Vince Cavin Chosen as Hemming Park Executive Director
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/assets/thumbs/image.831.feature.jpg)
Friends of Hemming Park announced their new hire to manage Hemming Park today, as well as the quiet announcement that longtime Metrojacksonville poster Mike Field had joined the board of the Friends of Hemming Park. Join us after the jump for more details!
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-sep-vince-cavin-chosen-as-hemming-park-executive-director
Congrats Vince & Mike!
Can't wait to see what's in store for HP.
Love the idea of adding more greenspace and returning Hemming Plaza to Hemming Park.
Nice move for DT and Hemming. He and the board should be able to work some magic with that budget.
Excellent news!
Quote from: KenFSU on September 04, 2014, 11:37:50 AM
Congrats Vince & Mike!
Can't wait to see what's in store for HP.
Love the idea of adding more greenspace and returning Hemming Plaza to Hemming Park.
P.S. I think I've mentioned it in the past, but I
really hope that Friends of HP use the 1983 restoration of Bryant Park in New York as inspiration for Hemming's revitalization. You couldn't ask for a better case study, and in many ways, the two parks are carbon copies of each other. Both front their respective city's main libraries, both fell from glory and became victim to blight and crime, and both sought salvation from private nonprofits. Even the financials are similar.
Bryant Park might be my favorite park in the country, and I think a similar (if scaled down) layout at Hemming Park -- with greenspace in the center, seating, kiosks, and trees on the perimeter, and a stage beneath the Skyway -- would be absolutely incredible. Wifi would of course be awesome too.
QuoteACCORD REACHED ON RESTORATION OF BRYANT PARK
New York Times, 1983
Bryant Park is about to be restored to its former elegance as the backyard of the New York Public Library, library officials said yesterday.
Under a 35-year agreement reached by the city, the library and the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, the revitalization of the park, behind the Central Research Library on Fifth Avenue just south of 42d Street, will include the following:
- Extensive architectural restoration and the building of kiosks on the perimeter of the park.
- Construction of a grand cafe restaurant.
- Replanting and landscaping.
- Increased lighting and security.
- Expansion of cultural and community programs. State and City Approval Needed
The Bryant Park Corporation, a private, nonprofit corporation created in 1980 to coordinate efforts to renovate the park, will assume responsibility for its restoration and maintenance under the general oversight of the city's Department of Parks.
The plan, which must be approved by various city and state agencies, calls for the city to provide an initial capital budget commitment of $1 million for the repair and redesign of the park. Under the plan, the city would also provide $250,000 a year for maintenance and operating expenses.
If the approvals are granted within the next nine months, the restoration could be completed by the end of 1985, library officials said.
The redesign would be carried out by the architectural firm of Hardy, Holzman, Pfeiffer Associates. Negotiations have also been started with the New York Botanical Garden for landscaping of the area. There are also tentative plans for construction of a restaurant along the back wall of the library.
The Bryant Park Corporation, with the help of the police, has slowly been reclaiming the nine-acre park from the derelicts, alcoholics, card players and drug dealers who had taken it over. Businesses Helping Financially
Over the last two and a half years, chamber-music concerts, book fairs, flower shows and various cleanup activities have helped to restore the park to the lovely haunt for midtown picnic lunches that it once was.
With grants from businesses in the area and support from the privately financed Parks Council, graffiti have been removed and general amenities have been restored.
A sharp decrease in robberies and other serious crimes in the area has been reported by the police. Dr. Vartan Gregorian, president of the New York Public Library, praised the agreement. ''While the library will not benefit financially from the agreement,'' he said, ''it is in the library's long-range interest that Bryant Park be restored to serve its original public purpose.''
A number of foundations have also contributed to the restoration of the park.
