My August 20 - 22 Visit to Jacksonville

[heights unknown]

"HEIGHTS UNKNOWN" (Garry) here.

Arrived in Jacksonville early Friday evening from West Central Florida (Tampa Bay) region where I now live.  It's been two years since I last visited and was eager to see if the improvements iterated in this forum were in fact true or did I see Jax in another different light or way.  Keep in mind that what I list below is based on my visits to other major Florida cities and relative to what I left in 1995.  That being said, here is my observation and opinion of Jax compared to other major Florida cities and relative to where it was when I left in 1995:

Highways - Highways and streets have improved signficantly since I left in 1995.  I came into Jax from I-10 and hit the "quagmire" spaghetti and noodles interchanges (95 to I-10 and vice versa) and got lost (you guys told me I would).  I ended up getting lost but got back onto the expressway to whre I needed to go.  Though the highways and streets have improved, there are still some streets downtown and in Springfield that need repaving along with landscaping improvements that need to be added.  I-95 south of the river is simply beautiful all the way to the interchange that leads to Orange Park and other destinations around the south end of Jacksonville and Duval County.  No major changes were noted on I-95 leading north to the Airport. Once you leave the spaghetti/noodles interchange, I-10 is also basically the same heading out west.

Skyline - Simply beautiful skyline as usual.  But I try to imagine that I am a newcomer to Jax and what I would think or how I would view our skyline.  I would say or think, "what a beautiful skyline so this must be a vibrant city," and would be led to believe that a lot is going on; however, though a few new bars and restaurants have sprung up within downtown proper and the urban core, there still is not much going on save the Landing. Need more to do along with more activity downtown. But Jax's skyline is breathtaking but still falls short compared to Miami, Tampa, or even Fort Lauderdale in my opinion.

Lighting - Compared to other Florida cities, Jacksonville is not well lighted; and I am talking about streetlighting as well as lighting on buildings, signs and skyscrapers.  Jacksonville seems to be dark, gloomy, compared to other major Florida cities.  There seems to be a lack of adequate and/or proper street lights.  Also, more neon signs and lights need to be on our buildings and skyscrapers downtown. When I left Jax, I had not visited a major Florida city in quite some time.  When I moved to South Florida, it was evident that Jax was dark, gloomy, and almost devoid of good street lighting as well as lighting for signs and buildings.  It has improved, but Jax still appears dark and gloomy compared to other Florida cities.

Springfield - This neighborhood has definitely changed.  More nice, renovated and even new constructed homes in that area, but overall it appears that much still needs to be done. However, Springfield is much much better than it was when I left in 1995. The streets are a little better relative to landscaping, paving, etc., and there are more bars, restaurants and stores there than I remember; but much still needs to be done and I understand that Springfield is still a work in progress.

Riverside/Brooklyn - Brooklyn on the River near downtown has definitely changed.  The area around Blue Cross/Blue Shield looks good with even more potential for it to get even better. Five Points was a surprise as there were a couple of bars and restaurants open with much acitivity on Friday and Saturday nights.  The residential parts of Riverside haven't changed much, and, the lower part of Brooklyn to the west of the river on Riverside Avenue is still an eyesore, though I understand some developments were planned before the economic crash and downturn.  Much work still needs to be done in these areas.  Hopefully if the economy improves, developments and plans for that area will recommence. 

LaVilla - My childhood neighborhood put tears to my eyes. No people, no activity, no bars, restaurants or stores. Shame on the Jacksonville leadership for what they promised for this area but left it a plowed out, razed down moonscape.  Drove through there thinking back to my childhood and got kind of angry.  Much more could have been done to and for LaVilla. Hopefully, a plan will be initiated which will include residential towers, stores, restaurants, etc. for the rest of LaVilla. What a major disappintment!

San Marco/Southside/Phillips Highway area - San Marco...WALLA! Much activity and buzz the nights I drove around. The southbank looks good with a lot of potential in place if city leaders get off their ass and put out a good plan of development.  Something needs to be done with the Phillips Highway area; I am talking landscaping, streetlighting, repaving, more stores, restaurants, and get the prostitutes, pimps, and drug dealers off the streets!

Downtown/Hemming Plaza - Hasn't changed all that much for the exception of the new Courthouse and the buzz of activity in and around Bay Streets relative to bars, restaurants and nightclubs.  What's up with the cobblestone streets around the "roundabout" next to the landing?  They need to pave that; it is hard on struts, shocks, etc. on the autos. As aforementioned skyline still looks awesome.  Could have really used those 3 or 4 skyscrapers that were planned and then axed back in 2008. Still a lot of vacant lots and undeveloped areas within downtown.  Downtown still needs "infill" in a lot of areas.  All in all, it (downtown) does look better than it did in 1995.

Enjoyed my visit.  Got to see old friends, ate at some resturants, etc. Just loved seeing and visiting Jax, my real home.  Hope to move back soon but just bought a home in Ellenton in the Tampa Bay area.  Still planning to sell and move back at some point. Wish I could have seen more and visited more areas. This is my take on Jax's progress.  Progress has been made to the areas I listed but more needs to be done, and I am sure more progress and success has been made in areas I did not list.  I love you Jax! Peace everyone!

"HU"

[Cricket]

Thanks, HU. I enjoyed that!

The only thing I would say is that much of the planning that was on course or on the drawing board ran into a buzz saw with the economic downturn.

