http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid301.photobucket.com/albums/nn72/Vendingman/5d0c56d3.mp4
Ok I won't win any Cinematography awards I was just lucky to make it out alive. Did you see the little girl splash that water.
You are very brave to have done this - all alone, no less!
We should all post our own versions of the Hemming Plaza Death Walk of... Death. Seriously.
Wow!!! you're lucky you made it out alive!! :o
Its gotta go. Level it. Make another parking garage , or better yet... A McDonald's !
(kidding)
Did you have a helmet on?
Right from the start I knew I was in trouble with the one guy playing the piano and two more ready to shine shoes in the leather shop. I knew the truth of those horrors had to come out. Do I want my child raised in a city with a park and shade and people lunching right in the center of it.
was this today?
Great video, Jeffrey. You deserve the Congressional medal of honor for your bravery.
Pan slowly Jeffrey... when you think you are panning too slow... go even slower.
I'm never going down there again... too freeking scary... ;D
Too scary.
Did not watch :X
Quote from: stephendare on April 06, 2012, 03:12:07 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 06, 2012, 03:08:58 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on April 06, 2012, 03:05:52 PM
Did you have a helmet on?
Foolishly I did not.
The whole video was terrifying. That creepy sound of running water, the horrible birds with their eerie singing, the heart liquefying buzz of people talking to each other.......just too much.
I can't believe you ventured over to the dangerous NorthEast corner of the park.....that Hotdog incident was sooooo close. What if she had yelled over at you trying to sell one of those monstrosities?
What would you have done?
Foolish indeed.
+1!!!!!!!
That was awesome, it was almost....like taking a walk in a park....omg!
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 06, 2012, 04:01:57 PM
Pan slowly Jeffrey... when you think you are panning too slow... go even slower.
I'm never going down there again... too freeking scary... ;D
I was going for that saving private Ryan storming the beach effect :)
Or I need to improve my video skills for the " Main Street Pocket Park Life Walk of Life".
JefferyS, you sir, were the only criminal I witnessed in the video. Within the first minute, you jaywalked twice. Once across Monroe and then across Laura. I am forwarding this to JSO and I hope they drag your ass out by your heels and make an example of you and your blatant disregard for the law. ;)
Terrifying.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on April 06, 2012, 06:10:49 PM
JefferyS, you sir, were the only criminal I witnessed in the video. Within the first minute, you jaywalked twice. Once across Monroe and then across Laura. I am forwarding this to JSO and I hope they drag your ass out by your heels and make an example of you and your blatant disregard for the law. ;)
The funny part about that is the third and last time I crossed the street I had the light and the van making the right almost clipped me.
Why is the front of this thread missing? Moderator? Was there a video to see before Jeffery's 2:54pm post?
Did those Jacksonville Vision Thugs take it down? ;)
JeffreyS's post is the video. Just click on it and it should start.
Frightening, simply frightening. Clearly all those trees, fountains and tables simply have to go. We can't be having all those people in the park! JeffreyS, truly you should post a similar video about the wonderful pocket park around the corner on Main Street, since that seems to be the direction the City wants to go with Hemming. Then we can truly see how much more wonderful that would be...treeless, hot and void of all the awful proletariat! :-)
I'm With Debbie . It is beautiful and WE CAN'T have that! >:( It is also a historic place which makes it frightening beyond words, Even though it appears to be in great shape , it is structurally unsound and therefore a public nuisance.! :o It is a prime candidate for the wrecking ball. I cannot believe such an atrocity was allowed to be posted on to the site ;)
A McDonalds will look much better there! ::) Please refrain from horrifying segments such as this. 8)
That was the most horrifying video I have ever seen in my life. The park has to go.! ;D
Quote from: Ernest Street on April 06, 2012, 07:13:13 PM
Why is the front of this thread missing? Moderator? Was there a video to see before Jeffery's 2:54pm post?
Did those Jacksonville Vision Thugs take it down? ;)
Ernest... in the first post is a picture with an arrow in the upper left hand corner . Click on that arrow. Should start the video.
Someone save this footage and archive it, soon the park will be all dug up.
^+1,000,000
a video is worth a thousand words.
Well, that video tells the whole story. Where is the problem? It looks like a well used and safe area to me. Perhaps, another coffee cart or food vendor would be nice, and better care of the "sick" shade trees will help? I should have about ten of those videos taken on different dates and post them to your website and show them at the City Council.
What can we do to revive Hemming Plaza? Barring any special events there, like the Artwalk, I don't see any significant vibrancy there anytime soon. The only way is to continuously have special events there. All of the spaces already are occupied, with JMOMA, and the Main Library on one side, Snyder Church, Subway, and smaller shops on one side, the Federal Courthouse on one side, and City Hall on the other it's already filled in. There's no kinda significant retail there at all. As long as those buildings are around the Plaza (I don't have any issue with them there BTW because they are important) I don't see any magical pixie dust turning Hemming into a thriving centerpiece without back to back special events.