Hemming Location:
(http://i.imgur.com/Hgw8Ggd.jpg)
Bryant Location:
(http://i.imgur.com/8H4Gu9O.jpg)
Early Hemming:
(http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/photos/cities/jax/jax2/photos/jax204.jpg)
Early Bryant:
(http://www.bryantpark.org/static/galleries/history/11.jpg)
Blighted Hemming:
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4316-dsc_0004.JPG)
Blighted Bryant:
(http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1043429!/img/httpImage/image.jpg)
Modern Bryant:
(http://www.asla.org/sustainablelandscapes/images/bryantpark/bryantpark_5.jpg)
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Bryant_Park_with_NYPL.jpg)
(http://www.pps.org/graphics/gpp/bryant_park2_large)
(http://www.visitingmanhattan.org/images/bryant-park.jpg)
(http://www.lambdaproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Bryant_Park_2.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1398/5213504962_f1834d89ff_z.jpg)
(http://www.theculturemom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_8275.jpg)
(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/09/07/travel/07weekend600.jpg)
(http://ericagriffin.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/bryant-park-ice-skating.jpg)
Would encourage you to visit the website: www.hemmingpark.org (http://www.hemmingpark.org). Would also encourage you to 'like' and 'follow' Hemming Park on Facebook.
If you are interested in volunteering, there is a link to pass along your contact info on the website. There will be A LOT of exciting and groundbreaking events coming to Hemming, and volunteers like you will be crucial to the park's success.
Mayor Brown was actually in Hemming Park? I guess miracles really do happen...but it's going to take a rather extensive series of them to make this dream come true. I hate to sound like Debbie Downer, but this just seems like one more example of how we constantly focus on trying to "fix" one highly-visible and media-friendly component of a much larger problem instead of first taking on the very real, difficult, time-consuming and decidedly unglamorous work of repairing the underlying foundation. We have been doing it for decades, and with this year's inclusion of swimming pools and ginormous television screens at Everbank Stadium and the commencement of a grand Utopian vision for Hemming Park, we continue down the same merry path.
Quote from: fieldafm on September 04, 2014, 01:56:49 PM
Would encourage you to visit the website: www.hemmingpark.org (http://www.hemmingpark.org). Would also encourage you to 'like' and 'follow' Hemming Park on Facebook.
If you are interested in volunteering, there is a link to pass along your contact info on the website. There will be A LOT of exciting and groundbreaking events coming to Hemming, and volunteers like you will be crucial to the park's success.
Done. Looking forward to a positive future for one of Jacksonville's most iconic spots
Wayne Wood said at the board meeting of a local non-profit last month that Bryant Park was one of the inspirations for what they are trying to do in Hemming. The board members of FOHP had evidently visited and talked with the management of Bryant.
Quote from: Dog Walker on September 04, 2014, 02:40:23 PM
Wayne Wood said at the board meeting of a local non-profit last month that Bryant Park was one of the inspirations for what they are trying to do in Hemming. The board members of FOHP had evidently visited and talked with the management of Bryant.
In 1980, the Jacksonville Chamber visited Baltimore's Inner Harbor which led to construction of The Jacksonville Landing. Thirty four years later The Landing still cannot touch the Inner Harbor. Think about it. Thirty four years and we are still are pondering and conjecturing about the differences between Baltimore's Inner Harbor area and our Jacksonville Landing and surrounding areas.
We have got to fix the foundation before we can layer on the accoutrements.Or, we can just keep having press conferences, groundbreakings, events and debates until the cows come home to Cowford...
Quote from: Dog Walker on September 04, 2014, 02:40:23 PM
Wayne Wood said at the board meeting of a local non-profit last month that Bryant Park was one of the inspirations for what they are trying to do in Hemming. The board members of FOHP had evidently visited and talked with the management of Bryant.
