Before and After: Downtown Jacksonville Retail
(http://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Neighborhoods/Downtown-Jacksonville-January/i-kqwm6Zs/0/L/DSCF3792-L.jpg)
For much of the 20th century, downtown Jacksonville's Northbank was the premier urban shopping district in Florida. Here's a before and after look at spaces that were once key attractions of a forgotten retail era in the city's history.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2017-mar-before-and-after-downtown-jacksonville-retail
You know after reading this it made me realize how many historic buildings there still are downtown. At least these are still around!
What stood out to me was the contrast in foot traffic.
I wouldn't be surprised if the current state photos were taken on a weekend. I bet there is a little more traffic that you'd see in those pics during the week.
Speaking of foot traffic, three years ago I was working in San Marco and had to go downtown frequently. I've since been in Tallahassee for law school for three years and have only made it to downtown Jacksonville on weekends. A few weeks ago I was in downtown on a weekday and was surprised by how many people were walking around. I wonder if downtown retail and restaurants have seen a noticeable increase in business over the past three years.
What stood out to me was all the manhole covers we now have.
I didn't know that UNF had a downtown campus. Wouldn't that be something if that came back.
Quote from: jaxlore on March 16, 2017, 04:06:21 PM
I didn't know that UNF had a downtown campus. Wouldn't that be something if that came back.
UNF is starting to do some things downtown again:
http://jacksonville.com/news/2016-12-15/jacksonville-bringing-college-life-back-downtown
Yeah, I hope the new president of UNF will make that a priority.
What stood out to me is how we went from open and inviting to down right prison yard unwelcoming. Hey but at least they didn't raze those buildings
The contrasts of yesteryear's retail in Jax to now is interesting. Although IMO that old retail had virtually no chance in hell of being any existing modern department stores. TBH, I think that Jax did a pretty damn good job repurposing those particular buildings pictured for the most part.