Don Redman spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, recovering from a nasty bike accident on the Southbank Riverwalk that left the City Council member with a broken leg â€" and a new cause.
Redman says the warped, wood-planked path needs an overhaul to bring it up to the standard set by the pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly Northbank Riverwalk.
“I feel like if you don’t have a really great downtown area, you’re not going to have a city that you can show off to anybody,†said Redman, whose district includes the largest chunk of downtown and parts of the Southside.
An overhaul of the Southbank Riverwalk has languished on downtown’s project wish list for years, even though the City Council controls a billion-dollar budget and capital spending.
Several council members, responding to The Times-Union’s recent series on the troubled state of downtown, said more needs to be done â€" from bringing back the Downtown Development Authority to solving the homeless problem.
For years, city incentives and resources have been directed at development in high-growth suburban areas, but council members are now sharing ideas about how best to move ahead with downtown revitalization.
Councilman Warren Jones believes that it’s time for the city to redirect its focus back on downtown. For too long suburban sprawl has consumed the bulk resources, he said, draining funding and other support from the aging urban core.
“Every neighborhood is going to get old at one time,†said Jones, who represents neighborhoods just west of downtown. “Even the ones that we’re running to now. So the problems are going to follow you. We have got to start investing more dollars in our core city areas.â€
Jones blames a lack of attention from city leaders.
“It’s less about money and more about the focus and the priority of working with companies that are looking to develop a project,†he said.
The Downtown Development Authority should be re-established as an arm of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission to focus solely on downtown, Jones said. The authority, a powerful force in many cities with vibrant downtowns, was eliminated by Mayor John Peyton in 2006 during a cost-cutting reorganization approved by the council.
Council President Richard Clark said the focus for improving the core should not just be on luring the next Fortune 500 company.
“We’re always going to be out there working as hard as we can to bring the next Fidelity, but what we can’t forget about is that we need to encourage the Dalton Agencies of the world and the Perdues [Office Interiors] of the world.â€
Companies like those, with 50 or 60 employees apiece, don’t generally require incentives to locate downtown, Clark said, but still contribute heavily to the local economy.
Councilman Kevin Hyde, one of five at-large members, wants the city to do a better job of attracting the type of small business that makes downtown a destination for visitors, such as stores and restaurants.
Downtown Jacksonville has one of the smallest retail footprints in the country. “Getting those businesses,†Hyde said, would draw “people to downtown, regardless if they’re ever going to live there.â€
A candidate for mayor in 2011, Hyde said developers had a high interest in downtown several years ago, but the recession caused that spark to fade. He believes the council should work on setting money aside to help finance retail projects.
Councilman Clay Yarborough said existing programs to help build up downtown are good, but he questioned the idea of spending more on the city core in the current economy. He opposes the mayor’s plan, approved by council, to spend roughly $30 million renovating Metropolitan Park to connect it with the Riverwalk.
“The project sounds great, but this year? That much? Not right now,†he said.
Yarborough said the constituents he talks to don’t have the same fervor for investing in downtown that he hears at City Hall. He considers it a “worthy pursuit†whose time may not have arrived.
Clark said any talk about making downtown a priority will always circle back to money, or the lack thereof.
“Right now, No. 1 on our list is really the finances of the city and what the economy has done to our government,†he said. “Downtown is really a direct reflection of where we are in the economy.â€
When the economy was booming, downtown projects were sprouting and attracting new businesses, he said, and now the city will have to work to recapture that magic.
Besides spending, Clark says the council also has a responsibility to keep the tax rate low and ensure businesses interested in downtown have an educated workforce to draw from. He also believes Jacksonville should follow models set by New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Chicago.
While the crime rate in downtown Jacksonville is relatively low, critics often cite the number of homeless people congregating at Hemming Plaza and along the waterfront. Records show there are approximately 1,500 homeless people living downtown, in shelters and on the streets, compared with 2,600 people living in apartments and condos.
Clark said investing in downtown is essential if Jacksonville wants to reach its full potential.
