Peyton lobbies City Council for downtown projects

[Keith-N-Jax]

I would guest that the people who are passionate about downtown have no faith that more taxes will be spent appropriately. City has already imposed fees and more now taxes to a leadership that its best projects are pockets parks for the homeless to roam. Another thing city has hearing issues, they don't listen to their own community.

[vicupstate]

That $8.2 million for Metro Park needs to go for something more central in the core.  Metro Park would be pretty far down on my list of priorities.

I haven't been to Metro Park very often, but except for the time I parked there for the Gator Bowl, it has always been deserted. 

If I'm not mistaken the Jazz Festival was held there every year until 2009.  It was moved to the CORE (ie Laura Street) this year to RAVE reviews.  So might it not be a BETTER idea to LEVERAGE the simultaneous investment the city is making to Laura Street, by investing that $8mm into the Laura/Bay corridor?   

The Barnett/Laura trio projects will never occur without a parking garage.  Maybe the city could seek proposals in which it would build one (with ground level retail, of course) in conjunction with a plan to develop those buildings.     

There is so little money to go around these days, I hate to see $8mm spent on a larger version of the Main Street pocket park.   

[Ocklawaha]

WHOA, have you seen Peytons idea of a revamp of Metropolitan Park and Kids Campus? I have! The boy blunder want to sweep away all improvements making both locations a giant "flex space" AKA: a grass parking lot for the Stadiums. His rebuilding includes removal of the fire station, and shoving whatever is left up against the river. The original vision was a giant outdoor festival park, a complete sound stage, amphitheater, marina, TV studios etc... Something that a visiting ABC Sports crew might use to do some quick work on a game piece. A place for music of every kind. It was never intended to be a parking facility or full time park, but according to Jake Godbold and Company, it was a restoration of the old picnic grounds where the entire city family gathers for revival. Damn squirrel, somebody call a pest control van.

OCKLAWAHA

[tufsu1]

Get COJ cost's under control first, then think about tax increases, not Fee's, but increases that the voters have a say in. We don't have any choice with "Fee's" and that just circumvents voter approval...........not right nor the correct way to approach problem!

Get costs under control?...I guess having the lowest millage rate by 20% of any large Florida city doesn't count?

As for having a say on taxes and fees....we do have a say on BOTH....its called voting for our representatives at local/state/federal level....that's what representative democracy is all about!

[mtraininjax]

Connect Northbank riverwalk to Memorial park and let the southbank suffer? Any of you geniuses been to see the southbank riverwalk? The Navy memorial is a disaster of broken lights, shattered tiles and broken boards around it, the southbank needs the dollars now.

After all, there are hotels that contribute to the bed tax where these funds come from, the hotels there deserve to have a great area for people to walk, instead of the garbage that is there now.

[CS Foltz]

What the hell does the having the "lowest millage rate by 20% of any large Florida City" have to do with the City continuing to spend beyond it means? The old adage of "Well all of the other Administrations did the same" or maybe "People will scream and yell if service's are reduced" do not address the problem! City has a shotgun approach to do just about everything from regulations enforced to planning! I offer the so-called Transportation Center as the latest misguided effort from JTA! Spend $60 Million Dollars for what.......new office's? I say spend $11 Million and buy JEA's downtown office bldg, renovate and shazam...........new JTA Office's that won't cost $60 Million Dollars!! This I need to put up with? I allready have the ones marked I can vote out of office and really look forward to being able to round file Johnny.........18 months to go and I wonder just how much more of our dollars he is going to try and waste! Like I have said...........no plan, no vision and no sense!

[Charles Hunter]

Is the JEA Building (I assume the old one?) for sale?  I thought I saw here at MetroJacksoville that JEA just sold it to the Water/Sewer Authority?  Do they want to sell it already?

[CS Foltz]

Mr Charles..........I am refering to the one by the Court House! It was for sale as of this past Monday.....JOL Forum had a link regarding that bldg and I did not make note of the address. Price was for $11 Million and the ad said nothing about Water/Sewer getting it so I don't know for sure!

[Charles Hunter]

OK, I found it, just some speculation on the WSA - apparently the old JEA building went into private ownership a couple years ago, for $4.1 million, and is now for sale.  Thanks, CS.

[CS Foltz]

Anytime Mr Charles............I know you would do the same for me!

[tufsu1]

What the hell does the having the "lowest millage rate by 20% of any large Florida City" have to do with the City continuing to spend beyond it means?

CS...the City does live within its means...each year it has to balance revenues and expenses.

I'm sure you'll be bringing up last year's tax increase....so before you do, let me remind you of the state-mandated (and locally not supported) tax cut that occurred the year before....the tax increase just brought that lost revenue back.

also...JTA and JEA are independent authorities...and not part of the City's budegt!

[CS Foltz]

tufsu the City does not live within its means............$40 Million Dollar shortfall in the next Budget cycle! Its allready documented! I would also have to ask...........why is the City Council approving both Agency's Budgets?I understand the state connection but JEA is a wholly owned municipal utility..............note municipal! Basically Jacksonville owns the stupid thing since its our utility! My electric bill has a space saying"Franchise Fee".....another bleeping Fee! We have way too many fee's/tax's and the like to suit me! City proves to me they are efficient and cost effective...........I would think about a tax increase if needed but not before! Yes I remember all about that stupid Amendment One crud, thanks to Marco and his clique and pushing what a great deal it would be for all home owners yada yada! I voted against that also but south Florida was all for it!

[tufsu1]

CS...the $40 million shortfall is an estimate...they haven't even started budget talks for FY '11 yet!

and since you remember Amendment 1 and the mandated tax cut, I assume you also realize that "Johnny's" request last year wasn't really a tax increase?

[stjr]

Is the JEA Building (I assume the old one?) for sale?  I thought I saw here at MetroJacksoville that JEA just sold it to the Water/Sewer Authority?  Do they want to sell it already?

Charles, there is no "water/sewer authority".  Water and sewer was a city DEPARTMENT until, mismanaged and under-maintained by the City, they "sold" it to JEA.  JEA has been raising water and sewer rates ever since to try and develop the capital needed for the decades of neglect and deferred capital projects the water and sewer grid needed.

Today, JEA is electric, water, AND sewer, and, in the downtown area, a chilled water provider for building a/c.  Having multiple businesses, they just refer to it as "JEA" now, instead of "Jacksonville ELECTRIC Authority".

[CS Foltz]

tufsu...........come on big guy, give me just a little credit if you would.........that $40 Million is projected I would agree (or an estimate if you wish) but either way there is a short fall acoming right? Based an a Budget of $1 Billion Dollars it does not matter to me if its one dollar, that is one dollar too much. I understand in today's economy a lack of revenue but there is no excuse for spending what you don't have! We must get our financial house in order based upon what we have coming in...........plain and simple math! Federal Government is going to be facing the same issue's, the Federal deficit is continuing to rise and what then? Do we learn to speak Chinese? We need to start at our level first, we need to do our part for efficient cost effective government! This is why I keep harping about no plan, no vision and no sense!