What do you think of rebranding the Northbank and Southbank into NoCo and SoBa? The Downtown Investment Authority wants to know:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/dtjax-brand-survey
...is this a joke? Are you joking right now?
I did the survey and gave no more than a 1 or 2 to all of it. Looks very amatuer-ish. Reflects what's wrong with Downtown. Uninspiring, boring, dull, blah... Is this really the best they can do? Would be interested in who came up with these designs, colors and names... the summer intern?
I ended by saying they should hold a competition to get much better options.
Well... damn.
One thing about the Downtown Vision Statement:
QuoteDowntown Jacksonville is a collection of neighborhoods knit together by a celebrated history, a spirit of rejuvenation and a proximity and access to the city's St. Johns riverfront. The growing emphasis on exploration by bike and on foot has given downtown the feeling of a place built for people—and not just one kind of person, but all the people who call Jacksonville home—young and old, tech worker and city worker, startup and corporate office.
While each neighborhood offers residents and visitors its own particular atmosphere and personality, the whole of downtown has become synergistic and seamless. The riverfront has come to life and brought the life of downtown back with it – an invitation for residents and visitors to wander through the historic richness, vibrancy and variety of downtown.
Notice the complete lack of anything about "digital infrastructure" or "innovation" or really any of the reasons JTA are trying to justify the U2C with?
Even putting that aside... this is kind of a nothing statement, isn't it? There are a lot of words here, but it doesn't really say much of anything.
The logos are... painfully bland, honestly. They do nothing to make me think downtown is worth driving out of the suburbs for, much less a distinctive brand that would be representative of "a global leader in digital innovation" or really a leader in anything. The LaVilla and Brooklyn logos are the least worst, I guess, but I don't think that should say much.
I gave an 8 to the DT Jax logo with the buildings. I was not supportive of the rest. Why is this what we're spending our time and money on?
I liked and supported several of them. NoCo and SoBa were not among those. Talk about amateur hour.
Meanwhile, the Laura Street Trio, VyStar garage, Jones Furniture Building, Ambassador Hotel, Independent Life Building, Jacksonville Landing, Ford on Bay, Federal Reserve Building, Baptist Convention Building, First Baptist campus, Jacksonville Shipyards, Lot J, Times-Union/Morris property, Berkman II, and District remain undeveloped.
The DIA has gleefully championed the demolition of the old Courthouse, City Hall Annex, Jacksonville Landing, Hart Bridge Ramps, Doro Fixtures, and soon to be River City Brewing Company, while allowing the old Greyhound station to be illegally replaced with a surface parking lot with no consequence.
They've failed on the convention center RFP. Failed on the Ford on Bay RFP. Failed on the LaVilla townhouse RFP. Spinelessly executed Curry's back-of-the-napkin plan for the Landing RFP.
One of the wealthiest men on the planet chanced upon having a vested interest in downtown Jacksonville with his purchase of the Jags, and for TEN YEARS the DIA has been unable to break ground on anything at the Shipyards in conjunction with Khan.
They've failed on their promise to return the streets to two-way, they've been clowned by the MOSH, and they've yet to take any stand whatsoever on the U2C.
Surely there's something better they can be doing with their time?
Quote from: Captain Zissou on May 20, 2021, 08:13:29 PM
I gave an 8 to the DT Jax logo with the buildings. I was not supportive of the rest. Why is this what we're spending our time and money on?
I mean, I think it's a fine idea to think about what Downtown should be as a brand. What people think of you matters. It's just that it should actually... mean something? Also maybe it's just me, but if nothing else all the neighborhood logos should include "JAX" somewhere in there, because from a social media era standpoint I don't know why "SoBa" or "NoCo" by itself would scream "oh, that's in Jacksonville" at all. I'd say if they're going to do a whole rebrand they should bring in an outside firm to think of something, and pair whatever they come up with with actual regulatory changes (zoning, planning, etc.) and
money to make that vision reality. And figure out how what JTA wants to do is going to fit with that.
Presumably this is separate from actual other stuff the DIA is focusing on, but man would it be nice to see them putting some effort into stuff like getting the convention center out of the terminal, especially now that JTA is at least giving lip service and pennies on the dollar to the prospect of rail. Seeing as the Spandrel concept appears to have just collapsed, it'd be great to see them consider a more rational convention center concept in P3 with the Hyatt.
I'm no designer, but a couple of more organic suggestions.
Bay Street, from JRTC to TIAA Bank Field.
(https://i.postimg.cc/760C3wj0/19105-BDA-4432-4224-B30-A-97171746-D227.png)
Liberty above Bay:
(https://i.postimg.cc/JzYBmTbD/48778-E83-9385-4051-8568-1-BCA2-DA106-D8.png)
The Northbank:
(https://i.postimg.cc/fLz4KvrC/1-FDDB5-AF-E1-EA-4-BFA-8-BF3-6267-B74-EB874.png)
Main, between Union and State:
(https://i.postimg.cc/9FV9BwmM/IMG-9726.jpg)
The Sports Complex:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hnmr3FCK/BAE6-E5-AF-C232-465-D-AB07-A6-E00-AB5-C2-F6.png)
Laura at Forsyth:
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPZL5pNT/6-BD31-EB8-A954-4-D93-8-D97-054-BB42-CD9-AF.png)
Ford on Bay/Old Courthouse area:
(https://i.postimg.cc/j54xq5Gg/D4563-F6-B-1644-4004-97-BA-4-D6276-EC1111.png)
Jacksonville Shipyards:
(https://i.postimg.cc/mggFvxFW/8151779-B-686-D-4-EB2-99-BE-21-F9-C6-CC764-A.png)
Now this is unique and iconic.
Love it! Great job, Ken FSU. You should offer your services to DIA!
I did note on their survey that I could see endless memes around "No-co:" Downtown and "No-Co-nstruction? "No-Co-mpleted projects?" No-Co-herent plan?" No-Co-nvention Center?" "No-Co-nsolidation promises kept?" "No-Co-ps?" "No-Co-mmon sense?" "No-Co-mplete streets?" For the uninitiated, they might think it means "No-Co-mpanies." You get the idea. Feel free to add your own.
I could see SoBa evolving into "So-Bad" one day. LOL.
NoCo and SoBa -- pretentious, generic, unrelatable nonsense dreaming of L.A. notoriety.
I liked the red theme for LaVilla and the serif-font, watery look for the Southbank. The yellow-on-black for the North Core, name notwithstanding, was cool but I'd prefer blue or green over yellow for the font.
I noticed the vision statements in the survey were less polished (in some cases, with poor grammar and typos) than the statements on the DIA website presented after the survey. I would have rated the vision statements substantially higher if they matched the DIA website's quality.
Edit: You know what is a pretty awesome logo for downtown? The Jaxson's logo.
Perfect! All I can say is...
