I had the greatest time tonight as CPAC's newest member representing Preservation SOS.
Ron Barton impressed me so much! I listened to his updates, his reponses to questions, and his idea about downtown parks and was amazed. I believe if he had his way, downtown would resemble a vibrant urban city rather than its present Land of the Lost.
Dr. Gaffney told stories about his adventures in barnstorming local housing projects, making threats and taking names with JSO on one hand and the fire marshall on the other. He has little tolerance for folks living in substandard housing conditions. Sounds like he found some money for the landlords to fix up the places, but at that pivotal plot moment my phone gave me a text and I was distracted.
Doug Vanderlaan, chair of the Urban Core CPAC, kept the meeting moving, was gracious and attentive as always, knew when to prompt and when to close a discussion. (I think he ought to give lessons to HPC ;D).
I loved being a part of it all and am grateful to Pat LaMountain (chair of membership) for seeking Preservation SOS and inviting us to be a part of it all.
What was his idea about downtown parks?
When we talked about Monroe Street and how is has been affected by the new courthouse, he brought up the idea of closing the street and making it a park-like setting.
Of course, Hemming Plaza was brought up as a reason not to add another park dowtown and he replied "We can't plan parks defensively." And then he added "Do you remember what Hemming Plaza USED to look like?"
My feeling is that he is able to separate the vision from the social problem -- you don't get rid of a bench to solve the complex problem of proverty in the city's core.
Quote from: sheclown on February 08, 2011, 07:37:03 AM
My feeling is that he is able to separate the vision from the social problem -- you don't get rid of a bench to solve the complex problem of proverty in the city's core.
+1000
Was the CPAC in favor of the courthouse plaza or Monroe Street extension?
Lake, the CPAC did not vote on a new courthouse greenspace vs. reopening Monroe Street. The chairman suggested that members talk with their constituents to prepare for a vote at a future meeting. Funny, because they did vote against a resolution brought up by one member that would require the City - IF a plaza was created - to design it to "encourage strolling and discourage loitering."
Unfortunately, the member who authored the resolution didn't consider revising his proposed language even though the CPAC had earlier voted down identical language in connection with his suggestion that criteria for a proposed design contest intended to come up with stormwater management solutions for Hemming Plaza be revised.
His basic idea was good: instead of spending good money on a design contest that would lead to proposals that would likely never be implemented, revise the criteria to generate good ideas that might actually come to pass. The current criteria specifically says contestants should NOT propose changes to the use of the park. The suggestion was that the language be revised to require that the park be redesigned to (as above) "encourage strolling and discourage loitering." The member proposing the language was adamant that NO tables or benches be left in the park. The other members (and many in the audience, including me) felt that there was a compromise position - we need places for downtown workers and visitors to enjoy the outdoors, and appropriate outdoor dining and seating options should be available. He wouldn't budge, and both resolutions were denied.
I was less impressed with Ron Barton than were earlier posters, especially when he flatly dismissed the idea that Main Street should return to two way traffic. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't hear him propose anything new and different for downtown parks (other than repeating what he has already said about the plaza in front of the new courthouse). He simply described the changes that are already in process and focused on work at Metro Park and Friendship Fountain and on the Laura Street improvements.
I was glad to hear that JEA has a plan for folks who are struggling with their electric bill. You can spread the unexpectedly high bill over a couple of months if you have good credit with JEA and get on an installment plan.
I am afraid for all of those people who will have to choose electricity over food this month. Perhaps this will help.
Quote from: Miss Fixit on February 08, 2011, 09:44:00 AM
I was less impressed with Ron Barton than were earlier posters, especially when he flatly dismissed the idea that Main Street should return to two way traffic.
MIssFixIt...I was assuming that he is talking about taking one street at a time...starting with Laura Street and then moving on. If he flatly dismissed Main Street returning to two way traffic, this is a problem.
Right now, Main Street is, essentially, a dead end. If that is his position and the position of JEDC, perhaps I was prematurely impressed.
I mean, really, what does it say about a place when city buses won't even go down Main Street anymore?