“Every great city in America has a vibrant downtown,†he said.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-12-22/story/jacksonville_city_council_wants_spark_to_energize_downtown#comment-146189
So he has now been in office for 2 YEARS, and NOW he wants to take on the challenge of fixing downtown... Keep in mind, Redman is the councilman who covers MOST OF DOWNTOWN!!!
I guess late is better than never, but I think this illustrates the problem to a tee.
I thought bikes were not allowed on the Southbank Riverwalk?
They aren't.
hoo boy...
This seems so out of character that at first I thought it was an April Fools joke.
Most notably this comment:
Quote
“Every neighborhood is going to get old at one time,†said Jones, who represents neighborhoods just west of downtown. “Even the ones that we’re running to now. So the problems are going to follow you. We have got to start investing more dollars in our core city areas.â€
I think it's great that our city leaders are finally thinking. Maybe a chance duck attack on Peyton by his house in San Marco will be the 'spark' he needs.
For some reason, the headline of this article reminds me of the following cartoon:
(http://www.sciencecartoonsplus.com/gallery/math/math07.gif)
that's funny
That's the mysterious spark there in the middle, for sure.
It's unfortunate indeed that a broken leg is required to get a city councilman's attention. One wonders what a stripped vehicle or molested wife would do for downtown within the Council Chambers.
Call Sherlock Holmes. The City Council is once again covering their tracks leading from the scene of the crime.
WHAT IF
I TRIED
A BIG
SPLASHY POST
WITH SOMEONE
ELSE TELLING
THE STORY?
BUT OF COURSE DARLING, I'LL INCLUDE MY SIGNATURE PHOTOS... (Smile Mtrain)
OCKLAWAHA(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr12596.jpg)
Forsyth Street in Downtown Jacksonville, back when we WERE THE CITY in the State of Florida, how do we bring that back? Read on my friends, read on...Quote
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/14/us/14streetcar.html?_r=1&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1218715256-RGzAgpWKf/nDXNdoZkLbUQ
Streetcar advocates point to Portland, Ore., which built the first major modern streetcar system in the United States, in 2001, and has since added new lines interlaced with a growing light rail system. Since Portland announced plans for the system, more than 10,000 residential units have been built and $3.5 billion has been invested in property within two blocks of the line, according to Portland Streetcar Inc., which operates the system...
...After looking into streetcar systems in Seattle, Tacoma, Wash., and Charlotte, Mr. Dohoney became convinced that they spur growth. “Cincinnati has to compete with other cities for investment,†he said. “We have to compete for talent and for place of national prominence.â€
A hundred miles north, Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio, has come to the same conclusion and is pushing to build a $103 million streetcar network along the city’s High Street connecting Ohio State University with the downtown business district. The loop would be paid for through a 4 percent surcharge on concert tickets, sporting events and downtown parking and a $12.5 million contribution from Ohio State.
“It is directly tied to economic development, and when times are tough in Ohio, we need an additional tool to create jobs,†Mr. Coleman said.
While critics question whether scarce city money would be better spent elsewhere, Mr. Coleman argues that streetcars are important to the city’s growth.