This is an actual logo I had made for a neighborhood like Brooklyn, for a project that never came to fruition.
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1868395/brooklyn-jax-2.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1864096/brooklyn-jax-1.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
I'd gladly give the DIA this.... instead of the God-awful, generic and vomit-inducing garbage their politically-connected engineering firm came up with in order to make a quick buck.
I have others for LaVilla as well.
Quote from: jaxoNOLE on May 21, 2021, 12:42:37 AM
I noticed the vision statements in the survey were less polished (in some cases, with poor grammar and typos) than the statements on the DIA website presented after the survey. I would have rated the vision statements substantially higher if they matched the DIA website's quality.
They weren't vision statements at all. Vision statements are supposed to be forward looking and aspirational. These were just the current situation of each neighborhood, but glossing over anything negative. More has been destroyed than built in the north bank in the last 10 years, but we feel the best thing to move it forward is a re-branding campaign. Maybe we can do some cool lawn art to show off the logo on the 100+ acres of vacant land scattered throughout NoCo-mpetency.
Semi-related note. At the New Found Glory show I lucked into the VIP area where I happened to witness some things that really sickened me. First, I was enjoying a burger when a group of people started running toward me making a bit of noise. It was the head of DVI and some other city people clamoring to get to the gate as the mayor arrived. They were all deliriously excited and some had brought their kids and spouses to show support too. It was so bizarre to me that these people would rush to greet such a failed politician, but that's the culture he has developed. Kiss the ring or feel the wrath. Second, the mayor's lackeys were putting on a show of how not to act if you're a civil servant making $150k a year. Chugging beers, chest bumping, being obnoxious. This is the team that curry has selected and handsomely rewarded to keep this farce going. Seeing these things greatly upset me, but also were very revealing about the state of current city government.
I think if the city adopted policies that made these places desirable to live and work, then the people who lived and worked there would eventually adopt some endearing term for them.
Quote from: fieldafm on May 21, 2021, 08:56:36 AM
This is an actual logo I had made for a neighborhood like Brooklyn, for a project that never came to fruition.
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1868395/brooklyn-jax-2.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1864096/brooklyn-jax-1.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
I'd gladly give the DIA this.... instead of the God-awful, generic and vomit-inducing garbage their politically-connected engineering firm came up with in order to make a quick buck.
I have others for LaVilla as well.
Those are very nice, and far superior. Nicely done.
Quote from: JBTripper on May 21, 2021, 09:50:51 AM
I think if the city adopted policies that made these places desirable to live and work, then the people who lived and worked there would eventually adopt some endearing term for them.
That's the difference between setting neighborhoods up for success and letting their identity evolve organically, versus having somebody's grandparent watch a few episodes of Sex and the City and then arbitrarily try to rebrand the entire downtown core.
Love that Brooklyn logo, Mike.
Feels much more authentic than what was presented in the survey.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 20, 2021, 10:27:53 PM
I'm no designer, but a couple of more organic suggestions.
Bay Street, from JRTC to TIAA Bank Field.
(https://i.postimg.cc/760C3wj0/19105-BDA-4432-4224-B30-A-97171746-D227.png)
Liberty above Bay:
(https://i.postimg.cc/JzYBmTbD/48778-E83-9385-4051-8568-1-BCA2-DA106-D8.png)
The Northbank:
(https://i.postimg.cc/fLz4KvrC/1-FDDB5-AF-E1-EA-4-BFA-8-BF3-6267-B74-EB874.png)
Main, between Union and State:
(https://i.postimg.cc/9FV9BwmM/IMG-9726.jpg)
The Sports Complex:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hnmr3FCK/BAE6-E5-AF-C232-465-D-AB07-A6-E00-AB5-C2-F6.png)
Laura at Forsyth:
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPZL5pNT/6-BD31-EB8-A954-4-D93-8-D97-054-BB42-CD9-AF.png)
Ford on Bay/Old Courthouse area:
(https://i.postimg.cc/j54xq5Gg/D4563-F6-B-1644-4004-97-BA-4-D6276-EC1111.png)
Jacksonville Shipyards:
(https://i.postimg.cc/mggFvxFW/8151779-B-686-D-4-EB2-99-BE-21-F9-C6-CC764-A.png)
PLEASE tell me I can run these as an article.
This branding attempt is overall terrible. It seems like we're trying to manufacture authenticity.
^However, in the attempt to manufacture authenticity, it fails to capitalize on the authenticity that exists and promotes 1990s everyplace USA branding themes.
Why actually learn about our history when you can just Google logos and repurpose them? That's WAY easier to do to doing actual research.
Quote from: fieldafm on May 21, 2021, 08:56:36 AM
This is an actual logo I had made for a neighborhood like Brooklyn, for a project that never came to fruition.
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1868395/brooklyn-jax-2.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
(https://cdn.dribbble.com/users/372641/screenshots/1864096/brooklyn-jax-1.jpg?compress=1&resize=400x300)
I'd gladly give the DIA this.... instead of the God-awful, generic and vomit-inducing garbage their politically-connected engineering firm came up with in order to make a quick buck.
I have others for LaVilla as well.
Submit those to the DIA lol. The mock ups they presented were laughable. It looked like a Junior designer put those together. When I look at this logo you designed, it already 'feels' more like Jacksonville. The Brooklyn mock ups they presented honestly looked like something off a Brooklyn Nets T-Shirt.
That was my biggest critique, literally nothing about Jax's history is incorporated into any of these (aside from the one LaVilla one I saw).
Field, your Brooklyn logos are far superior to DIA's. It looks like DIA made their logos in Microsoft Word with Word Art ;D. Hard to believe any legitimate graphic designer would admit to making those.
And, yes, the "vision" statements are not vision statements. First, such statements are supposed to be concise and relatively short. You don't list a whole bunch of aspirational details in them. And, I say aspirational, as most everything they included does not come close to representing the current state of affairs. I told them they were creating false expectations that would only lead to disappointment by anyone who fell for them (assuming anyone bothered to actually read them) thus undermining their credibility (as if they had any now).
Quote from: Tacachale on May 21, 2021, 10:21:17 AM
PLEASE tell me I can run these as an article.
Have some more, Bill, courtesy my friend
Ben_UF who doesn't have friendships to maintain ;D
The Laura Street riverfront:
(https://i.postimg.cc/66cNtMkC/BCFDE37-E-8-C36-44-C0-8-C90-4-BDBB160-CD6-E.png)
Friendship Fountain:
(https://i.postimg.cc/X7b78nm3/771-D7-C2-B-16-CE-4541-9-F76-9-D97-FC1455-C5.png)
Metro Park North:
(https://i.postimg.cc/NjW3pSXv/D9958780-6617-4197-A7-C6-DEB5103-A5-D6-E.png)
The up-and-coming 10-block stretch between Catherine Street and Commodore Point:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sx20LkJG/E86883-E2-CB92-4-E3-B-83-CB-10796-B124282.png)
Our prestigious urban higher-ed institution:
(https://i.postimg.cc/NMtWwXbN/6-FE9-BF2-D-DB94-41-F4-BEA0-1-CE08916-DC18.png)
The place to be seen after big events:
(https://i.postimg.cc/4NFkhmNd/F27-E5788-D835-431-C-8-A68-7264-C48853-A4.png)
I hate to be negative, it's not who I am, but intent is obviously just to point out how foolish a rebranding effort is when there's so many other pressing issues downtown.