Thanks so much for passing this info along, it's really encouraging to hear. Love Bryant's central greenspace, as it provides the park so much flexibility. On any given day, it can be used for:
Recreation:
(http://www.nycgovparks.org/photo_gallery/full_size/9789.jpg)
Movie Night:
(http://www.aptnewyork.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/film-festival.jpg)
Yoga:
(https://flavorpill-images-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/event/img/536d01d59cceba02b0000dcf/new_full_ff6f1e307b5bad837bd8850457f59712.jpg)
Ice Skating:
(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kwt8t9R9rX1qza0o5.jpg)
Special Events:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFqMYVh4mT8/TnT__-AwkMI/AAAAAAAADmU/NI_T3pFrsCw/s1600/DSC02228.JPG)
Etc.
Apparently black people = blighted? 8)
Quote from: KenFSU on September 04, 2014, 12:55:06 PM
Blighted Hemming:
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4316-dsc_0004.JPG)
Blighted Bryant:
(http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1043429!/img/httpImage/image.jpg)
Ice Skating? So now Hell is freezing over, too? ;)
I was a public relations consultant for 30 years and I know how to spin with the best of them, but when the hype dies down and everything is still once again, the same issue will resurface. Downtown Jacksonville, at its core, suffers from a huge identity crisis. We want to be like Baltimore's Inner Harbor, we want to be like Bryant Park, New York. We want to be like any number of successful urban turnarounds we have read about or experienced. And it's fine to have examples to follow, models to emulate, and enthusiasm for the cause, but our real problem is that deep down inside, we don't know who we are to begin with.
New York, Baltimore, Atlanta, Savannah, etc. all have innate characteristics and flavors that make up their unique brand. Everything that is created, developed, built and improved upon serves to enhance that brand identity and image. It's not random or scattered. It is concentrated and deliberate. And that is exactly what we need to focus on now while the energy is high.
Downtown Jacksonville, as a whole, needs to create one brand position that truly reflects our unique identity, heritage and revitalization. Let me repeat that: One Brand--not one brand for Hemming Park and one brand for The Landing and one brand for the Shipyards-- One Overarching Brand. And, that brand needs to drive every single effort we make down here so that it becomes a unified movement and not a bunch of individual factions working in silos to no end gain. Until that happens, there can be no real forward momentum no matter how noble the intentions.
Quote from: ssky on September 04, 2014, 04:30:38 PM
Downtown Jacksonville, as a whole, needs to create one brand position that truly reflects our unique identity, heritage and revitalization. Let me repeat that: One Brand--not one brand for Hemming Park and one brand for The Landing and one brand for the Shipyards-- One Overarching Brand. And, that brand needs to drive every single effort we make down here so that it becomes a unified movement and not a bunch of individual factions working in silos to no end gain. Until that happens, there can be no real forward momentum no matter how noble the intentions.
So one can only hope that this is one of the first of many steps required to get there. If you take everything at face value, the first step was getting the DIA going. Now you have another non-profit that is in charge of managing the park, but still under the DIA umbrella. Now that the groundwork is laid, the path becomes easier and clearer for the next group to step-up and find another parcel to activate.
And IMO, the key to it all will be the coordination of all of the different groups and avoiding the 'silo-ing' that was mentioned several months ago. I believe that all of is another bonus of the DIA being in charge as opposed to everyone having to go to city hall. There is one entity in charge of coordinating these groups with no other agenda than to keep downtown hopping. Once these little 'isolated' parts of the city become activated, then they can start coordinating functions with one another. You're in charge of bringing in your target group and all of a sudden they realize that there's so much more going on that they find interesting.
For example, The Wiggles have a show at the FT on Saturday afternoon. If FoH knows this, maybe they plan something for early evening that is kid-friendly. An open air pottery painting or something fun and interactive for the kiddos. Now you've given people that normally would drive in and drive out a reason to stick around after the show, maybe grab a bite to eat, etc... The parents then notice all of the 'adult' things going on, and realize that maybe DT might warrant a visit on their next date night. Too 'Pollyanna'? Probably. But IMO this is how it should work.
Coordination and compatibility is key. And I think if this is done right, we're definitely turning a corner.
From the pics it certainly looks like Bryant Park is whiter and brighter.