“We have to plan for the future,†he said. “I believe in 10 years, we would ask, ‘Why didn’t we do this?’ It will be 10 times more expensive, and the cost of gas will be unaffordable.â€
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr12589.jpg)
A sad scene in St. Petersburg, "Not dead just retired..." The NEXT day some Tampa Bay officials were driving around in their new GM LaSalle Automobiles. It seems even then someone knew this idea was too good to die. Quotehttp://www.railwaypreservation.com/vintagetrolley/memphis.htm
Equally impressive is all of the development going on around the trolley lines. On Main St., a great deal of commercial development is apparent along the tracks. Although there are still many vacant storefronts, there are also plenty of rehabilitated historic buildings as well as significant new construction. Along the Riverfront line there are great number of new homes in evidence as well as a flurry of loft conversions underway in some truly incredible historic industrial buildings. The Memphis Center City Commission values the current building boom at over $2 billion dollars.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr12583.jpg)
Pensacola another early victim, had a far flung network for a smaller city that included at least one Interurban line, interestingly enough, it went to Perdido, which is Spanish for "Damned to Hell." Quotehttp://www.architectmagazine.com/local-markets/little-rock-ark.aspx
Today there are big doings in Little Rock. “We have a resurgent urban core that has experienced over a $1 billion investment in the past 10 years, including an electric streetcar system, presidential library, 18,000-seat arena, 7,000-seat baseball stadium, multiple condominium towers, museums, central library, corporate headquarters, and more,†says Wesley Robert Walls, president of local architecture firm The Wilcox Group.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr02115.jpg)
Imagine we once had LOUNGE cars, complete with restrooms, plush seats and a bar... guess we weren't the only City to go high class, just the first to dump it and trash our downtown transit foreverQuotePublished in the Arizona Republic on June 17, 2008.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0617biz-lightrail0617.html
Arizona - Light rail is six months from operation, but the transit system's impact on the Valley's real-estate market has been in full swing with new condos, office buildings and mixed-use developments rising throughout metro Phoenix.
Transit officials estimate that since 2004, developers have spent close to $6 billion on public and private projects on and around the future light-rail line.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/prints/pr12586.jpg)
Southern Most Streetcar in America, Key West has tourism, how long until they do streetcars again?Quote
http://utahtram.blogspot.com/2009/08/salt-lake-leaders-sold-on-portland.html
Salt Lake leaders sold on Portland streetcar system
By Aaron Falk
Deseret News
Published: Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 6:40 p.m. MDT
After a day of riding the streetcar line in Portland, Ore., Philip Blomquist was sold.
The Salt Lake retailer owns two bike shops near a planned streetcar line in Sugar House, and if the Oregon model gives any indication, business could boom.
"I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it firsthand," Blomquist said after a day of touring Portland's Pearl District. "You would be amazed how it has revitalized this part of the city."
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc03670.jpg)
A Tampa Electric Company streetcar running through the Lafayette Street Bridge, TECO is back, Where is JTCO? Quotehttp://hamptonroads.com/2008/05/slump-doesn%E2%80%99t-slow-tide-projects-downtown-norfolk
Slump doesn’t slow tide of projects in downtown Norfolk
Posted to: News Norfolk Real Estate News
By Harry Minium
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 10, 2008
NORFOLK
Amid a meltdown in the credit markets and with the economy slumping, downtown is experiencing a building boom.
Three-quarters of a billion dollars of construction is under way or planned.
Norfolk is pushing ahead with a big helping hand from taxpayers. City, state and federal dollars account for nearly half of the new construction. Much of that money is for light rail.
“All over the country, projects are being shut down,†Mayor Paul Fraim said. “We are bucking the trend.â€
Developers and city leaders broke ground this week on one of the projects, the Wachovia Center. The $171 million, mixed-use development will include a 22-story office tower, 175 apartments, 250,000 square feet of office space, 50,000 square feet of retail and nearly 2,000 parking spaces...
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/reference/rc10801.jpg)
Believed to be somewhere in Tampa, it MIGHT be a Jacksonville movie set:
Leaning out of the windows: L-R Gladys Crocker, ?, Kate Walker, Aunt Jennie Fassett, Margaret Bender, ?. Standing: Crete Couch and Mr. Ledwirt (?). On platform: Truman Fassett and ?. Quote...(CALLED THE TIDE - NOTE THE HEADLINE - OCK)Light rail, a $232 million mass transit system being funded by the city, state and federal governments, will run from the city’s medical complex through downtown and to the Virginia Beach border. Like the Wachovia Center, it is under construction and scheduled to open in 2010. The city’s share will be $33 million.
