According to one of the local merchants, the Jazz Festival--while widely hailed and welcomed by the merchants-- is overlooking one of the major logistical issues of holding the street festival.
For starters there will be no on street parking for anywhere near the event.
No vehicles including delivery will be allowed in the Jazz Festival area during the event itself.
The problem of course is that the majority of the parking lots which serve the residents at the Carling and other are within the street closure areas.
For the restaurants, it could be problematic to their regular customers since they will be unable to park near their businesses.
Downtown Vision sent out an email claiming that the residents parking in the Carling Parking Lot will be accomodated, but a check with the parking lot manager cast that in doubt.
According to the merchants, the parking lot manager had heard nothing of the sort.
Easy suggestions that might not have occurred to the logistics team.
For the reservations, a couple of golf caddies to ferry people from the peripheral parking lots to the restaurants.
And something concrete needs to happen for the residents.
And hopefully before chaos ensues.
I am a very devoted fan of the jazz festival since it's Mayport days. This is the first year that we have had very little advance publicity or coverage of performers. I'm not getting a good feeling that anyone knows what is going on (or cares).
Wouldn't a simple solution include...
Obviously allowing residents of the Carling to park in their lot.
Giving special street parking passes to owners of businesses in the affected area. They would be allowed to park on the street in areas like Monroe between Main and Laura, Adams between Main and Laura, etc. I understand no parking along Laura street as that will be a major walkway for jazz fans.
I would also hope the city parking garage behind the new annex building would be open because that will be close parking and they will make a good profit on that garage.
It would also be a great idea to have the potato chip trolly make a loop from say the new courthouse parking garage to Hemming plaza then to Omni and back around.
I did like how they promoted the skyway in their very well done promotional flier.
One of the problems with city hall is that there are a lot of people getting paid large salaries, who can't handle the job. That's why it is a bad idea to hire your friends.
I would hope that all of the local news stations would spend this week giving a great deal of info, logistics and promotion to the event. We also have to understand the event is free so trying to keep overhead low is good for the taxpayer. I understand why there isn't a lot of money for tv and radio advertising.
I'm kind of rambling, but just want this to work so badly. I'm crossing my fingers...
I'm with you there. Fingers crossed.
Quote from: brainstormer on May 17, 2009, 07:05:28 PM
Wouldn't a simple solution include...
Obviously allowing residents of the Carling to park in their lot.
Giving special street parking passes to owners of businesses in the affected area. They would be allowed to park on the street in areas like Monroe between Main and Laura, Adams between Main and Laura, etc. I understand no parking along Laura street as that will be a major walkway for jazz fans.
I would also hope the city parking garage behind the new annex building would be open because that will be close parking and they will make a good profit on that garage.
It would also be a great idea to have the potato chip trolly make a loop from say the new courthouse parking garage to Hemming plaza then to Omni and back around.
I did like how they promoted the skyway in their very well done promotional flier.
One of the problems with city hall is that there are a lot of people getting paid large salaries, who can't handle the job. That's why it is a bad idea to hire your friends.
I would hope that all of the local news stations would spend this week giving a great deal of info, logistics and promotion to the event. We also have to understand the event is free so trying to keep overhead low is good for the taxpayer. I understand why there isn't a lot of money for tv and radio advertising.
I'm kind of rambling, but just want this to work so badly. I'm crossing my fingers...
There probably is no TV advertising or or mass media promotion because there is no money. But I hope they pull this off because if they do, with resounding success, then it will probably be held downtown every year thereafter, which is a good booster shot in the arm for downtown.
Heights Unknown
all of the inormation, including parking, can be found right here
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/Jazz+Festival/Default.htm
and, no, I didn't go searching for it....it was a dircet link from www.jaxjazzfest.com which has been advertised for weeks
Ms. Hupp:
A commercial and resident vehicle ban within the Jazz Festival Area will not work and cannot stand. I need to supply my restaurant. Residents of the Carling Apartments need to have access to their garage on Monroe Street.
I suggest the following:
To accommodate the Carling Parking Garage, allow single lane westbound traffic on Monroe Street between Main Street and the Carling Garage entrance.
Arrange for a City golf cart shuttle so business owners can, at a location outside the Festival Area, offload supplies onto the golf cart, and ferry the supplies to their business. The golf cart should be manned by a City employee, and be made available at all times during the Festival with a single telephone call.