Logic says all hands should be on deck figuring out why urban cores all around you are flourishing while your downtown continues to look like the combination of a nuclear test site and a Midwestern prarie. When companies are fighting over themselves to relocate to other Florida cities but the cows are looking at your waterfront more lustfully than corporate executives and international investors, logos probably ain't the issue.
^ I'm truly disappointed in your lack of Comic Sans Ken_FSU, that would've been a gamechanger™
The JAX CLOWN ACADAMY is just to damn funny. Cannot stop laughing!
Ken, keep them coming! Sometimes, humor and satire make the point when nothing else will.
We need a few "overlays" of pictures of the Skyway. Surely, you and your buddy can come up with a few good zingers for the "savior of Downtown!"
Last thing I'll say on this rebranding thing is that it's so emblematic of how Jacksonville has operated for decades. So much time and so many resources exhausted on aspiration, and so little action, investment, or follow through resulting from it. We just hop from silver bullet to silver bullet, from steering committee to steering committee, from charette to charette, sending representatives on research trips from city to city, all ultimately resulting in nothing but conceptual ideas and endless naval-gazing before leadership changes and we start all over again.
First it's motorized skywalks. Then it's the Big Idea. Then it's working with Sleiman. Then it's the Shipyards. Then it's the Shipyards and Met Park. Then it's Lot J instead. Then it's back to Met Park and the Shipyards. Then it's Nodes. Then it's tearing down ramps. Then it's two way streets. Then it's a new convention center. Then it's let's not work with Sleiman let's tear down the Landing instead. Then it's Riverfront Parks Now. Then it's the Emerald Trail. Then it's clown cars. Then the mayor wants to throw $70 million back into the riverwalk between Berkman and Met Park again. Then it's rebranding. Then it's privatizing JEA, which falls through. Then it's giving Shad Khan a loan instead, which falls through. Then it's a gas tax. All the while economic cycles are coming and going.
What are we doing here? Where is this all getting us as a city?
It's the reason I don't want any City Council lifer, or even any established Jacksonville politician, leading this city post-Curry.
Same with the JTA.
Same with the DIA.
Hiring within clearly hasn't worked out.
We need more people in leadership with proven track records pushing other cities forward. Otherwise it's just going to be more musical aspirations for decades to come.
Hire a national firm to do an amazing master plan. Carve budget out of each year's CIP to execute on the master plan and maintain momentum. Put someone in charge of the DIA who has the connections and experience necessary to attract outside end-users and investors. Put someone in charge of JTA with a long range plan that stimulates TOD.
I just can't grasp why it's so hard for this city to simply follow the model that's worked everywhere else for hundreds of years instead of sending out wrecking balls, clown cars, and logos with no rhyme or reason.
Don't they have anything else better to do? Like fix downtown and the urban core? Well DIA? Answer us!!!
Reminds me of that South Park episode.
Yep, you can't make this shit up
I have some connections with the College of Journalism and Communications at UF. I'm considering trying to connect them with DIA to have some of the Communications Masters students take this downtown rebrand on as a capstone project. Does anyone know who would be the best contact to approach in DIA to make this happen?
I think this would be the type of project that's perfect for strengthening the Jax-UF connection, and a bunch of students couldn't do much worse than what's presented in the survey.
^ There are also web sites where you can crowd-source a great logo for only a few dollars (e.g. under $200). Tens of thousands of designers from all over the world can decide if they want to compete for your monetary award. If they have interest, they submit their logo design. You pick the winner from all those options. I understand that even Fortune 500 companies have used these sites with great outcomes.
Here is a link for a list of some such sites: https://www.tailorbrands.com/blog/logo-design-contest
QuoteReady to create a logo for your brand but aren't sure where to start?
Instead of relying on one designer or agency to create your logo, you can crowdsource the job by starting a logo design contest.
How does it work? Easy! Submit your logo design brief, and hundreds of professional designers will create a logo just for you. When the deadline is up, choose your favorite design, finalize it, and then it's yours.
If you decide to use a logo design contest, you'll find that one of its most significant advantages is the sheer number of ideas pouring in, with none of the hassles of waiting for one designer to create something you like.
There are plenty of companies out there that let you create a design contest, and we've put together a list for you of the best ones to check out.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 21, 2021, 02:01:13 PM
I just can't grasp why it's so hard for this city to simply follow the model that's worked everywhere else for hundreds of years instead of sending out wrecking balls, clown cars, and logos with no rhyme or reason.
Could it be that a more inclusive, community engaged and market driven approach to revitalization has not been the most important thing traditionally? Call me a cynic, but it seems in the past that downtown revitalization has become a play to play, politically connected game over the years. That's about the only logical reason I can come up with why we've refused to follow simple proven models over the years.
They know how to make a rebrand. They just don't know how to grow a brand. Anybody can keep rebranding and rebranding. But you have to grow and develop the brand. And that's really the most important part.
...aside from watching too much Seinfeld during the pandemic, I took the survey. Narratives were atrocious. Same with most of the logos. The Southbank and Lavilla colors and scheme seemed pretty good to me though.
Maybe Jacksonville should just be Jacksonville. If you tout the river as your front yard why in the hell would you bury saying Northbank and Southbank for downtown? Heck I liked saying Townbound to describe my direction on the Arlington Ex. Nice and homey. Call that small town and amateur if you want but at least it's real.
QuoteWe need more people in leadership with proven track records pushing other cities forward. Otherwise it's just going to be more musical aspirations for decades to come.
I believe that was tried with both the Convention/Visitor's Bureau and the DDA (the previous incarnation of DIA). I don't remember the name but someone from San Diego was hired to run the CVB and while they seemed capable, they saw the city wasn't making progress on the Convention Center (among other things) and moved on rather than stagnate their career. Paul Krutko was making major headway in bring residential to DT JAX back in the early 2000's (11 E., Carling, Parks @ the Cathedral, among others), then he was hired away to be Economic Development chief at a bigger city after being passed over for the same position in JAX.
You can bring in the superstar staff level people, but the city leadership is either going to impede them or drive them off, if they are not with the program too.
Quote from: vicupstate on May 22, 2021, 08:11:14 PM
I don't remember the name but someone from San Diego was hired to run the CVB and while they seemed capable, they saw the city wasn't making progress on the Convention Center (among other things) and moved on rather than stagnate their career.
