hello Jacksonville

[fieldafm]

There is a very easy solution for an aquarium in Jax. Use the money earmarked for the southbank riverwalk to add an aquarium addition to the MOSH. It is the perfect location, and with some improvements to MOSH (like the new Planetarium) we could have a unique attraction. jmo

I think a better solution would be to fix the Southbank Riverwalk's wooden planks which are in embarrasingly horrible disrepair(even Goldbood admits it was a dumb move to go with wood)... and promote our very own aquarium, the St Johns River.
Pleasure boating, dinner cruises, pleasure cruises, and eco-tourism is not promoted at all here... which is astonishing considering the tremendous natural resource we have(which is in need of some good TLC and attention), for free, in our very own city.

Besides, who wants to go to the hospital for a tetnus shot b/c they stepped on a rusty nail or huge splinter of wood walking to said MOSH aquarium addition?  That isn't a very tourist-friendly vision.

[CG7]

I agree the southbank riverwalk is not in great shape, but tourist didn't line up to walk down it when it was in good shape. If you have an attraction to bring people to the area the city could then fix the riverwlk later. You don't have to walk the riverwalk too get to the MOSh.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

bit off-topic here, but:  new planeterium?  seriously?  i hadn't heard about one, but i it would be awesome...i love the planetarium.

[fieldafm]

bit off-topic here, but:  new planeterium?  seriously?  i hadn't heard about one, but i it would be awesome...i love the planetarium.

They're replacing the actual projector/scope/thingamabob at MOSH

It was posted on here a few weeks ago.

I agree the southbank riverwalk is not in great shape, but tourist didn't line up to walk down it when it was in good shape. If you have an attraction to bring people to the area the city could then fix the riverwlk later. You don't have to walk the riverwalk too get to the MOSh.

Downtown won't be a one-trick pony.
Hell, last Saturday there were plenty of people downtown... you had a big car show at the Landing, a gun show at the Fairgrounds, a large political rally at Metro Park, a decent sized birthday party at Kids Kampus, and people at the Everbank Field for a Jaguars Booster Club sendoff and a kids playground event at the Pepsi Tailgate Cabannas sponosred by WOKV... and yet all of these events were isolated from each other.  There was nothing connecting these 'events' with the rest of downtown, and subsequently there was no foot traffic or synergy created from what I would estimate to be easily over 2000 people/visitors in the core b/c of these seperate events.

[CG7]

I definitely don't want downtown to be a one trick pony, but the original post asked why we don't have aa aquarium. I just posted what is the easiest solution to having an aquarium while also showing where the money could come from. I think with some effort what is already downtown could be very tourist friendly. Such as a ferris wheel on the river next to the Landing, along with 1 or 2 dark rides (built by Sally Industries of course) in some of the empty spaces in the Landing. I would love to have the dinner cruises and eco-tourism, aquarium, rides, shopping, ship museums etc. I just think the moey already earmarked for the riverwalk would be better suited to help jump start something bigger.

[fieldafm]

Im not picking on you when I ask this and mean no offense... but how many times in the last year have you been to the Jacksonville Zoo?  Or Marineland?  Or Adventure Landing at Jax Beach?  Or the carousel in St Augustine?

[RiversideLoki]

Cue the "But they're so farrrr awwwayyyy wwaaaaaaahhhh" crowd.

[CG7]

It isn't possible to offend me! I am being 100% honest I am a member at the zoo, I went to the Shipwreck Island with my son on Saturday, Sunday we played mini golf at the westside Adv. Landing (which is much closer to my house). I have only been to Marineland once since it reopened with the swim with the dolphin options. I kayak at least twice a month in Ft. George inlet. In other words if you are looking for someone who thinks there is a whole lot to do in Jax you found him. I just want moooore.

[Bativac]

I think rather than an aquarium, it would be great for the city to spend that kind of money (assuming it was something the city would pay for) to provide grants for small businesses wanting to open downtown. I'd love for there to be some kind of old-fashioned video arcade, or a comic shop, or something of that nature. Different types of cafes and restaurants. Something that exists at street level to provide the connectivity that someone mentioned.

My wife and I walk the Northbank Riverwalk once or twice a week. Sometimes we'll walk up and down Bay Street. There are a few bars/nightclubs at one end, but other than that, there just isn't much for a pedestrian to amble into and spend some money.

Create an atmosphere and you'll get people downtown - the last couple Art Walks I've been to have been absolutely crowded with a young, "hip" crowd. The only problem is aside from walking the streets, popping into some art showings and listening to street bands, there isn't much for them to do. I think a network of cafes and other interesting spots to pop into would create the atmosphere that would bring people downtown. And I don't think the city needs to spend millions of dollars on roundabouts or Metro Park improvements to do it.

[ricker]

I for one champion the idea of a clean river, a 'ShipYards' pier and OK OK an aquarium exhibit at MOSH.
but a CLEAN(er) river first.. .yes?

[CG7]

I second that!

[fieldafm]

In other words if you are looking for someone who thinks there is a whole lot to do in Jax you found him.

Truer words cannot be spoken.  Believe me, I wish I had MORE time b/c I always have to miss out on stuff I want to do in this city!

But, people just by and large don't come out in droves to experience the same type of venues an aquariam would attract. 
Groupon had a $7 zoo admission offer last week and MOSH is $5 all weekend(including Fridays)... and they still have ample capacity for more visitors if you know what I mean.

[Bativac]

In other words if you are looking for someone who thinks there is a whole lot to do in Jax you found him.

Truer words cannot be spoken.  Believe me, I wish I had MORE time b/c I always have to miss out on stuff I want to do in this city!

But, people just by and large don't come out in droves to experience the same type of venues an aquariam would attract. 
Groupon had a $7 zoo admission offer last week and MOSH is $5 all weekend(including Fridays)... and they still have ample capacity for more visitors if you know what I mean.

The Zoo is a great experience. MOSH on the other hand........ let's just say if it wasn't for the Planetarium I'd never set foot in the place.

A co-worker went for the first time with his wife and son. They wandered around for a couple hours and left.

If I had my choice I'd REALLY like for Jax to have a first-rate (or even second-rate) museum.

[ricker]

HELL-Ohhhh all.
Let's get involved with dirty hands to a)have a meet and greet and b)show CASH construction how easy it can be to clean up a waterline.
Anyone up for a McCreek-side clean out?
bring loppers, tough gloves, drinks and snacks for yourselves.
We can arrange the date with fdot and green it up clean it up.
They provide bags, vests and removal of debris!
Let's set a date!