Learning from Tampa
(http://www.metrojacksonville.com/images/tampa/DCP_7625.jpg)
Tampa’s rise and decline follows a similar pattern to Jacksonville’s. Both cities had a significant population during the early 20th century and are blessed to contain urban districts and architectural treasures that are rare to the Sunbelt. Both have also suffered from urban renewal, ill-advised peoplemovers, and 1970’s master plans that called for converting downtown retail districts into pedestrian malls. Today, we examine how Tampa has responded to downtown revitalization and expose some of the successes and failures of this Central Florida community’s urban core.
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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/287
This article and the last were just further proof that Jax needs connectivity.Their cruise port is actually close to downtown, and even though Jacksonville isn't a huge cruise destination, that would bring what tourists we do get from cruises straight to the heart of jacksonville.
So in the last few months, downtown Jacksonville has been put to shame by downtowns in Detroit, Cincinnati, Orlando and Tampa. Stop the madness! I wonder where the hell the city council took their trips and what they learned.
I lived in Tampa for over 6 years prior to moving here in April 2006. I now live downtown and that was never an option in Tampa. Sure the areas surrounding downtown Tampa are nice (Ybor City, Seminole Height,s Hyde Park) but there is virtually nothing in downtown itself. Harbour Island is like a gated golf community in the heart of the city and Channelside is just coming to life.
Downtown Jax offers so much oppotunity. Just stay positive!
I agree, that Jax's Northbank has a much better future ahead of it's self than the central core of downtown Tampa. However, what we should really take from this photo thread is how the concept of "connectivity" has caused the Northern half of Harbour Island and the Channel District to boom in a relatively short amount of time.
Some of the concepts used there could help us reconnect our downtown to Springfield, San Marco, Brooklyn, Five Points and other inner city neighborhoods, created one giant scene of vibrancy, instead of divided and isolated segments.