Looked it up: John Reyes. Served as CEO of Visit Jacksonville (which is what the CVB is now) from 2005 to 2010 during Peyton's admin, left for Monterey County, California's CVB, spent nearly a decade in California and now is an SVP for Hawaii's VCB.
QuoteYou can bring in the superstar staff level people, but the city leadership is either going to impede them or drive them off, if they are not with the program too.
Yeah, in the end it all comes down to where the buck stops.
Scaring off top quality super star people, and/or forcing them out by not giving them what they need is evidence of the type and caliber of people we have here in Jax running our city government; and...the good ole boy network might have impeded prosperity and success in our city, but these newbies, most of whom are not even native Jaxson's, are doing an even worse job than the good ole boys by destroying our city and doing nothing to replace the destruction. Sheesh!!!
^ If you look at Curry's past picks for JEA, Kids Hope Alliance, the Housing Authority, Brian Hughes... Aside from nonsupporting and incompetent leadership at the top, we have failed to hire some first class national applicants that were interested in coming here in favor of beholden friends of the mayor. The failed results are predictable.
Even Lori Boyer... while coming into the her DIA job as an effective council person has mostly kissed the mayor's ring because she is a political appointment, not a professional one. Unfortunately, with Curry in office, I believe he has managed to effectively convert Nat Ford into more of a politician, than a professional, lately. Not sure about the other current authority figures, maybe the Port would be next on my list to think about.
Overall, its all about the Curry machine for now. That's enough to scare off any competent persons.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 22, 2021, 10:56:54 PM
^ If you look at Curry's past picks for JEA, Kids Hope Alliance, the Housing Authority, Brian Hughes... Aside from nonsupporting and incompetent leadership at the top, we have failed to hire some first class national applicants that were interested in coming here in favor of beholden friends of the mayor. The failed results are predictable.
Even Lori Boyer... while coming into the her DIA job as an effective council person has mostly kissed the mayor's ring because she is a political appointment, not a professional one. Unfortunately, with Curry in office, I believe he has managed to effectively convert Nat Ford into more of a politician, than a professional, lately. Not sure about the other current authority figures, maybe the Port would be next on my list to think about.
Overall, its all about the Curry machine for now. That's enough to scare off any competent persons.
Administratively, maybe, but parties on both side of the aisle have realized how easy it is to run against the non-transparency of the Curry administration. There are no legitimate coattails to ride.
Perhaps overcoming the politically incorrect President Jackson is just too much... We probably need to begin rebranding the city name from Jacksonville to... maybe Springfield... or Duval... :)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 23, 2021, 08:23:44 AM
Perhaps overcoming the politically incorrect President Jackson is just too much... We probably need to begin rebranding the city name from Jacksonville to... maybe Springfield... or Duval... :)
Maybe there's some kind of curse associated with that man, or the name. The name Duval suits me just fine; after Florida's first Governor William Pope Duval. Or...Duvalton, or, Duval City.
^ Really, we should name the city after the first inhabitants to live here, the Timucua. From Wikipedia, the name they had for what is now Jacksonville is
Saturiwa. The larger area was known as the
Mocama (Timuca for "ocean") Province. Either name might be a good choice for Jacksonville if it went through a name change. There are many city and state names derived from Native Americans so this would just be another example of that.
Another benefit of picking such a name is that, aside from having a real historical connection to the area (Andrew Jackson never stepped foot in Jacksonville), there wouldn't be a half dozen or more cities with the same name. We would have a unique identity and it would give us a fresh start on building a new brand and image sans the baggage of our often less than illustrious history.
QuoteThe largest and best known of the eastern Timucua groups were the Mocama, who lived in the coastal areas of what are now Florida and southeastern Georgia, from St. Simons Island to south of the mouth of the St. Johns River.[26] They gave their name to the Mocama Province, which became one of the major divisions of the Spanish mission system. They spoke a dialect also known as Mocama (Timucua for "Ocean"), which is the best attested of the Timucua dialects. At the time of European contact, there were two major chiefdoms among the Mocama, the Saturiwa and the Tacatacuru, each of which had a number of smaller villages subject to them.[27]
The Saturiwa were concentrated around the mouth of the St. Johns in what is now Jacksonville, and had their main village on the river's south bank.[28] European contact with the Eastern Timucua began in 1564 when the French Huguenots under René Goulaine de Laudonnière established Fort Caroline in Saturiwa territory. The Saturiwa forged an alliance with the French, and at first opposed the Spanish when they arrived. Over time, however, they submitted to the Spanish and were incorporated into their mission system. The important Mission San Juan del Puerto was established at their main village; it was here that Francisco Pareja undertook his studies of the Timucua language. The Tacatacuru lived on Cumberland Island in present-day Georgia, and controlled villages on the coast. They too were incorporated into the Spanish mission system, with Mission San Pedro de Mocama being established in 1587....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timucua
Ken FSU my hat is off to you and the others who put forth the brilliant satirical and accurate graphics. Brilliant. You made my day, in the saddest and most hilarious way possible.
North-Core is starting to grow on me, but more as a lifestyle than a neighborhood. Hopefully the scenesters will join in. Since there are barely any bars or entertainment options on the northbank, it could become a haven for straight-edge rock supporters. Packs of teens and young adults blasting As I Lay Dying while riding around on scooters before a show at 1904. Skateboarders will flock to JWJ Park other than when the once monthly event is going on. We could open up a bodega that sells Liquid Death and other straight-edge focused items. I give you North-Core! XXX
In regard to NoCo and SoBa ---> Is the world really full of that many infantile wankers that they can't be bothered to use a word beyond 4 letters?
Quote from: Captain Zissou on May 24, 2021, 12:00:57 PM
North-Core is starting to grow on me, but more as a lifestyle than a neighborhood. Hopefully the scenesters will join in. Since there are barely any bars or entertainment options on the northbank, it could become a haven for straight-edge rock supporters. Packs of teens and young adults blasting As I Lay Dying while riding around on scooters before a show at 1904. Skateboarders will flock to JWJ Park other than when the once monthly event is going on. We could open up a bodega that sells Liquid Death and other straight-edge focused items. I give you North-Core! XXX
Hmmm...sounds like it has the potential to be a Minor Threat for Jax.
I prefer NoGo or NoNo
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on May 24, 2021, 08:41:08 PM
I prefer NoGo or NoNo
hahahah :)
Downtown North ---> DoNo
I took the survey and this is what I had to say in the comment box:
It's the freakin' Northbank. I grew up in Jax (multi-generational and now back for good), studied then lived in Atlanta for 6 years and San Francisco for 7. Because you (meaning COJ/DVI/DIA, etc) have gone there, I feel like I need to qualify my statement with those facts so that you understand that I am aware of "cool factor", and I'm not some so-called hayseed hick when I say this: we don't need to try to copy what other cities have done with these acronyms in order to be cool!
