Abel Harding's 2011 Plan For Downtown

[thelakelander]

Make 2011 a year for downtown Jacksonville

Submitted by Abel Harding on January 2, 2011 - 12:37am

Abel Harding

A year ago, I wrote about the importance of a commitment to downtown Jacksonville.
“Stop the decades-long shilly-shallying, develop a long-term plan and stick with it.”
Another year is gone and not much progress is visible. More companies have announced plans to leave the urban core and new development is nonexistent.
As 2011 begins, here are six priorities for city leaders.

full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/401574/abel-harding/2011-01-02/make-2011-year-downtown-jacksonville

[JeffreyS]

Kudos Abel.

[dougskiles]

Noone - have you talked to Abel about the 680' promised pier?  How about a kayak trip with Abel?

[Noone]

Yes. and I hope it happens. I also hope that any candidate for Mayor and city council want to see for themselves the opportunity that exists with McCoys Creek,      680' Promised Pier,         Hogans Creek
         SINGLE                   SINGLE                                         SINGLE

Well in my book those three singles and we have bases loaded. The next base hit and a run scores. Ask the candidates their position. In my opinion its not happening in District 4, or District 7, if it was legislation would have been introduced.

Keep score.

[simms3]

Yes it was a good article.  Interesting point about the chilled water line not being put in as Laura Street was ripped up.  Our city can't do anything right haha.

[Noone]

I just keep thinking about a streetcar line from the Prime Osborn to Everbank Field. Given how we are also going to be addressing the parking lots. What would be a potential cost? Would the rail team on MJ like to see it? I know there is a Mobility plan. But would this be a single?
Just asking.
Simms I agree about the chilled water. That's why I'm asking about this.

[tufsu1]

that's probbly a $30 million single

[Noone]

Shipyards $36,500,000 of taxpayer money gone. This $30,000,000 single is the kind that is hit deep and hits the top of the wall and you thought it was a homerun but you'll take that single.

[thelakelander]

If I had to pick one, I' take that $30 million for transit and connect DT with an urban neighborhood (Riverside, Springfield, etc.) where people live, work and play before addressing the sports district.  The skyway situation has shown us what can happen when we don't tie transit spines with areas where people also live.

[tufsu1]

Shipyards $36,500,000 of taxpayer money gone. This $30,000,000 single is the kind that is hit deep and hits the top of the wall and you thought it was a homerun but you'll take that single.

The Shipyards money was not exactly lost....the City got the land back...and an improved bulkhead to boot!

That said, I'm all for streetcar....just noting that it is a good chunk of money for a "single"...more like a 3-run bases clearing single.

[letters and numbers]

Right on Abel!

[dougskiles]

If I had to pick one, I' take that $30 million for transit and connect DT with an urban neighborhood (Riverside, Springfield, etc.) where people live, work and play before addressing the sports district.  The skyway situation has shown us what can happen when we don't tie transit spines with areas where people also live.

+1

We need daily ridership more than surges of ridership once per month.  Once the transit system becomes a part of the culture, then take it to the sports complex.

[ChriswUfGator]

Shipyards $36,500,000 of taxpayer money gone. This $30,000,000 single is the kind that is hit deep and hits the top of the wall and you thought it was a homerun but you'll take that single.

The Shipyards money was not exactly lost....the City got the land back...and an improved bulkhead to boot!

That said, I'm all for streetcar....just noting that it is a good chunk of money for a "single"...more like a 3-run bases clearing single.

We had the land to begin with. Now we're back to where we started, minus $36.5mm. How's that not "lost"?

[thelakelander]

I thought TriLegacy owned the land when the original deal was put together years ago?  Before the city got involved, their original intentions was to redevelop the property as cold storage warehousing.

[tufsu1]

Shipyards $36,500,000 of taxpayer money gone. This $30,000,000 single is the kind that is hit deep and hits the top of the wall and you thought it was a homerun but you'll take that single.

The Shipyards money was not exactly lost....the City got the land back...and an improved bulkhead to boot!

That said, I'm all for streetcar....just noting that it is a good chunk of money for a "single"...more like a 3-run bases clearing single.

We had the land to begin with. Now we're back to where we started, minus $36.5mm. How's that not "lost"?

well take a look at the pics fieldafm posted yesterday in another thread....see the concrete bulkhead....that wasn't there before...and then there's the environmental remediation