I
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on September 04, 2014, 05:36:19 PM
Quote from: ssky on September 04, 2014, 04:30:38 PM
Downtown Jacksonville, as a whole, needs to create one brand position that truly reflects our unique identity, heritage and revitalization. Let me repeat that: One Brand--not one brand for Hemming Park and one brand for The Landing and one brand for the Shipyards-- One Overarching Brand. And, that brand needs to drive every single effort we make down here so that it becomes a unified movement and not a bunch of individual factions working in silos to no end gain. Until that happens, there can be no real forward momentum no matter how noble the intentions.
So one can only hope that this is one of the first of many steps required to get there. If you take everything at face value, the first step was getting the DIA going. Now you have another non-profit that is in charge of managing the park, but still under the DIA umbrella. Now that the groundwork is laid, the path becomes easier and clearer for the next group to step-up and find another parcel to activate.
And IMO, the key to it all will be the coordination of all of the different groups and avoiding the 'silo-ing' that was mentioned several months ago. I believe that all of is another bonus of the DIA being in charge as opposed to everyone having to go to city hall. There is one entity in charge of coordinating these groups with no other agenda than to keep downtown hopping. Once these little 'isolated' parts of the city become activated, then they can start coordinating functions with one another. You're in charge of bringing in your target group and all of a sudden they realize that there's so much more going on that they find interesting.
For example, The Wiggles have a show at the FT on Saturday afternoon. If FoH knows this, maybe they plan something for early evening that is kid-friendly. An open air pottery painting or something fun and interactive for the kiddos. Now you've given people that normally would drive in and drive out a reason to stick around after the show, maybe grab a bite to eat, etc... The parents then notice all of the 'adult' things going on, and realize that maybe DT might warrant a visit on their next date night. Too 'Pollyanna'? Probably. But IMO this is how it should work.
Coordination and compatibility is key. And I think if this is done right, we're definitely turning a corner.
It's time pull away from all of the tactical pieces—the event planning, the programming, the new logos – long enough to build a solid, workable and sustainable strategy that will serve as the groundwork for our future growth downtown. That strategy must include both immediate and long-term solutions for parking and security issues.
While it is certainly not Pollyanna to believe events can build upon one another to attract more traffic down here, it is naïve to think such a thing should even begin before there is ample, secure parking and adequate, visible police presence to create an environment where one feels safe and unthreatened.
Lack of those two basic necessities is plaguing the existing businesses and residents of the Urban Core every day; to add more events and people at this point is just compounding an already-serious situation.
The first, and perhaps most important, step in revitalizing our Downtown is simply to fix what is already broken. Once we do that, the sky is the limit. But, if we continue to ignore the cracks in our foundation in favor of doing all the "fun stuff", we're just building a big house of cards.
Quote from: ssky on September 04, 2014, 07:57:42 PM
While it is certainly not Pollyanna to believe events can build upon one another to attract more traffic down here, it is naïve to think such a thing should even begin before there is ample, secure parking and adequate, visible police presence to create an environment where one feels safe and unthreatened.
Using a lack of parking as an excuse is ridiculous. It's been discussed repeatedly on this site, and among myself and several groups of friends. We've discussed the
perceived parking issues regarding downtown, Avondale, King St., and 5 points... There is ZERO parking shortage, but there is definitely a walking shortage.
I'm not sure what your point is regarding police presence. I've never felt unsafe while downtown.
Quote from: stephendare on September 04, 2014, 05:48:35 PM
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Other/mi/i-QBQw8bz/0/M/HP-big.png-M.jpg)
I'm glad someone explained that the logo is "HP" ... I never saw the "P" ... even knowing it's there, it is hard to see.
a little too abstract?
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on September 04, 2014, 08:22:14 PM
Quote from: ssky on September 04, 2014, 07:57:42 PM
While it is certainly not Pollyanna to believe events can build upon one another to attract more traffic down here, it is naïve to think such a thing should even begin before there is ample, secure parking and adequate, visible police presence to create an environment where one feels safe and unthreatened.
