Turning this http://goo.gl/maps/7rBq (http://goo.gl/maps/7rBq)
Into this
(http://www.southmarketdistrict.com/images/surrounding_feature.jpg)
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/developer_plans_new_complex_of.html (http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/developer_plans_new_complex_of.html)
If NOLA (with a population smaller than Jacksonville's on an MSA basis) can redevelop its formerly auto-centric, entirely commercial office space CBD into a livable, walkable, transit-oriented downtown, why can't we?
What will it take? We can start by not approving projects with poor ground level interaction like the Parador garage. If we keep allowing crap, there will never be any reason or incentive for decent stuff. It's okay to hold out and demand better. You don't have to be treated like crap and still give it up on the first date.