When Downtown's Policies Went to the Southside

[tufsu1]

I understand tufsu... and my reply is really only directed at garden guy.  GG, like faye are blinded by ideology, and are rather bitter about it.  A quick review of GG's posting history will reveal a clear history of it. 

understood....I'm also trying to get both of them to see the light

[ChriswUfGator]

I find one Republican (Audrey) head and shoulders over any of the Democrats.

+1

[Ocklawaha]

Don't worry Stephen, some Bozo's think switching the meters to credit card and cell phone accounts will cure all the trouble and people will once again flock to the Town-Center.

I don't like going there because of those damn homeless missions the city permitted around the centers parking lots, and besides not feeling safe, I can't angle park worth a damn!

OCKLAWAHA

[Garden guy]

I understand tufsu... and my reply is really only directed at garden guy.  GG, like faye are blinded by ideology, and are rather bitter about it.  A quick review of GG's posting history will reveal a clear history of it. 

understood....I'm also trying to get both of them to see the light

I"m so happy to get on your nerves...without men like men and others on there..this world would be filled with republicans that have put this country and this city where we are today...why do we want more of you......we don't! And you welcome...i enjoy  putting mirrors up...and I'm not bitter...I'm pissed of our city is a loosing city and it's because of ideas and ideals of people like you...so you guys have a good time dumping on me and others but we know we are soo far more evolved than you....have a great day....yours truly...

[FSBA]

In light of last night's meeting, way too much of this article is still true and on point.

[Overstreet]

We go out of downtown after games because that is where we are going.

[tom-joseph]

Well it was only 50 years ago when downtown was sort of lively, already developed and busy and prosperous.

Rather than new plans and weird actions perhaps a question is what did we do to destroy it. Jail and all was always there and the poor waiting round Hemming Park, I remember in the 1950s. Parking always a problem.

What happened was the rise of the shopping malls and the expressway expansions and the move of the big corporations to the suburbs. Additionally the urban space surrounding downtown was left to rot as people with money fled to the suburbs.

This same scenario was repeated by many another town. (to the same effect)

The problem was not flight to the suburbs but a winner take all mentality. The money and attention of finance and politics moved to where the money was (is). This move of attention was paired with neglect of the older parts of this town and others.


Why not maintain both the old town and develop the new?


To be equitable there has to be some consideration to the less profitable areas, simply because they are there and every bit a part of the city as new land development. Going entirely overboard on the new stuff going up, is undemocratic and uneconomic. It is cheapness really and a lack of imagination. Imagine if the old cities of Europe let the city centers deteriorate and only favored strip malls and suburban houses.

Cities that maintain their past areas with quality gain an enormous advantage in the long run. To do so a city has to have real ambition not booster-ism and schemes.


There are cities across Europe that maintain town centers that exist from Roman Empire time. Jacksonville seem to be unable to deal with a time scale of 50 years.

I am not talking about historic restricting but the lively maintenance of a thriving downtown and other parts of the city forgotten. We used to do better. All we had to do (or do) is not be distracted by the flow of cash and attention into new development only.