City spends $400,000 on study to move fair from downtown

[thelakelander]

The digging, engineering and site work near the Jacksonville Equestrian Center is what the city is banking on as the first phase of moving the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair away from downtown.

But first the city and fair â€" who are working against a 2014 deadline â€" need to make sure the move will work. That’s what a city-funded $400,000 engineering study that should be started in coming weeks will eventually determine.

A company managed by former city chief administrative officer Sam Mousa, JBC Planning and Engineering, will provide the city with estimates of how much it would cost to install utilities and prepare the land, as well as which parts of the 195-acre parcel would be best for the fair.

If it can be a go, the two sides will try to hammer out the final business details, including a land swap, figuring out who would pay for the cost of developing of the land and whether the fair board would take over operations of the equestrian center.

full story: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-09-15/story/jacksonville-pays-400000-study-relocating-fair

[thelakelander]

I'm not a fan.  Imo, moving a major player out of downtown and the urban core because we can't find a solution to a once a decade parking congestion problem is weak and does a disservice to downtown and the surrounding community.

Maybe it's just me but I'd leave the fair right where it is and invest money on extending fixed mass transit (streetcar, skyway, whatever) to the Sports District.  Kill two birds with one stone by providing an alternative option to driving/parking a car in the Sports District and encourage TOD at the same time.

[JeffreyS]

It is amazing how many times this city will make you bang your head against the wall.

[I-10east]

I don't have any problem with this. IMO the fair isn't that much of a big deal anymore. They took away the best ride years ago (Extasy). Hell, atleast the Equestrian Center will have something there for a change. I'm quite sure that many urban-holics will disagree with me; This is like the apocalypse for them.

[JeffreyS]

It is now the Callahan fair. I hope it is a disaster and fails miserably. I usually do not wish for our city to fail even in matters where I would have chosen something different.  I just want my fair downtown.

[fieldafm]

I know I might be in the minority here... but Im inclined to be in favor of moving the Fairgrounds out to the Equestrian Center.  Certain (non-fair)events that run at the Fairgrounds would match up well with the facilities at the Equestrian Center, and events that wouldn't could be held at MetroPark.  Lord knows that venue needs more events.  Heck, the Equestrian Center needs more events too!

Most fairs around the state are not held in the urban core.  Downtown business really don't see increased business during the Fair's two weeks.  It's not like existing DT businesses will be losing money if the relocation happens.

BTW, the timing of the Fair was a CLEAR issue in the last Fla/Ga contract negotiations.

[uptowngirl]

Pure unadulterated Bullshit! How many ways can the city screw the tax payers, downtown, and the city as a whole over? Please name one city that thrives on their urban neighborhoods alone?

[JeffreyS]

It is now the Clay county fair.

[thelakelander]

I know I might be in the minority here... but Im inclined to be in favor of moving the Fairgrounds out to the Equestrian Center.  Certain (non-fair)events that run at the Fairgrounds would match up well with the facilities at the Equestrian Center, and events that wouldn't could be held at MetroPark.  Lord knows that venue needs more events.  Heck, the Equestrian Center needs more events too!

Most fairs around the state are not held in the urban core.  Downtown business really don't see increased business during the Fair's two weeks.  It's not like existing DT businesses will be losing money if the relocation happens.

BTW, the timing of the Fair was a CLEAR issue in the last Fla/Ga contract negotiations.

I thought the Equestrian Center was a bad idea when it was originally built so I'm not suprised about a concept that tries to save this sinking ship at the potential expense of struggling inner city neighborhood.  The planner in me desires to look for a solution that leaves the facility in its current location and solves the occassional Sports District parking situation while utilizing the fairgrounds property to help anchor the Eastside, Sports District and Philip Randolph Blvd.  Does anyone know of successful urban fairgrounds remaining in the United States?  I'm interested to see their layout and location compared to our facility.

[I-10east]

Pure unadulterated Bullshit!

Yup, that's what the fair is.....No name country bands, boring dog shows, smelly livestock, run of the mill rides, the same old cheesy "dunk the clown" type games, outrageous prices, typical overpriced food, never adding any new rides, what's there to miss? The fair's attendance continued to spiral downward from the glory 'Midnight Madness' days. I agree with everything what Field said. People are saying the typical "Anything that move outta DT is bad crap" Big deal!

[thelakelander]

I'm more Eastside focused than downtown. I wonder what happens once the fairgrounds move? Permanent suface parking?

[JeffreyS]

The equestrian center is functioning well. I have been to several horse related events there and the venue is great. I just do not want our fair to be the same rural event as the Palatka fair.

[uptowngirl]

The fair may be boring to grown adults, but I go with children in the neighborhood and it is still a wonderful event for them. move that out to clay county and there are a LOT of children that are not going to be able to partake of the fun. DT should not just be about bars and adult fun.

[fieldafm]

I'm more Eastside focused than downtown.

How exactly is the fairgrounds helping the neighborhood North of the Matthews Bridge ramp now?

move that out to clay county and there are a LOT of children that are not going to be able to partake of the fun.

The Equestrian Center is not in Clay County.

[thelakelander]

How is it hurting the neighborhood, which is an underpass walk away?  Can such an asset be better utilized to improve the environment around it? That's where my mind is at.