Without these two accommodations, we are headed for trouble.
Please advise.
Jerry Moran
Chef & Owner
La Cena Ristorante
211 N Laura St.
Once again, the City makes decisions without consulting with those the decisions affect.
All deliveries should be done in the morning prior to the Festival opening. The residents I know in the affected areas have already made parking arrangements from my understanding and all are thrilled that the Jazz Fest is at their front door. I guess you just can't please everybody, all the time. As for myself, we'll be two wheeling in from the Springy and taking advantage of the bike valets.
QuoteAll deliveries should be done in the morning prior to the Festival opening.
That's rather presumptuous. Should I telephone the clam diggers in Rhode Island and tell them we are having a Jazz Festival in Jacksonville, and they have to dig the clams faster so we can get them before Laura Street is closed on Thursday morning at 8 AM? It does not work that way. The clams arrive on Friday afternoons, period.
As of this moment, no tenant of the Carling or it's parking garage has been notified of any accommodation for the Festival. Carling management has stated they received a letter on Friday that access to the Monroe Street garage would be permitted from Main Street, and that an advisory is in the works. That's a step, albeit a late one, in the right direction.
Jerry, wouldn't the festival attendance be a good thing for your business?
Its been known for at least two months that the festival would be downtown....how hard would it be to have made special arrangements for deliveries? Or to have ordered larger quantities earlier in the week or the week before?
Planning is an oxymoron in this town.
If the temp is 85+ and humidity, can the breeze from the river be felt 6-8 blocks in from the river? Who's bright idea was it to put Jazz Fest in the park anyway? Jazz Fest belongs along the river. For pete's sake, they have the lovely JEA lot with all its grass, just begging for some attention, and the planners could only put it on concrete?
I can not believe what a bunch of whiners and naysayers you are. Stephen, you always complain that the city never does anything different and when they do you complain about it. And Jerry, instead of focusing of the amazing opportunity to showcase your restaurant to 100,000 people you whine about the logistical issues. A good businessman would just figure a way to work it out. And yes..it will not go off perfectly and there may be some significant issues but the vast majority of patrons will have a great event. And you will probably spend the entire time focused on whats wrong..not whats right. Sit back chill relax and enjoy for a change. Just my thoughts...
agreed!
Quote from: dganson on May 18, 2009, 06:52:31 PM
I can not believe what a bunch of whiners and naysayers you are. Stephen, you always complain that the city never does anything different and when they do you complain about it. And Jerry, instead of focusing of the amazing opportunity to showcase your restaurant to 100,000 people you whine about the logistical issues. A good businessman would just figure a way to work it out. And yes..it will not go off perfectly and there may be some significant issues but the vast majority of patrons will have a great event. And you will probably spend the entire time focused on whats wrong..not whats right. Sit back chill relax and enjoy for a change. Just my thoughts...
Is it really wrong for a business owner to first think about his business? I don't know the particular issues, but my first thought is how do other cities do it? We are not the only big city to do this, and most have a lot more merchants to deal with. If we are doing the same things other cities do, then so be it. However, if not, then perhaps they have a legit gripe.
Mr. Ganson, as you know, the most important thing in any downtown is the small businesses. With the limited amount of them we have, I think we should bend over backwards to accommodate them.
QuoteJerry, wouldn't the festival attendance be a good thing for your business?
Here's what would be good for my business:
1. Cut Taxes
2. Dissolve Downtown Vision and end the special property tax assessment levied on downtown properties.
3. Compel JSO to provide patrolling Peace Officers to prevent crime, and not merely react to and record, as happens now.
4. Prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages for off premises consumption until 5 PM.
5. Enact an ordinance to allow open containers of alcoholic beverage in public during special events.
6. End parking enforcement at 5 PM.
7. Relocate all downtown social service agencies and shelters to a remote location with shuttle service provided to clients.
8. Require that any weekday downtown show, concert, or play start no earlier that 8:15 PM.
It has always been my contention that if government would mind it's own business, then private enterprise could better mind it's own, and everyone would benefit.
QuoteI can not believe what a bunch of whiners and naysayers you are
Emailing the Office of Special Events with suggestions for how the Festival can be made better is hardly whining.
