Jacksonville Fair, City Hall in talks about move to Cecil

[reednavy]

NM, you got a better idea what part of town has more agriculture?

[GideonGlib]

Playing Devils Advocate here, but it seems like a good idea to me, there is a lot more space for the midway, the city has spent untold millions developing Cecil Field area, it would be a boon to a part of town that could use the economic boost, and frankly it might help the fair return to being a more family friendly and agriculturally focused event and not so run down and crime ridden. I don't know anyone who even goes anymore because of the dilapidated environment, and it may expose to the city a need for better public transportation to cecil (Stephen did a while article about his adventure in getting out there).

Lastly, the area taken up by permanent fair buildings now that are used for just a few times a year would make a great spot for more sports complex related devlopment (a park, hotels, or even expanding the complex by adding a skate park, soccer complex, Aquatic center, etc...)

[Joe]

I agree with GideonGlib to an extent.

Relocating the Ag Fair to Cecil would be a great idea if the land were redeveloped as a mixed-use urban district. There's no particular reason that downtown needs the Ag Fair. I think the positive impact of special events and festivals are overblown on urban-oriented internet forums. As we all know from experience, Downtown's net benefit from events in "Midtown" (or whatever they are calling it these days) is virtually nil.

That being said, I share everyone else's concern that the land would be turned into permanent surface parking. There's no point to relocate the Ag Fair unless there are high-density plans for the space. Jax doesn't need another permanent surface parking lot.

[north miami]

As far as areas with the most 'agriculture- even Clay County's Fair location is of curious outlook- virtually most agriculture lands are under development gun.The Clay county location to be circled by the coveted "beltway".
We assume Cecil Field area is 'most' ag.

My point was that city environments can and do spurn diverse events and inputs from ag areas.

Perhaps,like the future of Ag,downtown is indeed terminal.

[GideonGlib]

Looking at the site on Google Earth shows that the site, and it's adjacent current surface parking lots abut the pond around the power plant for the arena and hogans creek, it wouldn't take a lot of imagination to see a widening and deepening project on hogans creek to make it small boat accessible to the back side of downtown from the river, and with a riverwalk like sidewalk alongside, tie it into the riverwalk, and then tying that in with a large park and added facilities at the current Fair/Parking lot sites. That could make 3/4 th's of downtown pedestrian accessible on a pedestrian "loop", be a reason for people to be in those parts of downtown regularly, expand access options to the sports complex, and provide a way that people could in essence walk/bike/rollerblade/jog almost fully around downtown and to riverside without having to intersect major traffic arteries.

[north miami]

So it appears a possible move to Cecil is driven by a common drum beat: Looking for alternative to "Thug Neighborhood" and all related,imagined and real.The result: MOVE OUT

Perhaps the obvious that simply must not be stated: The presence of black population will prove debilitating.

There appears to be a lot of tail wagging this Down Town dog- seemingly disjointed efforts,little credible "reporting".

I see too interesting references to Hogan's Creek- how many are aware that Hogan's Creek is number one on a list of ten impaired Duval County waterways slated for 'restoration'?? Followed by Fishweir Creek-both water bodies to receive attention via joint City/Federal Army Corps of Engineers projects.The projects have languished.


Last reference to Hogan's creek in my personal files: in part:

April 26,2004
Department Of The Army
Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers

Richard E. Bonner,P.E.
Deputy Engineer

To:
Mr.Lynn A. Westbrook,P.E.
Director of Public Works
The City of Jacksonville
Room 207-City Hall Annex
220 E.Bay St.
Jacksonville,Florida 32202

Dear Mr.Westbrook:

This letter is to inform you that Federal funds for the Army's Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Program have been exhausted and work on your projects,Hogan's Creek and Big Fishweir Creek,have been suspended.

.........Ms. Dorin Marlin is the project manager and can be reached at (904) 232-1040.Ms.Marlin will be contacting your office when sufficient funds become available and we can resume work on your project.

[thelakelander]

I agree with GideonGlib to an extent.

Relocating the Ag Fair to Cecil would be a great idea if the land were redeveloped as a mixed-use urban district. There's no particular reason that downtown needs the Ag Fair. I think the positive impact of special events and festivals are overblown on urban-oriented internet forums. As we all know from experience, Downtown's net benefit from events in "Midtown" (or whatever they are calling it these days) is virtually nil.

That being said, I share everyone else's concern that the land would be turned into permanent surface parking. There's no point to relocate the Ag Fair unless there are high-density plans for the space. Jax doesn't need another permanent surface parking lot.

Why would it be great for Cecil if it had an urban district but the impact nil on the core? 

[JeffreyS]

How about La villa or Brooklyn?

[thelakelander]

I don't know why it can't stay right where its at.  Are they trying to agressively expand or something?  Does the city have plans for that area?  Is there something to this story that we are missing?

[JeffreyS]

The carrot that likely swung the fair board to consider the move is the opportunity to run the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, now run by the same company that manages Jacksonville Municipal Stadium and other city sports venues.

Lake this is the stated reason. Maybe SRG who runs the other venues now should take over the fair instead.

[xjm8611]

The fair should stay downtown. I think it's a bad idea to have at Cecil field, its to far out from everything.