At least I hope that is the case and not due to an inert leadership.

[acme54321]

What's up with the cobblestone streets around the "roundabout" next to the landing?  They need to pave that; it is hard on struts, shocks, etc. on the autos.

They just put that in.  I think they are meant as a speed control measure, but they are pretty rough.  That said it's better than speedbumps IMO.

[tufsu1]

The cobblestones are a way to further slow down traffic (in addition to the roundabout itself)....the stones will wear down over time and it will be less rough.

Just imagine what it feels like on a bike 

[904Scars]

It's cool to hear someone elses view, especiallly a previous Jacksonvillians. Thanks! Slowly but surely I think we'll see vast improvements. One statement I strongly agree with you on is lighting. Apparently they are doing something about this, at least along Laura St and a few other downtown streets.

[buckethead]

LaVilla - My childhood neighborhood put tears to my eyes. No people, no activity, no bars, restaurants or stores. Shame on the Jacksonville leadership for what they promised for this area but left it a plowed out, razed down moonscape.  Drove through there thinking back to my childhood and got kind of angry.  Much more could have been done to and for LaVilla. Hopefully, a plan will be initiated which will include residential towers, stores, restaurants, etc. for the rest of LaVilla. What a major disappintment!

Disappointment indeed.

Your childhood neighborhood is now a moonscape. Reading this paragraph really brought home the impact of the razing of this area. Change will always continue, but outright decimation of a neighborhood is borderline criminal.

From one who rode through this area throughout his youth without giving much thought to the city's proposals, I apologize. Our citizens should have stood together to prevent the razing of LaVilla.

[904Scars]

LaVilla - My childhood neighborhood put tears to my eyes. No people, no activity, no bars, restaurants or stores. Shame on the Jacksonville leadership for what they promised for this area but left it a plowed out, razed down moonscape.  Drove through there thinking back to my childhood and got kind of angry.  Much more could have been done to and for LaVilla. Hopefully, a plan will be initiated which will include residential towers, stores, restaurants, etc. for the rest of LaVilla. What a major disappintment!

Disappointment indeed.

Your childhood neighborhood is now a moonscape. Reading this paragraph really brought home the impact of the razing of this area. Change will always continue, but outright decimation of a neighborhood is borderline criminal.

From one who rode through this area throughout his youth without giving much thought to the city's proposals, I apologize. Our citizens should have stood together to prevent the razing of LaVilla.

Somewhat on the subject of LaVilla and it's uprise... any more word on the building across from the LaSOTA where Ray played one of his first gigs. Last I heard the city was buying it off the guy who ran out of funds to preserve it. I know it's in REALLY REALLY bad shape but man would it make a cool Jazz influenced restaurant/bar/museum!

[Dog Walker]

The cobblestones are a way to further slow down traffic (in addition to the roundabout itself)....the stones will wear down over time and it will be less rough.

Just imagine what it feels like on a bike  

And just imagine trying to cross that area in a wheelchair or walker!  Just waiting for an ADA complaint.

[acme54321]

There are crosswalks on all sides of it......

[heights unknown]

Though some businesses have moved into LaVilla, they need to do more with that area and more can be done "people wise" to bring activity back to LaVilla.  In my opinion if we add some restaurants, bars, stores, etc., not only would that be a big plus for LaVilla, but it would also put some much needed spark into downtown and especially that end of downtown with the Courthouse possibly also providing a growth catalyst.  Jacksonville has so, so much potential its rediculous.  What the hell are our leaders thinking or waiting on? People who visit Florida, and trust me on this, are getting tired of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and the Tampa area.  Jax also has a warm climate but Jax also has seasons, something people south of Ocala cannot really claim (feeble seasons at best).  Jax has so much it can capitalize on and use to its advantage to lure people to it and help it to be the best that it can be!

"HU"

[CS Foltz]

HU...............our leadership is not doing too much of anything! Since we have elections coming up real soon, primary's are on the 24......I am hoping for some real changes to start taking place! At least we have the start!

[heights unknown]

HU...............our leadership is not doing too much of anything! Since we have elections coming up real soon, primary's are on the 24......I am hoping for some real changes to start taking place! At least we have the start!

Tell me about it.  To get a little off topic here, who is the frontrunner?  Not because I am black, but I loved what the female black candidate proposed for the city a few months ago in a speech.  But who is the one out front right now?  Anyone know?

"HU"

[heights unknown]

The cobblestones are a way to further slow down traffic (in addition to the roundabout itself)....the stones will wear down over time and it will be less rough.

Just imagine what it feels like on a bike 

If you are into vibrations; I for one am not (LOL)!

"HU"

[Coolyfett]

probably Jim Bailey

[tufsu1]

To get a little off topic here, who is the frontrunner?  Not because I am black, but I loved what the female black candidate proposed for the city a few months ago in a speech.  But who is the one out front right now?  Anyone know?

right now there is no official frontrunner......that said, Rick Mullaney and Audrey Moran have raised the most $....and Mike Hogan has locked up the uber-conservative vote.....those are most likely the top 3

I expect Jim Bailey and Kevin Hyde to drop out over the next few months.

Glorious Johnson (the female black candidate) has raised very little $....she's actually been outgained on the Democratic side by Alvin Brown (relatively unknown here but worked in Clinton White House).