I wonder what would be posted if the City, acting in what it thought was the public's interest, decided to shut down the Landing's receiving dock during the festival, or enforced a temporary ban on deep fried food and 78/22 4 oz frozen hamburger patties because City Hall deems those items to be
unjazzlike? I have no problem with the Jazz Festival. In fact, it is a good idea to have it on Memorial Day Weekend, which is typically slow.
What I do have a problem with is that no definitive statement of proposed street closures was issued to merchants until the Office of Special Event's eleventh hour 05/11 email. Oh sure, a couple earlier hints of street closures were dropped, one in an email from OSE on 03/25, which was 6 days after I FAXed the hand delivered event application.
QuotePlease also note on the form if you get weekly deliveries and what days you normally get them, this will help our office plan ahead on who we need to work with to ensure all businesses receive the deliveries they need if there are any after the streets are closed. We’re still waiting to hear from JSO on how and which streets will be closed, when I have that information I will share it with you.
And another email from OSE dated 4/24:
QuoteOur office will also be sending out times and days of street closures shortly, we will work with you to ensure you get all deliveries you need.
I checked with the Carling's management this morning, and they only received word of the street closures on Friday. Yes, Monroe Street will be available to Carling Garage tenants. All this gives me reason to suspect the planning and execution ability of the Office of Special Events. Really, a project that is months in the making and we don't know what streets are going to be closed until less than 2 weeks before the show?
The last thing downtown merchants need is a bunch of know nothing, go home at 5 PM bureaucrats unilaterally deciding what is best for us, and dictating at the last moment how our businesses and lives are going to be conducted. My deliveries are not regular and I will be damned if I lay in a ton of fresh food and then get stuck with it like what happened to the vendors at the NFL Zone during Superbowl. At least most of their supplies were frozen, and they were able to unload it. I can't do that. I don't know what to expect, and need unfettered access to my premises in the event we need to restock. I can live with access to the Carling Garage, it's just a walk around the block with a hand truck. I wonder what the other guys are going to do.
wow...#1 (cut taxes) and #7 (move all social service agencies)....how do those go together?
And how about this...."government should mind its own business"...but also #8 (require all shows to start after 8:15pm).
Obviously you have some conflicting priorities...so I'm not sure how the City (or anyone else) could cater to your needs.
Quotewow...#1 (cut taxes) and #7 (move all social service agencies)....how do those go together?
And how about this...."government should mind its own business"...but also #8 (require all shows to start after 8:15pm).
Obviously you have some conflicting priorities...so I'm not sure how the City (or anyone else) could cater to your needs.
You just don't get it, do you?
guess not....please enlighten me (and the rest of us)
Does anyone know if the street closures started today? I'm wondering if I'm going to have an unexpected adventure on how to get back to the Carling when I get off of work at 5pm.
From the T-U:
QuoteHere's the list of streets closing for this weekend's Jacksonville Jazz Festival. All are scheduled to reopen midnight Sunday:
WEDNESDAY
- Forsyth Street from Main Street to Laura Street closed 6 p.m.
THURSDAY
- Laura Street from Duval Street to Adams Street closed 8 a.m.
- Laura Street from Adams Street to Independent Drive (leaving one lane open from Bay Street to Laura Street for access to the Modis Building) closed 6 p.m.
- Duval Street from Laura Street to Hogan Street closed 7 p.m.
- Adams Street from Main Street to Hogan Street closed 7 a.m.
- Forsyth Street from Laura Street to Hogan Street closed 6 p.m.
- Hogan Street from Water Street to the river closed 8 a.m.
- Sister Cities from Hogan Street to the cul-de-sac closed 8 a.m.
FRIDAY
- Monroe Street from Main Street to Laura Street closed 9 a.m.
- Monroe Street from Laura Street to Hogan Street closed 9 a.m.
- Bay Street from Main Street to Hogan Street (leaving one lane open from Bay Street to Laura Street for access to the Modis Building) closed noon.
- Independent Drive from Laura Street to Hogan Street closed 8 a.m.
I wish I had known about all of this prior to volunteering downtown. I have no idea how to get to a garage to park. This will be the last time I offer to volunteer.
With how it's been raining downtown the past few days, I wonder if they really expect people to come out for the festival. I'm a huge jazz fan and I live in the Carling. However, I won't even bother walking downstairs to stand out in the rain to listen to the music. I wonder if it was too late to reschedule the event. Seems like it's going to be disappointing on the number of people who will attend.
I don't see how much of anything can be done because of the rain. This is the worst rain I've seen here in years.