Very few cities have downtowns stretching across 2 riverBANKS. It makes total sense and lends its own sense of cool to just continue with Northbank and Southbank, and makes us truly unique and authentic. We are trying too hard here and it's painfully obvious. The renaming of the place is far less important than fixing the place up and encouraging more businesses and residents to take up shop downtown.
Get the Trio done. Quit demolishing cool, unique buildings that could be repurposed but never replaced. Just don't rename the place - that's a waste of time and money and is incredibly stupid.
Wow, there was a Southbank one as well. My thoughts:
Again, why are we trying to have acronyms here? It feels like such a "copy" of other cities, and about a decade or two too late. There is nothing wrong with calling it the Southbank. At this point, with SoBa apartments up and signage along 95, if you call the whole area "SoBa", are we naming the neighborhood after an apartment building? I mean come on, this is just ridiculous.
Southbank is actually pretty cool and try finding me another "southbank" in America on the scale of ours.
I lived in SF for 7 years. One of its most prominent neighborhoods was Soma, as in South of Market. For Jacksonville to RENAME a neighborhood already named for its geographic setting (Southbank is descriptive), simply to get ourselves a fancy "cool" acronym, feels fake and stupid as hell. For those of us who have lived in cities with similarly sounding acronym'd neighborhoods, such as Soma, it's not where we should be devoting attention.
Please quit trying, you're trying too hard!
Quote from: Captain Zissou on May 20, 2021, 08:13:29 PM
I gave an 8 to the DT Jax logo with the buildings. I was not supportive of the rest. Why is this what we're spending our time and money on?
I felt the same way!
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 21, 2021, 10:02:32 AM
Quote from: JBTripper on May 21, 2021, 09:50:51 AM
I think if the city adopted policies that made these places desirable to live and work, then the people who lived and worked there would eventually adopt some endearing term for them.
That's the difference between setting neighborhoods up for success and letting their identity evolve organically, versus having somebody's grandparent watch a few episodes of Sex and the City and then arbitrarily try to rebrand the entire downtown core.
Love that Brooklyn logo, Mike.
Feels much more authentic than what was presented in the survey.
THIS! LOLOLOL
Also, loved your rebrands. They were much better and honestly, would generate the kind of buzz these people seem to be looking for.
Quote from: bl8jaxnative on May 25, 2021, 09:34:17 AM
Quote from: jcjohnpaint on May 24, 2021, 08:41:08 PM
I prefer NoGo or NoNo
hahahah :)
Downtown North ---> DoNo
Hilarious! Y'all are obviously way better at this than the paid professionals.
SoBa is unoriginal (and is a Japanese noodle per a Google search). NYC has Soho (south of Houston St.) and Miami Beach has SoFi (south of Fifth St.). I think this idea is worn. Southbank is fine. North San Marco might be another option.
I'm not sure what's wrong with Northbank and Southbank? They are just as authentic and original as any other name one can come up with. The alternative names NoCo and SoBa are a bit of trying too hard with not enough true community oriented public engagement.
Quote from: thelakelander on May 26, 2021, 12:48:08 PM
I'm not sure what's wrong with Northbank and Southbank? They are just as authentic and original as any other name one can come up with. The alternative names NoCo and SoBa are a bit of trying too hard with not enough true community oriented public engagement.
Bill absolutely nailed it in his piece as well about how when you change from Northbank and Southbank to NoCo and SoBa, you are effectively divorcing the identities of both from the river. I hadn't thought about this, but after reading it, the rebranding would be even more insane and counterproductive as it would disassociate both areas from their strongest asset.
It's kind of the opposite of what Preston Hollow did, switching from the generic, nondescript District to RiversEdge.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 26, 2021, 01:15:36 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on May 26, 2021, 12:48:08 PM
I'm not sure what's wrong with Northbank and Southbank? They are just as authentic and original as any other name one can come up with. The alternative names NoCo and SoBa are a bit of trying too hard with not enough true community oriented public engagement.
Bill absolutely nailed it in his piece as well about how when you change from Northbank and Southbank to NoCo and SoBa, you are effectively divorcing the identities of both from the river. I hadn't thought about this, but after reading it, the rebranding would be even more insane and counterproductive as it would disassociate both areas from their strongest asset.
It's kind of the opposite of what Preston Hollow did, switching from the generic, nondescript District to RiversEdge.
What's crazy to me is they clearly understand how important the river connection is, considering how many times they mentioned it in the vision statements, but they still moved to use names that remove the river reference. Just bad marketing.
As Charlie Brown would say, "Aaaargh!" Looks like DIA snookered the media now to call it the North Core. Check this headline and article out today:
QuoteInterior demolition approved at North Core Independent Life Building
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/interior-demolition-approved-at-north-core-independent-life-building
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 27, 2021, 11:03:56 AM
As Charlie Brown would say, "Aaaargh!" Looks like DIA snookered the media now to call it the North Core. Check this headline and article out today:
QuoteInterior demolition approved at North Core Independent Life Building
https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/interior-demolition-approved-at-north-core-independent-life-building
Wow. The DIA must have genuinely wanted public feedback on the rebranding when this pops up just 7 days after the survey seeking said feedback opened up. Seeing the reference used in context, it's even more obvious "North Core" does not naturally imply the building is only a block from the river.
It sounds even worse now that it's being used in the real world. The name "North Core" at it's core just does not sound like an appealing place. I don't know if it's the association with the core of a nuclear reactor, but it just sounds like an industrial place. In addition to all the issues with it raised here and in Bill's article, there is also a fundamental geographic issue with the name itself. The name implies that there is either a central core (and this is the northern extension of it) or there are multiple cores and this is the northernmost one. A more apt name would be the Historic Core. If you wanted to be ridiculous and give it a four letter moniker, HiCo at least has positive connotations and is better than NoCo.
(https://i.imgflip.com/5b6nbu.jpg)
^In the Daily Record's defense, they are using "North Core" in a different context than the DIA.
And, in a context that makes more sense.
Follow me here...
In typical Jax fashion, there are actually two separate "North Core" rebrands competing with each other.
About a year ago, a handful of development groups with downtown projects nearby each other - JWB, Augustine Group, the Wiss family, and ACE - decided to try to rebrand and market ~18-blocks well away from the river as "North Core." Roughly Duval to State, and Broad to Main.
This pre-established development zone is the "North Core" that the Daily Record is referring to, which includes Augustine's Independent Life project.
The DIA's new North Core/NoCo branding - a separate thing entirely - includes the entirety of the Northbank/CBD.
HOPEFULLY the DIA consulted with the city's largest collection of active downtown developers before aping their name wholesale.
Butyaneverknow.
^Hard to keep up sometimes. Thanks for pointing that out.