But isn't it already good despite what councilwoman Lee and Ron Littlepage want us to think.
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 08, 2012, 02:56:14 PM
But isn't it already good despite what councilwoman Lee and Ron Littlepage want us to think.
Aside from some rusty seating & tables that probably could use some repairs/be replaced, the park itself is fine, but I wouldn't say the clientele is always great. I was actually in the park earlier in the morning before this video (with my 3 year old daughter) & it was very pleasant, but there were some homeless people here & there that I myself don't mind, but others might be more intimidated by them.
But like some here have said, that's not the parks fault & is more or less the fault of these types of boneheaded decisions that this council is just itching to implement & the fault of making downtown a place that no one wants to be in on a regular basis. If there were more people, more events, food vendors, etc, this simply wouldn't be a problem. I mean, don't these idiots ever notice that during things like Art Walk, Jazz Fest, etc (you know, when people are actually downtown & enjoying themselves) that these issues are basically nonexistent? Do they even attend any functions in their own districts to see for themselves??
But they'll likely do this bombing out of the park anyway, because they can, and it'll be just another quick fix half-assed boondoggle in downtown Jax that leaves it in worse off shape.
I see what you guys are doing, and I'm not falling for it.
Sarcastic little ruse that it is.
Firstly Jeffrey, you clearly avoided all the ne'er do wells to fluff the park's image. I went there a couple years ago and someone asked me for money. I vehemently denied their request. (Not something the average suburbanite is capable of pulling off.)
Additionally, there is but one recourse to revitalize our urban core: Make it so unbearable that homeless people are unwilling to traverse the area. Then those of us who would rather not be burdened by the underclass will surely flock in and make it a paradise with our mere presence.
Homeless people HATE barren urban landscapes but affluent types simply rush in at the chance to enjoy a concrete desert, so long as it is devoid of street urchins.
The trees, the benches, the fountains.... MUST GO!
If we keep the park intact, THE TERRORISTS WIN!
That is kind of the problem here, isn't it.
Homeless people are still PEOPLE. If you make something designed so that can't be comfortable for one type of person, that kind of includes the rest of us as well doesn't it? Regardless of where we lay our head at night, we all put our pants on the same way, have the same physical structure, etc. What they're doing by taking out anything that makes it comfortable for homeless people is also making it untenable for people generally, which is really idiotic. Whatever the problems were before, they'll be worse now.
We have choices about the park. Some have suggested leaving it alone, making small changes and improvements, replacing diseased trees, thereby not spending much money (my preference by far). Some are suggesting more radical changes, removal of the trees and table/chair units, with increased spending.
And most people are talking about programming it with activities, adding some permanent vendors, encouraging locals to utilize the park, and enforcing rules to gradually ban any troublemakers in the park. We might find that, at the end of the day, as Denise Lee likes to say, this positive approach will solve the problem no matter what is physically done to the park. ?
The question is whether or not the expensive moves suggested are going to solve the problem of the habitual occupiers. In other words, we might find that after spending the money to remove some of the amenities of the park, including the trees, the same occupiers will be there still.
This is the scenario we've all seen before. An action is taken because of the pressure to “solve a problem†at any cost, an action of seeming desperation; the money is spent, and it comes to nothing of significance simply because the action was not related to the real problem. In other words, the real issues or solutions were missed.
In my view, when the solution is not clear, when it is complex and sensitive, which the park problem is, it is best to do very little, instead of spending great sums of money to perform somewhat radical changes. However, if the proposed changes were clearly the solutions, then by all means, make them, and spend the money. But who among us can confidently say that the proposed changes will produce the desired results? Who among us can confidently say that the end result will not be more damaging in the long run than simply leaving the park as it is?
Regarding the comments about the peripheral park areas, only the south edge of the park has buildings appropriate for convenient sidewalk entry retail. The Dalton agency, on this south edge, at least as far as contributing to the "vibrancy†of the park, is somewhat of a loss, as it clearly does not contribute to any “excitement†in the environment, as would be the case with certain retail establishments. As others have mentioned, the more street level retail we can locate surrounding the park, the better for all aspects of the problem we currently have; and this, simply because doing so will entice more people to the park, which will in turn, produce a more viable balance of individuals in the park.
Homeless, transients, loafers, unemployed, bums, and panhandlers are in the park, some being troublemakers who cause visitors to be wary of the park. But in the park too, are individuals relaxing, local workers, visitors from outside the city, local residents, retired people simply wanting to enjoy nature, the shade of the oaks, who want to play a game of chess, who want to enjoy the company of others, to converse with interesting people, some of these being the "element" with which we've been concerned, who are sometimes more interesting and refreshing in conversation, certainly more honest in many respects, than many in our working lives.