QuoteIs it really wrong for a business owner to first think about his business? I don't know the particular issues, but my first thought is how do other cities do it? We are not the only big city to do this, and most have a lot more merchants to deal with. If we are doing the same things other cities do, then so be it. However, if not, then perhaps they have a legit gripe.
Jazz fest should be in the heart of the city. That is where they should be. It should not move around very often either, IF it is in Hemming Plaza then that is perfect!! Owners of business should ALWAYS be made aware of special events in the area and should do biz accordingly. What Jacksonville is doing this year is what Atlanta did last year where it was held in the same type of location as Hemming Plaza, It was packed and all the places were packed. I went via train with some friends. Looks like Jax also can go via train this year. Should not be any parking issues. Just use the Skyway and enjoy the party.
Quote from: CrysG on May 20, 2009, 12:45:00 PM
I wish I had known about all of this prior to volunteering downtown. I have no idea how to get to a garage to park. This will be the last time I offer to volunteer.
um...try the courthouse garage...or the one at thye Omni...they should be rteally easy to get to
I was thinking along those lines until my husband pointed out I'd be walking about 10 blocks alone at 9 a night.
Not sure how it would be 10 - the length of the event is 5 (Hemming to Landing)
I never said I'd be volunteering with the Jazz Fest.
You can park at the prime osborne and use the skyway. Or try the kings avenue parking garage and skyway
The public library garage is only half a block from Hemming Plaza.
FYI
Special Announcement
Venue Changes for Friday Night Performances Due to Inclement Weather
Due to inclement weather, for Friday night only, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival performances that were scheduled to take place on two of the outdoor stages will be moved to the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts, 100 W. Water St.
Performances scheduled for the “Swingin’ Stage†(corner of Forsyth and Laura Streets) will be moved to the Moran Theater.
Performances scheduled for the “Groovin’ Stage†(Hemming Plaza) will be moved to the Terry Theater.
All other elements of the festival will still take place outdoors as planned. The performances scheduled for the “Breezin’ Stage†(the stage in The Jacksonville Landing courtyard) will also take place outdoors as planned.
Performances scheduled for Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, will be held outdoors as scheduled.
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/Jazz+Festival/Default.htm
Hopefully, the jazz fest will be a success. Why can't people utilize the skyway? During the Jag games I use it about 90% of the time and it works out great for me and the many others who use it.
the Jazz Festival is a huge success....there was a decent crowd this afternoon and it was/is packed this evening....there's probably 2,000+ people listenting to Roberta Flack at Laura/Forysth...plus another 1000+ in The Landing courtyard...and many more on the streets.
As for the Skyway, JTA is offering $5 parking at Kings Ave and the Convention Center with free skyway all weekend....there's a full page ad in the festival program.
Nice crowd tonight, especially for Roberta Flack. I'm glad the rain stopped for an extended period of time.
I was downtown both nights and I have heard nothing but positives, except for the weather, which finally did cooperate Sat. night. I hope the city sticks with this idea in the future because it will surely grow in popularity as time goes on. People loved having Laura street closed to traffic and the main stage on Forsyth was a huge hit. Hopefully as time goes on the Laura street trio gets developed and other shops and restaurants spring up in that part of downtown. There is a lot of civic pride when the city puts together something like this and we need more of this if we are ever to turn this city around.
At the same time, I hope the city reaches out to businesses, hotels and jazz fans for feedback, both negative and positive. Some thoughtful criticism can only make the festival better next year.
I parked at the convention center but avoided the $5 fee by parking on the street. Virtually no one was at the station... this was around 2 pm. Signs said skyway was free but turnstiles were locked... we proceeded up the exit stairs. I used the call button and spoke with an unenthused worker who said they would "send someone out" to unlock the turnstiles. Rode into a near empty Hemming plaza... I felt sorry for the vendors.
The crowds got bigger as the day wore on... the sun making longer appearances. By the end of the night it was pretty rockin... Rode the Skyway back and found a few more vehicles in the lot...
I really hope they do the Jazz Fest this way every year!
Other than the weather it was a great event. Using the Snyder Memorial Church was nice too. I think doing it downtown along Laura at a variety of venues really adds a lot of character to the event and is better than Metro Park anyday.
The Festival was a success overall. Too bad about the rain.