Using a lack of parking as an excuse is ridiculous. It's been discussed repeatedly on this site, and among myself and several groups of friends. We've discussed the perceived parking issues regarding downtown, Avondale, King St., and 5 points... There is ZERO parking shortage, but there is definitely a walking shortage.
I'm not sure what your point is regarding police presence. I've never felt unsafe while downtown.
To your first point: Before you get all huffy and discount my point of view, please remember that perception is reality for many people, especially those who won't or don't come down here because they perceive a lack of parking. I happen to live and work down here so I not only perceive it, I have a front row seat to it. At the very least, you may want to consider that we could benefit from educating our invited visitors about the abundance of parking options down here...in fact, I would enjoy learning about them myself.
In response to your second point: I was never afraid either when I first moved down here seven years ago, but whether the problems have gotten worse or just my perception of them has, I am not nearly as comfortable walking around alone after dark as I used to be. Either way, I know for a fact that I am not the only one who feels this way.
Regardless, there is no need to debate this any further. I still think that we need to formulate a sound strategy, addressing both our strengths and our weaknesses, and then develop a strong brand position before we move into the Land of Special Events and Park Programming. Obviously I am in the minority, but that doesn't necessarily mean I am wrong. Time will tell.
I'm not meaning to come across huffy, it's just a conversation that I've had so many times that I'm convinced it's just common sense and I don't understand why so few people can comprehend it
Here's one of the examples I used with a friend of mine.
She and I went to Town Center and this was the generic path we took:
(http://i.imgur.com/nqF19Rj.png)
The next day, we went to Mellow Mushroom and she complained about the walk...
(http://i.imgur.com/tahdkcj.png)
And if I were to suggest the same scenario that I discussed, I would probably get a bunch of flak about not being able to park nearby...
(http://i.imgur.com/BnPFDl4.png)
There's plenty of parking garages that are closer, but I wanted to choose a path that gives a multitude of option. Even walking past the car to grab a drink at Burro or a bite at Chomp Chomp.
Numbers don't lie. It's about perception. And until people get over the fact that parking a couple of streets away is the EXACT SAME THING as parking in the middle of a typical department store surface lot, then we'll continue having this discussion.
Note to Mods: I realize this is completely off topic, but it's a discussion that we've had here many times and is kind of relevant to make a point to ssky. Move if needed.
Sorry, had to say it......but the HP Hemming Park logo........is horrible.....
This taxpayer folly is just that, a horrible waste of taxpayer resources. Look at the other parks downtown. The Park that Peyton built 2 blocks to the east is hardly ever used, and is nothing but green space. When was the last movie shown in that pocket park? When was the last set of chairs placed in that park? Does it get to share in the 1,000,000 dollar folly of resources too? What about the other "pocket parks" of downtown?
Typical Jacksonville, we want to fix one square block without a plan for all PARKS downtown, and we will, as usual, fail miserably.
Quote from: mtraininjax on September 05, 2014, 12:24:32 AM
This taxpayer folly is just that, a horrible waste of taxpayer resources. Look at the other parks downtown. The Park that Peyton built 2 blocks to the east is hardly ever used, and is nothing but green space. When was the last movie shown in that pocket park? When was the last set of chairs placed in that park? Does it get to share in the 1,000,000 dollar folly of resources too? What about the other "pocket parks" of downtown?
Typical Jacksonville, we want to fix one square block without a plan for all PARKS downtown, and we will, as usual, fail miserably.
There is something finally going at the Main St pocket park:
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2014-08-31/story/jenny-hagers-sculpture-walk-will-bring-13-sculptures-downtown (http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/arts/2014-08-31/story/jenny-hagers-sculpture-walk-will-bring-13-sculptures-downtown)
I am excited about this. The logo is actually kind of cool after a look. Not only is it the HP but its also represents all of the buildings and a green space. The reality though is a logo did not save Bryant Park, which I totally feel the same way about as KenFSU. Glad to hear the FOHP board using it as an inspiration.