Fundamentally, just as with many things in life, we are talking about a balance, a moderation, an ideal, and how to achieve it. Conditions sometimes respond better to subtle pressures, to certain delicate actions, the right ones of course, whereas careless force or action occasionally results in further imbalance, or destruction.
Don't forget. City Council meeting this Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., and the Hemming Park meeting, to which all are invited, on the 18th at 10:00 a.m. at city hall, in the Davis Room.
Quote from: ronchamblin on April 08, 2012, 05:29:54 PM
Regarding the comments about the peripheral park areas, only the south edge of the park has buildings appropriate for convenient sidewalk entry retail. The Dalton agency, on this south edge, at least as far as contributing to the "vibrancy†of the park, is somewhat of a loss, as it clearly does not contribute to any “excitement†in the environment, as would be the case with certain retail establishments. As others have mentioned, the more street level retail we can locate surrounding the park, the better for all aspects of the problem we currently have; and this, simply because doing so will entice more people to the park, which will in turn, produce a more viable balance of individuals in the park.
I believe all four edges are salvagable. The east edge has the library and the museum. The library has two poorly regulated retail spots. A simple policy change and RFP for those spaces can be a solution to activate that edge. The same goes for the vacant city-owned church on the south edge.
The west edge can easily accommodate a built in vendor or two by taking advantage of the skyway's over engineered foot print. The north edge would be an ideal location for a couple of designated food truck vendor locations. Having rotating vendors on that edge could be a plus that doesn't cost anything as well. In the long run, it would be good for the city to repurpose some of its street level space facing the park, back into retail space. Outside of the last suggestion, everything I just mentioned most likely makes the city money instead of costing taxpayers.
Yes, some areas are salvageable. I like the idea of doing something on the west edge, around the Skyway structure. Currently this area is totally neutral. One of the easiest changes would be the old Shelby's in the library. Perhaps we can talk Dalton's into moving into an upper level of the Jacobs Jewelry building so that Boomtown can reopen there. ;D
keep in mind that Subway is in the Dalton Building on the south edge....and they have outdoor seating.
also, Quizno's is across from the southwest corner of the park
Unfortunately, they are too isolated to make a significant impact. Hemming needs more of that activity on all for sides to truly activate its outer square.
What happened to the chili bar that was in front of city hall?
Sure we can have a couple of hot dog carts, and some hidden cafes/stores (that many most likely won't even know about anyway, and don't expect any dramatic outdoor signage) in the peripheral Hemming areas like the Library, and City Hall, but is that gonna significantly revitalize Hemming? Where's the significant retail? The south edge has the best chance for a store, but even with that, don't except nothing large in size. I hate talking about the glory yesteryear days, but maybe Jax was on to something concerning DT vibrancy in the past; With key retail places like Woolworth, and May Cohens that are now gone (nothing unique with many DTs all over the US at the time). We have to face it, those days are long gone, I don't see any notable retail ever being in that area, that 'was' supposed to shift to the Landing. We have to come up with new ideas concerning Hemming with special events, small vendors, etc. I'm just trying to be realistic, not pessimistic.
Quote from: I-10east on April 09, 2012, 01:16:54 AM
Sure we can have a couple of hot dog carts, and some hidden cafes/stores (that many most likely won't even know about anyway, and don't expect any dramatic outdoor signage) in the peripheral Hemming areas like the Library, and City Hall, but is that gonna significantly revitalize Hemming? Where's the significant retail? The south edge has the best chance for a store, but even with that, don't except nothing large in size. I hate talking about the glory yesteryear days, but maybe Jax was on to something concerning DT vibrancy in the past; With key retail places like Woolworth, and May Cohens that are now gone (nothing unique with many DTs all over the US at the time). We have to face it, those days are long gone, I don't see any notable retail ever being in that area, that 'was' supposed to shift to the Landing. We have to come up with new ideas concerning Hemming with special events, small vendors, etc. I'm just trying to be realistic, not pessimistic.
Unless we return the area to what worked and made it thriving... that is , various destinations , not just a couple of hot dog stands and a night club or two, IT WILL NEVER COME BACK! When retail died there, it was never to be the same again.
I too am not being pessimistic. I remember it when the plaza had retail and a Hotel , and eateries, and destinations. When Retail , The Robert Meyer, etc were wiped out, so was the area.
To me , other than fixing what truly needs to be fixed in Hemming Plaza, and taking care of , not cutting down trees, I do not see the need for a tab like what is proposed for the area.
Want to get the homeless out of there? Good idea , but they have to go somewhere.
The Video , as it was presented as the topic of this thread portrays a beautiful park that to me at least, does not need much to still be beautiful. When they dig it up and destroy it, it is just more taxpayer money down the drain and will result in an even less-populated park. I think personally its a colossal waste of money. As Chris pointed out, removal of damaged furniture there? PRETTY PRICEY Tab on that alone.
The break down of that proposal just stinks, and a lot of it is just not necessary.