As a downtown resident and merchant, it is not something I would want in my neighborhood again, at least not north of Forsyth Street. The Festival caused considerable disruption to our lives. Street closures, meters bagged as early as Wednesday, checking audio amplifiers at 8 AM, booming music, and diesel generators stinking up the place did not make for a pleasant experience. One has to remember that people live here.
Who decided to park rented 25,000 watt diesel generators on each block to power about 500 watts of Tivoli lights? A 1000 watt propane powered generator would have been more economical and a hell of a lot cleaner.
The effect the Festival had on my business was a wash, and total sales for Friday and Saturday amounted to that of a mediocre weekend. That could be attributed in part to the constant rain, but street closures and the absence of nearby parking caused the cancellation of almost all previously made reservations, notably those of guests who were going to the Cirque (with a lousy 7:30 start time!). VIP referrals from the hotels also balked when they discovered they would have to walk to Laura St. Memorial Day Weekend is usually a slow period, so under ideal circumstances, the Festival would have probably caused a boost in patronage. I'll say that the rain was the spoiler.
The hysteria created by the Office of Special Event's late issue of a poorly annotated street closure schedule was quelled by Sergeant Propper of the JSO. Propper was charged with supervising the street closures. He worked closely with the merchants and residents, and if there were a problem with a delivery or vehicle within the Festival Area, all one had to do is utter the name "Propper", and all was good.
The Festival attendees were not particularly upscale, and by my observation, for the greater part were not interested in patronizing La Cena, Chew, or even the Magnificat Cafe. Rather, they swarmed the Gypsy street vendors that had appeared overnight, in lieu of the property tax paying brick and mortar merchants. My good neighbor Chamblin appeared to be the only anchored establishment that did a brisk Festival business, but then Chamblin does have a very broad appeal. Cafe Nola gave in to the masses, and offered various burgers, which in my opinion is shameful for Nola and the City. Is what we normally do so unpopular that we have to reduce ourselves to the lowest common denominator?
Next year? Keep the Festival south of Forsyth, and keep the streets north of Forsyth open so upscale visitors to Jackonville will have adequate access to Downtown Jacksonville's better homegrown venues.
Laura Street, Friday 6:30 PM
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3565038199_59d2ba966c.jpg?v=0)
Laura Street, Friday 8:30 PM
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3565038323_44e82cca6c.jpg?v=0)
Laura Street, Friday 11:15 PM
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3565855992_16d30c2e18.jpg?v=0)
That was a fair assessment, Jerry. Hopefully the event can better incorporate downtown's residents and merchants into its plans in the future.
We should remember not only was this the first time for this local it was a scramble to do so because of the mix up with Met Park. I am sure with a year to set up it could be carried off even better for everyone.
I think Jerry's assessment is fair, as it pertains to his business. Keep in mind that him and Chew are going for a different clientele (a bit more upscale than the middle if you will), and even though I love both restaraunts, after walking around for a few hours, I was a bit nasty, and didn't really want to go to either.
As far as the effect on businesses, I don't know if it was a fair weekend to measure effect, because of the weather on Friday and Saturday. Even though there was spots of dryness, because of the bad weather all over the area, I know a lot of people just said screw it to coming down here.
I was also trying to think of a better way then to put up those tents in front of businesses. If you want to put it in front of the eye doctor on Laura that is closed anyway on the Weekend, go ahead. However, I didn't like the tent on the street in front of Chambin's place.
How about this as a suggestion (tell me what you think):
Leave Adams, Monroe, and Duval St open. Close Laura St in between those streets, and just have people use (dare I say it) the crosswalks to cross those streets. The setups on these streets are nothing that couldn't have been moved. This would also allow Traffic to flow through. You'd have to close Forsyth because of the stage, and I don't know about Bay.
Agreed Stephen...from what I hear, Chew and NOLA did well.
To be perfectly honest Jerry....the Jazz Festival actually does draw a relatively upscale clientele....it is one of the most racially and ethnically diverse crowds you'll ever see in Jax.
How can 50,000+ visitors be considered anything but positive?
Steve has some good ideas. Why doesn't the City consult with the residents and merchants, rather than dictating terms from an ivory tower?
A conversation I had this evening with a limousine driver confirmed the incidental damage attributable to the City's poor planning and reluctance to tap local resources.
I've offered my assessment of the Festival. Many of you probably do not like what Dick Cheney has to say either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivory_tower)
QuoteHow can 50,000+ visitors be considered anything but positive?
