As shown by this story from Tampa, it is not just a Jacksonville issue/problem
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jul/16/once-developers-dreams-lots-snapped-kings-parking/news-breaking/
QuoteChristine Burdick, head of the not-for-profit Tampa Downtown Partnership, said a parking lot is not the best use of the old Maas Bros. land long-term, but it will work for now. She sees a silver lining.
"The good news is downtown Tampa has more than average and adequate parking," she said.
Did she move to Tampa from Jax??
It really sucked when the old Mass Brother's department store was torn down a few years back. Downtown Tampa and Jax are like kissing cousins to me. They are Florida's older urban cores and both suffer from many of the same illogical elements that have combined to create pretty zombie like atmospheres.