The City Just Doesn't Get IT!

[Ocklawaha]

I really love the idea of the USS Adams being downtown, but if THAT is our total plan for the Naval museum, we might as well deep-6 the whole idea.

I really love the idea of streetcars downtown, but if THAT is our total plan for drawing crowds downtown, we might as well scrap the whole pile.

I really love the idea of expanding the Skyway into all those destinations it never reached, but if THAT is our total plan for modern transit, we might as well convert the whole thing to a Sky-Walk.

I really HATE the idea of BRT as our mass transit trunk line, and if THAT is our total plan for the City, we better all invest in someplace progressive, like Bugger Hollow, Arkansas. (yes a REAL town)

Our City doesn't get it, we don't and haven't since about 1925. We have almost caused a stampede out of Jax for the tourist industry. Our concept of NFL is how quick we can get um in and get um out of town! FOR GODS SAKE CITY HALL WAKE UP! Taking a page from Stephendares "The City" thread just imagine that letter back home.

"Hi family,

We decided to skip Disney this year and went instead to Jacksonville. Wow was that a cool choice. We spent 7 days on a cruise from a beautiful restored fishing port called "Mayport." We then spent a couple of days at the beach and the kids loved the roller coasters and midway on the Seawalk. When we shifted our hotel to the new Westin Riverside, we were stunned to see Monorail trains come right through the lobby, and 1920's vintage streetcars outside. Moreover, EVERY monorail stop had an assortment of shops and vendors so it was really a fun way to see the City from above. We took in a Concert at the Arena and went one way by Monorail and came back by streetcar. Downtown, the multi-story Jacksonville Landing and Convention Center must cover 6-8 blocks.


We stopped at the streetcar museum where we took the controls and we allowed to operate a car on a little track. We each got a photo taken as a "Jacksonville Motorman". Over the river was this cool old Navy ship, we went through the onboard tour and then into the nearby aquarium. Oh my, I didn't realize the historic encounter we would see, who ever thought of an aquarium/navy history museum? We went downstairs and saw the Battleship Florida, laying on it's side in the bottom of the sea, while giant fish swam all around the wreck.

There was a room where two submarines found eachother with pinging... with the headset on little Johnny sunk me twice! There was wreckage and packaged goods from a Civil War ship and the Indainapolis room made us weep. The Mall at Union Station was pretty cool too, everyone coming and going and some of the best transportation books and videos I ever saw. We'll come back next year and take in the river cruise on the new "City of Jacksonville", a real side wheel steamboat to Sanford. I also want to see the Southern Music Hall of fame, and spend some time in the Skyway operations center to see how this thing works, last but not least is that Airshow museum, that features the Blue Angels through the years..."

Next Year, we WANT to see the JTA Skyway Center!!
Now, someone tell me why we are parking another ship downtown? Do we even know what we are doing? Have you seen the flames of the great fire? Smelled the smoke? Watched the City collapse around you? Pumped the old hand pumpers? Well have you? No, but you've seen a stainless steel post on the riverwalk...

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

I want to book my next vacation in this Jacksonville, Florida you speak of.  Metro Jacksonville could feature it in the "Learning from" or "Elements of Urbanism" series.  How do I get there?  Can you give me some directions?

Now, someone tell me why we are parking another ship downtown? Do we even know what we are doing?

From what I understand, the USS Adams is a private project.  Project backers chose Jacksonville because it was based at Mayport and Jax doesn't have a ship.  To tell the truth, the city has been more concerned about them not asking for public money, as opposed to looking at how the project will best fit and complement its surroundings.  So do we know what we're doing?  For the answer you seek, take a look at the Main Street Pocket Park, our bus rapid transit plans, our chosen skyway route or try to get to Springfield after a major event in the Sports District.  The anwer would be....NO!

[Springfield Girl]

What a great post! Jacksonville threw away it's awesome past and refuses to move forward in a productive way. How can our leaders be so content with a city suspended in limbo?

[Seraphs]

What a great post! Jacksonville threw away it's awesome past and refuses to move forward in a productive way. How can our leaders be so content with a city suspended in limbo?

This is a no brainer!  Our leaders can be content with a city suspended in limbo because they are suspended in limbo.  I love reading everyone's frustrated post because it lets me know I'm not alone.  For years I thought I was the odd man out.  Thanks, Metro Jax.