50,000? Really? Is that in line with the 40,000 who visit the Riverside Market ever Saturday?
I never saw 50,000 people downtown, even when we had the Super Bowl.
that was the official estimate for the entire 3-day festival.....I would tell you that there were probably around 10,000 on Saturday night between all of the venues
Here's a pretty upbeat story from today's Daily Record:
Quote05/27/2009
by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Tuesday morning, life was getting back to normal Downtown following the holiday weekend and Laura Street’s temporary transformation into the scene of the three-day street party that was the 2009 Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
As merchants were getting back to business as usual, the superlatives concerning this year’s celebration of music, art and wine were the main topic of conversation in terms of both the show and the above average commerce the event delivered for businesses.
“The book store and the cafe both broke sales records Saturday and Sunday, so it was a record-setting weekend,†commented Ron Chamblin, owner of Chamblin’s Uptown. “We saw faces that we don’t see for Art Walk so I know a lot of new people have discovered we’re here.â€
Doug Ganson, owner of Karlene’s Deli, Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream and Sundrez at the Landing said, “It was great. The City did a fantastic job and the staff in the Special Events Department deserves to be commended.â€
Like other merchants, Ganson said he’s sure business would have been even better if the weather had cooperated with sunshine instead of overcast skies and the threat of passing rain showers. “But you can’t control the weather,†he added.
Even without perfect meteorology, the festival drew an enthusiastic crowd that strolled from Hemming Plaza to the Landing, stopping along the way to purchase food and beverages, patronize restaurants and shop in stores.
“Kudos to the City’s Special Events Department. They went all-out and it showed,†commented Downtown Vision, Inc. Executive Director Terry Lorince. “The venues worked really well and the festival was absolutely terrific.â€
While it’s difficult to get an accurate attendance figure at a non-ticketed event Lorince estimated the festival crowd based on DVI’s experience with tracking attendance at First Wednesday Art Walk.
“There had to have been at least 12,000 people at the festival at any given time and people were coming and going all day and into the evening, so 25,000 or more attendance would be a conservative estimate,†said Lorince.
Zodiac Grill owner Jerry Ewais also said the Jazz Festival brought a new crowd Downtown. As he watched people eating in his restaurant over the weekend, “I didn’t see many of my regulars. It was new faces who came to the festival,†he said. “It was very well-organized by the City and a great thing for Downtown.â€
Kirk Gonzalez owns Hemming Plaza Jewelers and said while the festival didn’t generate week-before-Christmas level sales, having the event Downtown and across the street from his display windows generated a lot of exposure for the business.
“People who don’t usually come Downtown saw the store and now they know we are here. There was lots of foot traffic and many people shopping. I’m already planning for next year. I think I’m going to create a special Jazz Festival item like a key ring or perhaps a bracelet with festival charms that can be added each year.
“Saturday night we closed the shop and I got a bottle of wine and walked around and listened to some jazz. I never did that when the festival was at Metropolitan Park,†said Gonzalez.
Quote from: blizz01 on May 27, 2009, 11:41:16 AM
Here's a pretty upbeat story from today's Daily Record:
Quote05/27/2009
by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Kirk Gonzalez owns Hemming Plaza Jewelers and said while the festival didn't generate week-before-Christmas level sales, having the event Downtown and across the street from his display windows generated a lot of exposure for the business.
“People who dont usually come Downtown saw the store and now they know we are here. There was lots of foot traffic and many people shopping. I'm already planning for next year. I think I'm going to create a special Jazz Festival item like a key ring or perhaps a bracelet with festival charms that can be added each year.
What a great idea! I bet he will sell a ton of them.
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 27, 2009, 04:16:59 AM
QuoteHow can 50,000+ visitors be considered anything but positive?
50,000? Really? Is that in line with the 40,000 who visit the Riverside Market ever Saturday?
I never saw 50,000 people downtown, even when we had the Super Bowl.
So I assume you do not consider the stadium downtown?
Also, it's a four day festival. They are not saying that 50,000 people came at one time, nor did 40,000 come at one time to the arts market.
And, yes 50,000 visitors is a good thing, however we get 60,000 at the stadum in the fall on 12 separate occasions, however does that REALLY do anything for downtown. A number is one thing. Capitalizing on that number is another.