The perceptions of long walks, lack of parking and security are really just that - perceptions. As a native Jaxson I am programmed to think this way, but I have always been surprised when going DT. The reality is that it's under-populated but not dangerous; and parking is, well, everywhere. I hope the two-way streets are instituted soon, as they will complement foot traffic and visitors.
I signed up to volunteer at Hemming. At least I can contribute, and then maybe I'll have an even more accurate description.
My thanks to all who made this happen and best of luck in your endeavor.
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2014, 08:17:02 AM
Yes, we covered it on our front page a week ago, actually.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-aug-sculpture-walk-jax-opens-at-main-street-park
Drove by it about an hour ago. There are some pretty nice pieces going in there.
QuoteThose three will be on display outside Regions Bank, outside the JAX Chamber and in Hemming Plaza.
Field - How do you "get something going on at the Main Street park" from this? Nothing at the pocket park across the street from FL Theatre? Nothing to tie in all the green space in parks downtown? Is there a plan to connect them all, or are they just random green spaces?
There is no plan in downtown Jax because no one thinks of a plan, same with traffic, growth, everything is just throw crap on a wall and see what sticks, and that becomes the plan.
I'll be excited when there's actual improvement.
Just an observation that Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Joseph is an interim Director and so these positive Actions are taking place without a Director. Other big decisions Unity Plaza. 2014-412 Water taxis.
QuoteField - How do you "get something going on at the Main Street park" from this?
I really don't know how to answer this, because you clearly didn't read either link that was provided to you.
Once again history may be repeating itsself. Back when the Landing was opening they had just completed a refurbishing of Hemming. It was to be the other end of the revitalization. I know this cause we hired the paver contractor. It faultered shortly afterward. The busses tore up the clay pavers they specified. The Landing stole all the lunch crowd away from the businesses. The homeless moved back in. After all they are downtown residents.
It's not Hemming that's broke, it's downtown.
Quote from: Overstreet on September 06, 2014, 03:28:13 PM
Once again history may be repeating itsself. Back when the Landing was opening they had just completed a refurbishing of Hemming. It was to be the other end of the revitalization. I know this cause we hired the paver contractor. It faultered shortly afterward. The busses tore up the clay pavers they specified. The Landing stole all the lunch crowd away from the businesses. The homeless moved back in. After all they are downtown residents.
It's not Hemming that's broke, it's downtown.
"It is difficult to design a space that will not attract people. What is remarkable is how often this has been accomplished." - William H. WhyteHemming Plaza/Park
is downtown's foundation. The 1970s paver conversion was the tragic, doomed result of a failed master plan, predicated on downtown department stores that were shuttered by 1987. It's stunning that we were able to so badly screw up such a simple public square, but it's truly mind-boggling that we've allowed it to remain as such for 40 years. I see this new development as history correcting itself, rather than repeating itself.
Hemming Plaza has become symbolic of downtown Jacksonville's poor reputation. Clean it up, provide clear sight lines across the park, add security, food vendors, and year-round programming, staff a maintenance crew to keep it clean and green, and you've got yourself one hell of a space. Make Hemming Plaza an attractive place to be, and you're going to see surrounding business boom and blossom outward. I honestly believe that Hemming, the Trio, and the Landing are the three projects with the potential to create the synergy necessary to light a fire under downtown development. Way more than the Shipyards, or the USS Adams, etc.
I don't buy parking as the problem either. Create a space that people want to spend time in, and they will find a way to get there. Hemming's true vibrancy though isn't going to come from attracting Moms from the southside, it's going to come from presenting an inviting place for downtown's tens of thousands of office workers to congregate in the morning, during lunch, for meetings, or after hours. It's going to come from library patrons, and museum visitors, and tourists.