(http://fpc.dos.state.fl.us/general/n039703.jpg)
Guess who else is talking STREETCAR? YEAH! We have a mayor!Quote
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:rc1bI2J6y6AJ:www.mississippirenewal.com/documents/Rep_Transportation.pdf+TECO+streetcar+building+boom&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
Page 16
G. Start With The Beach Boulevard Streetcar
The most cost-effective and easy to implement segment of new transit service is a
streetcar that links Gulfport to Biloxi along the waterfront. This segment would begin in
Downtown Gulfport, continue along the waterfront, and loop through the casino district
of Downtown Biloxi. Stops every ź-mile at every neighborhood center would allow
visitors to see the sites, hop off for a short walk and hop on again to continue their
journey. A second phase of the streetcar project would link Biloxi with Ocean Springs
and a separate local circulator route in Pascagoula. Ultimately, a connection to the
Gulfport Airport would help make this region even more attractive to visitors.
Beach Boulevard provides safe pedestrian and bicycle access to and along the water,
as well as space for a waterfront streetcar.
The beauty of the streetcar is that it is a very low-cost, easy to build, and attractive type
of transit. Over 70 cities around the country are planning or building streetcars, and
16
Page 17
many are experiencing a tremendous boom in housing development and tourist-related enterprises within one or two blocks of their streetcars.Tampa’s TECO streetcar was built with sponsorships by the local utility and provides transportation options for both visitors and local residents. Since the system was opened in 2004, over 2,000 housing units have been built within walking distance
(http://www.dot.state.fl.us/publicinformationoffice/historicdotphotos/images/palatka.jpg)
Will we allow PALATKA to revive the Palatka and Heights Street Railway, before Jacksonville moves?Quote
Light Rail Now! NewsLog
URL: http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_newslog2009q3.htm#AUG_20090721
Updated 2009/07/21
21 July 2009
Augusta, Georgia:
City's streetcar plan gains momentum
Augusta, Georgia â€" The appeal of streetcars as a "light" way to install electric light rail transit (LRT) seems to be spreading, and Augusta is one of the latest cities to have its civic leadership fall under the streetcar spell...
...How would Augusta fund a streetcar startup? "The city lacks a funding mechanism to build the project," notes The Transport Politic blog, "though the downtown development authority could presumably use a transit district tax that would be imposed only on property in areas immediately surrounding the proposed lines." The blog writer further points out that "This taxation system is also proposed for Atlanta's Peachtree Streetcar."
After recently visiting Little Rock's new streetcar system, an official city committee evaluating a similar system for Augusta returned with enthusiasm.
As the Augusta Chronicle recounted in a June 29th article, "The streetcar system started in 2004 and has spawned $400 million in development along the rails."
Little Rock streetcar Little Rock's electric streetcar system (River Rail) provides an excellent model for Augusta and many other cities. Modest initial investment has triggered hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of adjacent investment and transit-oritented development, persuading civic leaders to pursue expansion of system.
"It's an impressive system, what they've done over there," Steve Cassell, Augusta's traffic engineer, told the newspaper. "Talking to some of the developers, they love it. It was something to see to believe. It meshes well in the traffic. We couldn't find anybody who didn't like it."
"You have to look at why they did their trolley" Margaret Woodard, executive director of Augusta's Downtown Development Authority, also commented. "It wasn't for ridership originally; it was mostly as an economic-development tool."
As an economic development tool.............I don't think you can cross off rail in shape,fashion or form! You also get the added benifit of being able to move large amounts of people around, thats a no brainer by my standards! Glad to see Councilman Redman wants to repair south Boardwalk.............it does need it, but why hasn't the Council taken it upon themselves to do something for downtown before now? Even those who do not march in time with the GOB Network just don't get it!
Question CS....what if fixing the southbank riverwalk required a small tax increase...would you favor it?
^ I would. What would that increase be? .5% sales tax for 2 weeks??? This is a tiny project. If I trusted our leadership, I'd be willing to go through a BJP-style tax increase again. Whatever it takes to get things done.
However, I won't support any tax increases until 2011.... Tick Tock Tick Tock
Your eyes may roll, and your teeth may grit, but with the present City Administration, a spark to energize downtown you'll never git!
