Quote(http://jacksonville.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/lead_photo_wide/14012450.jpg)
The downtown core of Jacksonville Beach is known for its vibrant nightlife, its selection of happening bars, restaurants and clubs, and its frequent events that bring visitors to the area surrounding the SeaWalk Pavilion.
For some, that reputation needs tweaking.
In search of a more family-friendly atmosphere, city officials are working on an action plan culled from the responses to an October citizen survey: develop special events for all age groups, build a mixed-use parking garage, install bike racks throughout the area, establish taxi stands in the Central Business District and encourage a wider range of businesses to open up shop.
But does the quest to rebrand the city's downtown identity clash with businesses that already have firm roots?
For many, the effort seems positive — but for others, it reeks of unattainable goals.
"We have two personas here: a daytime persona and a nighttime persona," Mayor Charlie Latham said. "But one of the biggest perceptions we have to overcome is that we're this divided group, the Hatfields and the McCoys. We all want to be able to bring our children and grandchildren down to the beach."
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/community/shorelines/2015-01-02/story
The main thing the City of Jax Beach did to help create their downtown as it is now is to get out of the way. Individual property owners began improving their properties when the city finally gave up on trying to do big redevelopment projects that would have taken many properties away from their owners through eminent domain. I think the home owners out there just want less alcohol and traffic.
That's not quite accurate. They city was "out of the way" for 20 years of decline. It was only when they developed (and stuck with) a comprehensive master plan for the area that life has returned.
But what they didn't do was start telling property owners what they could and couldn't do beyond the basic guidelines. Of course what the markets gotten them is a nightlife district not everyone's happy with.
Quote from: Tacachale on January 04, 2015, 09:10:08 AM
That's not quite accurate. They city was "out of the way" for 20 years of decline. It was only when they developed (and stuck with) a comprehensive master plan for the area that life has returned.
But what they didn't do was start telling property owners what they could and couldn't do beyond the basic guidelines. Of course what the markets gotten them is a nightlife district not everyone's happy with.
Such a great post.