The North Core makes a lot more sense for that other group. It literally it is the northern part of the Downtown core or historic core. I still don't think it's a very sexy name, but at least is logical.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on May 27, 2021, 02:42:23 PM
^In the Daily Record's defense, they are using "North Core" in a different context than the DIA.
And, in a context that makes more sense.
Follow me here...
In typical Jax fashion, there are actually two separate "North Core" rebrands competing with each other.
About a year ago, a handful of development groups with downtown projects nearby each other - JWB, Augustine Group, the Wiss family, and ACE - decided to try to rebrand and market ~18-blocks well away from the river as "North Core." Roughly Duval to State, and Broad to Main.
This pre-established development zone is the "North Core" that the Daily Record is referring to, which includes Augustine's Independent Life project.
The DIA's new North Core/NoCo branding - a separate thing entirely - includes the entirety of the Northbank/CBD.
HOPEFULLY the DIA consulted with the city's largest collection of active downtown developers before aping their name wholesale.
Butyaneverknow.
The need for this explanation kind of highlights one of the core (sorry, couldn't resist) shortcomings of the rebranding attempts. Logical or not--and competing rebrands notwithstanding--the name doesn't immediately resonate with locals as a definitive area. Northbank, Southbank, LaVilla, Brooklyn, Eastside, Springfield, etc. -- a lot of people intuitively understand where these places are. North Core, not so much.
^Yes, that's the problem. They clearly just bogarted the name from the Duval-State Street developers, stretched it to cover the entire Northbank, and then tried to shorten that to NoCo before the name was even in use. It's a textbook example of contrived, out of touch marketing.
I've always felt that more important than this rebranding is better wayfarer signs on the 95 and the 10. Each district would be represented by a color and then those colors would be on the appropriate exit(s) and local street signs as needed. Also listed would be major locations that residents/visitors are looking for.
As an example the Sports District could be teal and list TIAA, Vystar, Baseball Grounds, Met Park (opps sorry). All exits and street signs identified with a teal square.
Northbank - Red -Performing Arts Center, Welden Park, Library, Government Offices, Landing (opps sorry)
Southbank - Blue - Baptist, MD Anderson, San Marco
Lavilla - Yellow - JTA Transportation Hub, Amtrak (opps sorry), Ritz
Brooklyn - Orange - Cummer, 5 Points, Riverside, St. Vincent's
I believe this will help promote these areas and provide assistance to find locations for both locals and visitors.
Quote from: jaxjags on May 28, 2021, 01:07:50 PM
I've always felt that more important than this rebranding is better wayfarer signs on the 95 and the 10. Each district would be represented by a color and then those colors would be on the appropriate exit(s) and local street signs as needed. Also listed would be major locations that residents/visitors are looking for.
As an example the Sports District could be teal and list TIAA, Vystar, Baseball Grounds, Met Park (opps sorry). All exits and street signs identified with a teal square.
Northbank - Red -Performing Arts Center, Welden Park, Library, Government Offices, Landing (opps sorry)
Southbank - Blue - Baptist, MD Anderson, San Marco
Lavilla - Yellow - JTA Transportation Hub, Amtrak (opps sorry), Ritz
Brooklyn - Orange - Cummer, 5 Points, Riverside, St. Vincent's
I believe this will help promote these areas and provide assistance to find locations for both locals and visitors.
I'm all for better wayfinding in the downtown area. However, the colors would likely run into problems due to highway signage standards.
I can't find it right now, but I have seen articles where exceptions were granted for wayfinding signs. Would have to work with FDOT to get it done.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on May 24, 2021, 03:15:48 AM
^ Really, we should name the city after the first inhabitants to live here, the Timucua. From Wikipedia, the name they had for what is now Jacksonville is Saturiwa. The larger area was known as the Mocama (Timuca for "ocean") Province. Either name might be a good choice for Jacksonville if it went through a name change. There are many city and state names derived from Native Americans so this would just be another example of that.
Another benefit of picking such a name is that, aside from having a real historical connection to the area (Andrew Jackson never stepped foot in Jacksonville), there wouldn't be a half dozen or more cities with the same name. We would have a unique identity and it would give us a fresh start on building a new brand and image sans the baggage of our often less than illustrious history.
QuoteThe largest and best known of the eastern Timucua groups were the Mocama, who lived in the coastal areas of what are now Florida and southeastern Georgia, from St. Simons Island to south of the mouth of the St. Johns River.[26] They gave their name to the Mocama Province, which became one of the major divisions of the Spanish mission system. They spoke a dialect also known as Mocama (Timucua for "Ocean"), which is the best attested of the Timucua dialects. At the time of European contact, there were two major chiefdoms among the Mocama, the Saturiwa and the Tacatacuru, each of which had a number of smaller villages subject to them.[27]
The Saturiwa were concentrated around the mouth of the St. Johns in what is now Jacksonville, and had their main village on the river's south bank.[28] European contact with the Eastern Timucua began in 1564 when the French Huguenots under René Goulaine de Laudonnière established Fort Caroline in Saturiwa territory. The Saturiwa forged an alliance with the French, and at first opposed the Spanish when they arrived. Over time, however, they submitted to the Spanish and were incorporated into their mission system. The important Mission San Juan del Puerto was established at their main village; it was here that Francisco Pareja undertook his studies of the Timucua language. The Tacatacuru lived on Cumberland Island in present-day Georgia, and controlled villages on the coast. They too were incorporated into the Spanish mission system, with Mission San Pedro de Mocama being established in 1587....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timucua
Wow! The Mocama name just popped up a Times Union article. Some neat finds re: our first area residents, the true founders of present day Jacksonville:
QuoteUNF archaeologist: 'No doubt' that digs have found ancient coastal Native American village
A University of North Florida archaeologist is now certain that a rich site for ancient artifacts, deep in the jungles of Big Talbot Island, is the lost Native American settlement of Sarabay, a once-thriving village mentioned in French and Spanish documents from as far back as the 1560s.
"No doubt we have a 16th-century Mocama community," said Keith Ashley, referring to the name the Spanish gave the local residents who lived here long before Europeans arrived.
Ashley has had suspicions since 1998 that he'd found Sarabay, when he and students began digging on Big Talbot. Now, generations of students later, he's sure: There's just too much evidence.
Evidence such as European documents that mention Sarabay's island location and its distance from a French settlement and a later Spanish mission. And evidence such as the hundreds of bags of artifacts found at the site — Mocama pottery, Spanish pottery, bone, charred corn — that are stored at a UNF lab.....
https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/campus/2021/06/04/unf-archaeologists-find-ancient-16th-century-native-american-village/7529814002/
Quote from: jaxjags on May 28, 2021, 01:07:50 PM
I've always felt that more important than this rebranding is better wayfarer signs on the 95 and the 10. Each district would be represented by a color and then those colors would be on the appropriate exit(s) and local street signs as needed. Also listed would be major locations that residents/visitors are looking for.