"HU"
It never ceases to amaze me that when any discussion of sprucing up downtown is discussed, we seem to get the zealot who wants to interject rail. Oh, well, I suppose 2010 will be more of the same, so ring in the new year with new choo-choo projects.
Redman is posturing, plain and simple, letting people know he is taking care of downtown, in prep for a run at the Mayor's office. Jones covers North Riverside and parts of Murray Hill, and with the facelift McDuff is getting, you would think you would see more of him out there in the press, and for some unknown reason, you don't.
Tax increase to fix boards, replace lights, fix broken tiles? That is ongoing maintenance. We don't need to spend 30 million on the fountain if we can't replace the burned out light bulbs along the river walk!
(http://images.morris.com/images/lubbock/mdControlled/cms/2008/01/18/237653854.jpg)
The Zealot!
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OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: fsu813 on December 22, 2009, 08:19:45 AM
...................Redman says the warped, wood-planked path needs an overhaul to bring it up to the standard set by the pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly Northbank Riverwalk..............
Twenty years on a wood deck is really a good record without extensive maintenance.
^Was Redman on the budget cutting committee during the summer? That committee may have helped cut out the extra $50 bucks from the city budget to replace the board he fell upon ;D . Hey, we all saved $97 a year in property taxes, right? How much did the emergency room cost him?
I would have expected pages upon pages, of pictures, for choo-choo expansion. Perhaps we can get some George Jetson style pictures on the next expose on local transportation, "choo-choo of the future will not even use rail", or something more far fetched than what we have now.
Quote from: Dan B on December 22, 2009, 08:27:31 AM
So he has now been in office for 2 YEARS, and NOW he wants to take on the challenge of fixing downtown... Keep in mind, Redman is the councilman who covers MOST OF DOWNTOWN!!!
I guess late is better than never, but I think this illustrates the problem to a tee.
I miss Tia.
Show and Tell.
Councilman Redman, Please Show everyone that you will introduce legislation 2010-604 that would compliment the ord. that will keep the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier separate.
We want to Tell everyone to Visit our vibrant Downtown especially on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.
Are people really upset about tax increases, or what gets done with the money from the tax increases? I do not mind raising the sales tax to fund libraries, parks, riverwalks, a public pier, etc etc- but layout the plan and then follow it. I certainly do not want to pay an increase in taxes for more consultant fees on studies to move the fair from DT. I believe the whole anti tax backlash that put Scott in office and may also carry Hogan is more about the waste of tax dollars than not being willing to pay taxes for quality of life enhancements. The people do not trust their leaders with the money! (at least that is what I HOPE it is all about)
Quote from: uptowngirl on March 30, 2011, 06:51:26 AM
Are people really upset about tax increases, or what gets done with the money from the tax increases? I do not mind raising the sales tax to fund libraries, parks, riverwalks, a public pier, etc etc- but layout the plan and then follow it. I certainly do not want to pay an increase in taxes for more consultant fees on studies to move the fair from DT. I believe the whole anti tax backlash that put Scott in office and may also carry Hogan is more about the waste of tax dollars than not being willing to pay taxes for quality of life enhancements. The people do not trust their leaders with the money! (at least that is what I HOPE it is all about)
This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,
City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.
People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?
City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!
People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?
City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.
People - sounds great :-\
and on and on and on and on
futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 30, 2011, 10:04:12 AM
futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.
You are correct tufsu1.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 30, 2011, 10:04:12 AM
futurejax...not to get nitpicky, but wasn't a new courthouse part of the BJP...you know, the sales tax referendum that went to the people for approval.
good point, should've used another example
Quote from: futurejax on March 30, 2011, 09:37:03 AM
This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,
City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.
People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?
City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!
People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?
City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.
People - sounds great :-\
and on and on and on and on
[/quote]
Pertaining to the courthouse, i was told that the recent construction (completion) of the courthouse was mandatory from state requirements that went back to the moloney (sic) administration, when it was approved. I discovered this when trying to buy residential property DT when all the sellers were convinced their DT properties were worth millions! They said the courthouse increased the value. No tears from me as i left for riverside!