Quote from: Steve on May 27, 2009, 01:10:31 PM
And, yes 50,000 visitors is a good thing, however we get 60,000 at the stadum in the fall on 12 separate occasions, however does that REALLY do anything for downtown. A number is one thing. Capitalizing on that number is another.
Correct, if they get ushered in and out as fast as possible, then who cares what the number is.
QuoteI never saw 50,000 people downtown, even when we had the Super Bowl.
Are you saying you didn't see 50,000 of 1 specific heritage of people... because without a doubt there was 50K downtown for the SB at one time.
QuoteAnd, yes 50,000 visitors is a good thing, however we get 60,000 at the stadum in the fall on 12 separate occasions, however does that REALLY do anything for downtown. A number is one thing. Capitalizing on that number is another.
Interesting, I think the Skyway would be a good way to keep the people in the area for a bit. I am not sure if there is a parking time limit, say the game ends at 4pm what time does all the cars actually have to leave? Lets say the East Leg of the Skyway was in place, if groups of people wanted to go to the landing after the game, they wouldnt have to get back in their cars, they could easily use the Skyway train to go to the landing via a Laura Street Station. They would bring the landing lots of cash, especially after a win. If I could leave my car where I parked it I would hang downtown if getting where I wanted to go was that simple. I could even take it a step further by saying say the Landing and Hemming Plaza gets too packed after the game, one could always hit up San Marco Square or Five Points via Skyway if those stations existed. People leave downtown after the game because there is nothing else to do after the game. Driving sucks, once people crank up the engine they are ready to go home and not hang out. Put em on the train and its easy to hang out.
Quote from: Coolyfett on May 27, 2009, 01:58:26 PM
QuoteAnd, yes 50,000 visitors is a good thing, however we get 60,000 at the stadum in the fall on 12 separate occasions, however does that REALLY do anything for downtown. A number is one thing. Capitalizing on that number is another.
Interesting, I think the Skyway would be a good way to keep the people in the area for a bit. I am not sure if there is a parking time limit, say the game ends at 4pm what time does all the cars actually have to leave? Lets say the East Leg of the Skyway was in place, if groups of people wanted to go to the landing after the game, they wouldnt have to get back in their cars, they could easily use the Skyway train to go to the landing via a Laura Street Station. They would bring the landing lots of cash, especially after a win. If I could leave my car where I parked it I would hang downtown if getting where I wanted to go was that simple. I could even take it a step further by saying say the Landing and Hemming Plaza gets too packed after the game, one could always hit up San Marco Square or Five Points via Skyway if those stations existed. People leave downtown after the game because there is nothing else to do after the game. Driving sucks, once people crank up the engine they are ready to go home and not hang out. Put em on the train and its easy to hang out.
I agree. If you had those sections done, on Saturday people could make a day of it. Go to RAM, MOSH and then to the Library. Right now if you wanted to do those things you'd have to drive and park twice.
QuoteI agree. If you had those sections done, on Saturday people could make a day of it. Go to RAM, MOSH and then to the Library. Right now if you wanted to do those things you'd have to drive and park twice.
In other words more hassle, more car wear and tear. :-\
50,000 for 3 days, 40,000 people per day at the RAM, I know what is coming, we will see 100,000 for Tall Ships and we may have 5,000 people downtown at any given time, but with all the fake cannons firing and vibrating off the buildings, it will make the noise level seem like there are 100,000 people downtown during the event. Fireworks will draw people, but let's keep them seperate. You could have fireworks and draw 100,000 without breaking a sweat.
Wonder how many people will be hanging out at the Tall Ships event in Hemming Plaza this weekend, perhaps Chamblin's will do a brisk business this weekend. Perhaps the jewelry store will be open not just Saturday but Sunday as well.
I have not heard many positive things about having a festival on the concrete, other than most who said it was an inconvenience to eat downtown. But have to try new things, just like spending thousands of dollars to remove payphones in and around downtown, because they breed a bad element. Did you know people actually refered to us as COWford a few years back? Perhaps it was because we were slow to catch on....
Did you even bother to show up at the Jazz Fest? How about RAM? Planning to come down for the Tall Ships? Sheesh... ::)
no...he's just a whiner
Spiro Agnew said it best:"nattering nabobs of negativism"
His speech writer was William Saphire.
geez, do you hate jacksonville or something? Are you the owner of Whiteway Corner?