As an example the Sports District could be teal and list TIAA, Vystar, Baseball Grounds, Met Park (opps sorry). All exits and street signs identified with a teal square.
Northbank - Red -Performing Arts Center, Welden Park, Library, Government Offices, Landing (opps sorry)
Southbank - Blue - Baptist, MD Anderson, San Marco
Lavilla - Yellow - JTA Transportation Hub, Amtrak (opps sorry), Ritz
Brooklyn - Orange - Cummer, 5 Points, Riverside, St. Vincent's
I believe this will help promote these areas and provide assistance to find locations for both locals and visitors.
A name and a color. There's something to said for K.I.S.S. Well done.
I participated in a meeting involving DIA, COJ, and FDOT many (many many) years ago about Downtown Wayfinding. They were looking at adding pedestrian- and auto- oriented wayfinding signs throughout the Northbank and Southbank. A key element was a different color for the different sections of the Northbank, and the Southbank. As I recall, there were a couple meetings, some proposed designs, and - in true Jacksonville fashion - nothing.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 07, 2021, 08:50:54 PM
I participated in a meeting involving DIA, COJ, and FDOT many (many many) years ago about Downtown Wayfinding. They were looking at adding pedestrian- and auto- oriented wayfinding signs throughout the Northbank and Southbank. A key element was a different color for the different sections of the Northbank, and the Southbank. As I recall, there were a couple meetings, some proposed designs, and - in true Jacksonville fashion - nothing.
I nominate the street color schemes on the Monopoly board. You always knew where you were by the color - no need to read the words on the board or the deed cards. :P
Again, it seems like the relatively simple and inexpensive things that can be done to improve DT for both locals and visitors are ignored. I think if someone in power at JTA or City Hall worked with FDOT, interstate signs could also be developed. Sometimes it just takes a little effort and time. But no, as we are always looking for the game changer.
Currently at the DIA's meeting to present the updated "master plan".
They've kept and lightly updated the LaVilla logo, changed the Brooklyn logo, mildly revised the Southbank logo (and dropped SoBa), and NoCo has been rebranded as...
drumroll
City Center.
Also the Cathedral District is now Cathedral Hill.
They also have polling claiming that people like these names. (90% acceptance for City Center)
^ LOL. In Philadelphia, they call it "Center City."
It certainly beats NoCo. Now, if only Downtown can become a real "city" to deserve the moniker.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 09, 2022, 06:21:01 PM
Currently at the DIA's meeting to present the updated "master plan".
They've kept and lightly updated the LaVilla logo, changed the Brooklyn logo, mildly revised the Southbank logo (and dropped SoBa), and NoCo has been rebranded as...
drumroll
City Center.
Also the Cathedral District is now Cathedral Hill.
They also have polling claiming that people like these names. (90% acceptance for City Center)
The logos are the worst part of all of this. I mean City Center? Whatever on that. Cathedral Hill is a reach based on topography.
Plus I ask again: How - on earth - did the names and logos of the parts of downtown rise to the top of Downtown's needs?
I was polled. I did ask why this was a priority as branding isn't an issue, a lack of vibrancy is. I didn't care either way for city center but did not like noco. Overall, none of it moves us where we really need to go.
After the middling response to the first attempt at neighborhood rebranding (carried out by a partner who wasn't particularly familiar with Jax), the DIA brought in Jacksonville's top ad agency (who's been seated in the CBD for almost 20 years; I hear they're pretty rad) to conduct focus groups, develop a second round of concepts, and (legitimately) survey local residents on the names and logos.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2022/01/10/downtown-jax-branding-2.html
Can never please everyone, but I *personally* think it's a huge improvement over what was originally presented.
City Center is rather bland but it's a lot better than NoCo. At least it tells you know what it is right away.
Quote from: Ken_FSU on February 10, 2022, 01:15:42 AM
After the middling response to the first attempt at neighborhood rebranding (carried out by a partner who wasn't particularly familiar with Jax), the DIA brought in Jacksonville's top ad agency (who's been seated in the CBD for almost 20 years; I hear they're pretty rad) to conduct focus groups, develop a second round of concepts, and (legitimately) survey local residents on the names and logos.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2022/01/10/downtown-jax-branding-2.html
Can never please everyone, but I *personally* think it's a huge improvement over what was originally presented.
Maybe you can help me out with this one. I'm still lost on what we're expecting to achieve with this effort in general. Maybe I'm not getting it, but I've never viewed "branding" in the term of renaming neighborhoods as a major need when it comes to achieving vibrancy.
Here's my thing - Did Dalton (who I have no issue with BTW) take any historic reference on the images?
Example: Let's say that in a print ad there was a music venue in LaVilla that always wrote LaVilla in a certain font. That would be a cool historic tie that I could get behind as it's a callout to the neighborhood's history.
^Not to say that this was not done but I didn't see that in what I was shown. Honestly, I was just happy that there was no attempt to call the neighborhood some other name by a group of people who weren't around to truly know the neighborhood's history, story or culture.
LaVilla already has a brand that is unique and a historical story that can't be replicated. We just need to rebuild, restore and revitalize around that legacy and the rest will take care of itself. Taking care of itself, basically means no matter what happens with this particular branding effort, a brand of its own and by the people really invested in the community will naturally evolve into ways that we can't really imagine today.
Quote from: marcuscnelson on February 09, 2022, 06:21:01 PM
They also have polling claiming that people like these names. (90% acceptance for City Center)
Like Lake, I was also polled. I thought City Center and many of the others were acceptable. Much of the polling was on text design/color. I noted that too much time was being spent on name/font/color.
Quote from: jaxlongtimer on February 09, 2022, 07:35:42 PM
^ LOL. In Philadelphia, they call it "Center City."
It certainly beats NoCo. Now, if only Downtown can become a real "city" to deserve the moniker.
well to be exact, all of Philly downtown is Center City. There are of course neighborhoods/districts like Rittenhouse Square, Society Hill, Market East, etc.
Quote from: thelakelander on February 10, 2022, 09:13:00 AM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on February 10, 2022, 01:15:42 AM
After the middling response to the first attempt at neighborhood rebranding (carried out by a partner who wasn't particularly familiar with Jax), the DIA brought in Jacksonville's top ad agency (who's been seated in the CBD for almost 20 years; I hear they're pretty rad) to conduct focus groups, develop a second round of concepts, and (legitimately) survey local residents on the names and logos.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2022/01/10/downtown-jax-branding-2.html
Can never please everyone, but I *personally* think it's a huge improvement over what was originally presented.
Maybe you can help me out with this one. I'm still lost on what we're expecting to achieve with this effort in general. Maybe I'm not getting it, but I've never viewed "branding" in the term of renaming neighborhoods as a major need when it comes to achieving vibrancy.
If only fixing downtown's problems were as simple as changing the signs on the light poles.