I've been reading up on Friends of Hemming Plaza, and I am
convinced that they know what they are doing. I keep going back to the Bryant Park comparison, not because (as someone suggested previously) I think Jacksonville needs to try to be like New York, but because it's a nearly perfect comparison, and because the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation revolutionized a similar blighted city square not by spending a billion dollars, but by doing a lot of very little, very inexpensive things properly that, when taken together, added up to far more than the sum of their parts. It wasn't pie-in-the-sky nonsense, but a series of deliberate, brilliantly simple choices executed with the input of very smart people like William Whyte, James Q. Wilson, and George L. Kelling. From what I've read of Friends of Hemming Plaza, they genuinely seem to get it.
Really excited to see what the future holds for Hemming.
Quote from: KenFSU on September 07, 2014, 12:58:21 AM
I don't buy parking as the problem either. Create a space that people want to spend time in, and they will find a way to get there. Hemming's true vibrancy though isn't going to come from attracting Moms from the southside, it's going to come from presenting an inviting place for downtown's tens of thousands of office workers to congregate in the morning, during lunch, for meetings, or after hours. It's going to come from library patrons, and museum visitors, and tourists.
I've been reading up on Friends of Hemming Plaza, and I am convinced that they know what they are doing. I keep going back to the Bryant Park comparison, not because (as someone suggested previously) I think Jacksonville needs to try to be like New York, but because it's a nearly perfect comparison, and because the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation revolutionized a similar blighted city square not by spending a billion dollars, but by doing a lot of very little, very inexpensive things properly that, when taken together, added up to far more than the sum of their parts. It wasn't pie-in-the-sky nonsense, but a series of deliberate, brilliantly simple choices executed with the input of very smart people like William Whyte, James Q. Wilson, and George L. Kelling. From what I've read of Friends of Hemming Plaza, they genuinely seem to get it.
Really excited to see what the future holds for Hemming.
Are we talking about the same Hemming Park that I live two blocks from, where it's as hot as Hell on Steroids most of the year? I just want to be sure I'm not missing something because, at least in my experience, nobody in their right mind wants to congregate, much less eat or try to hold a meeting, in that heat, especially dressed in business clothes.
Several years ago, in April, I held an important media conference downtown not far from Hemming Park. Due to circumstances, it had to be held outside. Again, this was in April. We had a large canopy and huge fans and people were still soaked in perspiration before the thing even kicked off. It was awful, and I never did it that way again.
My point is: that was a press event; people
had to come. But why would anybody
voluntarily hang out in 100 degree heat and humidity while dressed in a suit? I think we are deluding ourselves into believing we have a climate similar to other cities we aspire to emulate. We don't. We have summer 10 months out of twelve.
I'm not being snarky. I'm just amazed how easily we seem to forget exactly how freaking hot it is down here. And before anybody brings up Jazz Fest, Art Walk or One Spark, please remember that I am not talking about milling around dressed in shorts and flip flops and drinking cold beverages. I am talking about a business day, dressed in a business suit, usually rushing from one air conditioned space to the next, and I just don't see this particular vision of Hemming happening. It's kind of like the ice skating picture from Bryant Park that has popped up a couple of times...I wish we could have that here, but I am certainly not holding my breath.
^Why must everyone be dressed in suits? If the space is truly vibrant, it should be able to attract several segments of the local population throughout the day. Maybe it is too hot in the middle of the day to hang out in the park in a suit. However, that doesn't mean it can't be filled during that time slot with children and stay-at-home moms enjoying kiddie friendly amenities (if we had some there), during their field trips to the library and two museums facing it.
As for decent downtown public spaces in the south, look no further than places like Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, downtown Hollywood, Winter Park, etc. Oh, and there's a seasonal ice skating rink in one of downtown Tampa's parks. It gets as hot as hades in all of those places too, yet they've found a way to do the things you mention are impossible to implement in Jax.
(http://cdn2.content.compendiumblog.com/uploads/user/d0acc5ee-5d24-48b9-a55a-f862314bfebd/9f85ae8a-69d3-4ee1-b968-5091cb3b1d36/Image/50e68c9196e7d1730648dee73289ff34/2012_ice_skating_rink_3_w640.jpeg)
All I'm really trying to say is we can do just about anything we want, if we're willing to make a real effort at doing the things it takes to truly succeed.