Quote from: hillary supporter on March 30, 2011, 01:08:58 PM
Quote from: futurejax on March 30, 2011, 09:37:03 AM
This is called hitting the nail on the head Uptowngirl. Trust. The people do not trust their officials with the people's cash. And with good reason obviously. Goes something like this,
City - We're in debt, we have to raise taxes so we can get our books straight.
People- Didn't you just build like a 400mm courthouse?
City- Yeah but you guys needed it and you know you wanted it!
People - Uhm, NO and NO. How about any infratructure/ transit improvements?
City - Don't need them. But isn't that courthouse cool looking? I mean just look at all that glass!!! Anyways, we're gonna raise property taxes. Maybe we'll constrain our spending on ludicrous endeavors and maybe we won't.
People - sounds great :-\
and on and on and on and on
Pertaining to the courthouse, i was told that the recent construction (completion) of the courthouse was mandatory from state requirements that went back to the moloney (sic) administration, when it was approved. I discovered this when trying to buy residential property DT when all the sellers were convinced their DT properties were worth millions! They said the courthouse increased the value. No tears from me as i left for riverside!
[/quote]
Need a spark? One or two hour free parking. I've seen that in other places. That will attract people downtown for lunch, a quick trip to the library, shopping (if stores return to downtown....someday....) I mean, really, how much revenue does the City bring in on parking meters anyway? Enough to cover the costs of killing downtown?
Quote from: Debbie Thompson on March 30, 2011, 01:14:07 PM
Need a spark? One or two hour free parking. I've seen that in other places. That will attract people downtown for lunch, a quick trip to the library, shopping (if stores return to downtown....someday....) I mean, really, how much revenue does the City bring in on parking meters anyway? Enough to cover the costs of killing downtown?
Absolutely!
FORGET SMART METERS... That is only a more convenient way to murder what is left of downtown. Yank Em out by the root and give them to St Augustine, which actually has a NEED for metered curbside parking.
(http://www.vectorportal.com/img1/2-HOUR-PARKING-SIGN.GIF)
(http://www.nitrogentiremachine.com/image06.jpg)
Shift entire core blocks to free parking, regulated by the highly advanced cutting edge piece of chalk on a stick.
NOBODY at parking enforcement needs to lose their jobs, just redefine them a tad.
Depending on location free parking could be
15 minute
30 minute
1 hour
2 hour(http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/45648/2963690510104969885S200x200Q85.jpg)(http://www.beholder-art.com/img/dynamic/artist/artwork/thumb//1424.jpg)(http://dashstriping.com/imglib/RedCurb.jpg)
Now that we have free parking and day glow curb paint where needed, we could double fines for parking violators.
NEXT:
Calculate income from the former metered space ($600,000) annual, and apply these fees to the municipal garages on a per space rate.
Discount spaces in outlaying garages for employers that purchase JTA TRANSIT PASSES.(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/Three_Pacific_Electric_tickets.jpg)
STAND BACK AND WATCH DOWNTOWN BLOOM. OCKLAWAHA
Maybe next he'll bump his head on the Laura St Trio and get it some city attention :-)
Or the Annie Lytle School , or Fire Station 5 ....
Quote from: heights unknown on December 23, 2009, 10:07:19 AM
Your eyes may roll, and your teeth may grit, but with the present City Administration, a spark to energize downtown you'll never git!
"HU"
Maybe its a typo.... they mean sparkLERS
HU for mayor!
+1 HS
Want a spark? Create some real incentives for business/people to move back to downtown. Stop tearing down everything in sight for surface parking.. I think we have adequate surface parking now.
Follow through with one , just ONE Historic renovation... Like the Laura Trio ... As long as these places remain vacant and basically a shell , NO ONE WILL EVER COME.
Create destinations aside from eating establishments and bars/clubs.
Get rid of meters altogether. As downtown revives, create alternate transit methods to bus . If the Skyway is never going to be successful in its present state, either enhance it by extending it to destinations that DO have people and business and recreation ,or replace it with something ground level and far more efficient.