While I like the branding work and respect the effort that went into it, it won't fix the one-way streets, endless surface parking lots and grass fields, antiquated outdoor dining/drinking regulations, derelict buildings, office towers that don't interact with the sidewalks, etc.
You can roll out new uniforms for the 3-14 Jags, but it ain't gonna fix the fundamental problems with the team...
Not sure whether it was pointed out that the DIA appears to have officially made the district changes (https://dia.coj.net/About-Downtown/Where-is-Downtown), along with the included descriptors:
(https://dia.coj.net/getmedia/1a34f445-949f-4c28-96da-9184e50f78ba/Downtown-Overlay-Districts_New-Names.aspx?width=850&height=548)
QuoteDowntown is made up of eight districts that flank the St. Johns River's Northeastern curve on both sides: Brooklyn, LaVilla, City Center, NorthCore, Cathedral Hill, Sports & Entertainment, Working Waterfront and Southbank. Each district offers a unique, captivating history. The map above illustrates the boundaries of each Downtown district.
BROOKLYN
Modern and colorful, Brooklyn connects LaVilla and City Center to the historic Riverside neighborhood and Five Points shopping and entertainment district. Home to major corporate headquarters such as Haskell, Black Knight Financial and FIS, Brooklyn offers an ideal location for businesses and residents alike. The district has a mix of uses, including riverfront office, multi-family housing developments, condominiums, restaurants, retail and light industrial. The community enjoys plentiful river access, and with various major projects currently underway and strong economics, the Brooklyn district is well-positioned for continued growth and success.
LAVILLA
East of City Center, LaVilla is home to a rich cultural heritage. As Jacksonville's oldest suburb, LaVilla was known as the Harlem of the South and the epicenter of Black culture and commerce in Northeast Florida. The neighborhood also was home to an wide array of immigrant communities attracted by the economic potential of LaVilla's role as Jacksonville's railroad hub. LaVilla's vibrant music and entertainment scene attracted many nationally renowned artists who came to play at the local clubs on and off Ashley Street. In 1929, the Ritz Theatre opened, becoming both an important stop on the Chitlin' Circuit and LaVilla's primary performance venue. Following a decline in population and quality of life in the 20th Century, the River City Renaissance (RCR) Plan aimed to revitalize the area in the 1990s, making room for future development through the acquisition and clearing of many acres. Recently, redevelopment has returned in the form of new workforce housing and transportation projects. The 2019 LaVilla Neighborhood Development Strategy calls for a LaVilla Heritage Trail that will engage and educate the public on LaVilla's rich history and a Water Street road diet to connect the historic district to the riverfront.
CITY CENTER (Central Core Overlay District)
City Center encompasses many of Downtown's office towers, government services, regional non-profits and various art and cultural centers, making it the most concentrated area of focus for economic development on the Northbank. City Center's small walkable blocks are filled with historic architecture, cultural amenities and public art. The City of Jacksonville was founded on the riverbank of City Center, and iconic cultural centers like the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Florida Theatre are located in City Center. Today, work is underway to re-establish key riverfront properties and enhance Jacksonville's iconic skyline. The availability of several unique and historic properties provide significant opportunities for adaptive reuse.
NORTHCORE (formerly Church Overlay District)
Situated along the northern boundary of Downtown between City Center and the historic Springfield neighborhood, the NorthCore is on the threshold of a major transition. The area is experiencing a resurgence thanks to numerous adaptive reuse projects aimed at preserving the rich, historic building stock and at bringing residential, retail and a hotel to the district.
CATHEDRAL HILL
Anchored by five historic churches, Cathedral Hill connects City Center to the Sports & Entertainment District and is home to Billy Goat Hill, the highest point in Downtown Jacksonville. Beginning in 2016, the area has been championed by Cathedral District Jax-Inc. (CD-J) (https://cathedraldistrict-jax.org/), a nonprofit organized to foster growth as Jacksonville's Downtown neighborhood. CD-J created a master plan for the area to support development and revitalization efforts, including the continued support of the senior residents who call the district home via affordable, quality housing and amenities.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Sporting the biggest concentration of entertainment venues in the area, the Sports & Entertainment District is home to five sports teams, major concerts and much more. The district was once home to a thriving maritime industry, its riverfront lined with shipyards. Today, major mixed-use developments are under construction to bring residents, employees and visitors to the area.
WORKING WATERFRONT
The Working Waterfront sits on the eastern edge of Downtown beyond the Sports & Entertainment District. Home to the North Florida Shipyards, the district primarily supports industrial waterfront uses with a special district zoning overlay to accommodate the needs of shipping, lumber, concrete and oil businesses operating there.
SOUTHBANK
Home to tall riverfront office and residential towers, the Southbank sits between the St. Johns River and the San Marco neighborhood to the south. It features a wealth of hotels and premier medical campuses including Baptist Medical Center, Wolfson Children's Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Nemours Specialty Care center. The community enjoys plentiful riverfront access via the Southbank riverwalk, a boat ramp, kayak launch and River Taxi stops.
I didn't realize they'd formally given the NorthCore it's own district instead of merging it into City Center.
The departed Van Gogh and current King Tut exhibits are in the "NoCo Center"
Map peeve - whoever designed the DIA Overlay District map should have swapped the colors for Brooklyn and City Center. As presented, it is hard to tell where City Center ends and Sports and Entertainment begins, the colors are so close in shade.
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 15, 2023, 04:48:20 PM
The departed Van Gogh and current King Tut exhibits are in the "NoCo Center"
Map peeve - whoever designed the DIA Overlay District map should have swapped the colors for Brooklyn and City Center. As presented, it is hard to tell where City Center ends and Sports and Entertainment begins, the colors are so close in shade.
MAYBE THE COLORS BEING SIMILAR WAS INTENTIONAL BECAUSE THEY WANT THOSE TWO ZONES TO SOMEWHAT MERGE INTO ONE. IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THATS ALL ALONG THE RIVERFRONT.
Quote from: JaGoaT on June 15, 2023, 10:50:17 PM
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 15, 2023, 04:48:20 PM
The departed Van Gogh and current King Tut exhibits are in the "NoCo Center"
Map peeve - whoever designed the DIA Overlay District map should have swapped the colors for Brooklyn and City Center. As presented, it is hard to tell where City Center ends and Sports and Entertainment begins, the colors are so close in shade.
MAYBE THE COLORS BEING SIMILAR WAS INTENTIONAL BECAUSE THEY WANT THOSE TWO ZONES TO SOMEWHAT MERGE INTO ONE. IT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THATS ALL ALONG THE RIVERFRONT.
"They" - the DIA - created and named the zones, if They want them to be one zone, They could have done so.
We would end up with UrCo...
[/quote]
"They" - the DIA - created and named the zones, if They want them to be one zone, They could have done so.
[/quote]