^^100%
It amazes me to see the old pictures of Jax showing men in suits and hats hanging out downtown in the blazing sun. I guess we're so accustomed to air conditioning we don't adapt well anymore.
I would bet grass would be a much cooler surface overall than brick or concrete. That would help.
Although it is as hot as hell during most of the year here, we've become a nation of wussies. I figured that out during a trip to a New Orleans area plantation, when I was told the slave cabin tours were canceled during the summer because it was too hot.
But getting back to Jacksonville, we can better design our community for the environment we're in. We can start by actually putting up shade trees and awnings over sidewalks.....just like we did before the invention of air conditioning.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/770863434_F6MsQ-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/770863393_Ttu7u-M.jpg)
Quote from: thelakelander on September 07, 2014, 08:38:58 AM
^Why must everyone be dressed in suits? If the space is truly vibrant, it should be able to attract several segments of the local population throughout the day. Maybe it is too hot in the middle of the day to hang out in the park in a suit. However, that doesn't mean it can't be filled during that time slot with children and stay-at-home moms enjoying kiddie friendly amenities (if we had some there), during their field trips to the library and two museums facing it.
Seriously. Who even wears a suit to work anymore?
Quote from: Tacachale on September 07, 2014, 11:13:27 AM
Seriously. Who even wears a suit to work anymore?
Seriously? ???
Yeah, seriously. The majority of men and women I know don't have to wear suits at work.
Quote from: thelakelander on September 07, 2014, 09:46:05 AM
Although it is as hot as hell during most of the year here, we've become a nation of wussies.
have you been listening to Governor Ed Rendell talk by any chance?
Perhaps.....Between Ed Rendell and Brent Toderian, I have a few extra quotes to add to my arsenal.
A couple of more random thoughts:
1) Would love to see the old Snyder Memorial Church worked into FOHP's or the city's plans for Hemming. Such a cool building. Would make a really cool little pub or bar right on the park.
2) Pretty unrealistic I'm sure, but it would be great to see ground-level retail in the St. James Building fronting Hemming.
Quote from: stephendare on September 09, 2014, 07:36:05 AM
Snyder is within the SPARK district, and our committee will be taking up the issue!
FANTASTIC news!
Can't wait to see what you guys have in store :D
Quote from: stephendare on September 09, 2014, 07:36:05 AM
Snyder is within the SPARK district, and our committee will be taking up the issue!
Awesome! I seriously love that building. Playing and seeing bands play in it during One Spark was a highlight!
Any idea if there is a live music aspect being considered for the space?
I worked downtown until three years ago and frequented the park area quite a bit at lunchtime. Went downtown today for lunch. After being told of a 30 minute wait for a table at Candy Apple Cafe went over to NOLA for a great lunch. Was simply amazed at the difference in the Park with the outdoor cafe and overall activity with kids and people all over the place. Was truly impressed and encouraged!! I hope,they keep the yarn around the trees, reminded me of a similar thing in a Seattle park a few years ago.
Quote from: edjax on April 15, 2015, 07:56:45 PM
I worked downtown until three years ago and frequented the park area quite a bit at lunchtime. Went downtown today for lunch. After being told of a 30 minute wait for a table at Candy Apple Cafe went over to NOLA for a great lunch. Was simply amazed at the difference in the Park with the outdoor cafe and overall activity with kids and people all over the place. Was truly impressed and encouraged!! I hope,they keep the yarn around the trees, reminded me of a similar thing in a Seattle park a few years ago.
On behalf of Friends of Hemming Park... welcome back to Hemming EdJax.
Hemming Park received a $100k grant from Southwest Airlines and PPS. Great news for the park.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/community/2015/04/22/hemming-plaza-receives-major-grant/26173933/
^ Indeed....announcement appropriately set up for Earth Day