare is over.  Remember a few years ago (like 6-10) the environmentalists were trying to scare the bejesus out of people by making it seem like there was one manatee left and an a**hole boater was most likely going to run over it?  After real studies were done it was found that the boaters weren't even close to the largest reason why manatees weren't as frequently in the St. Johns and that there were still plenty of them!  I'm all for protecting the little fellows in reasonable ways, and that means no wake when closer to shores/shallow waters and cleaning up our river, not doing away with boating/taking advantage of our beautiful God given river.  Oh and I have personally seen crab pots stuck on manatees, maybe that's more of a problem??  It would also help if we had warmer winters/were closer to the Gulf Stream.  They can't really even survive in our colder waters for half the year anyway.