Downtown Turnaround, a City Council Candidate Forum Under the Stars

[scottwilson]

I find your opinion that you get no responses from this office completely incorrect. The Shipyards property is in District 7. I would prefer we hear from Dr. Gaffney on the issue.

Thank you for sharing your opinions though!!!

Nice try, but the piers are actually in District 4

District 4 ends at Liberty Street

perhaps you should look at your council district maps....notice how the piers are in District 4!

http://www3.coj.net/City-Council/Docs/District-4/2007district04map.aspx

I'm afraid he's got you, Scott.  The piers are in District 4 while the shore is in District 7.

I now realize there are a couple different versions of the map. My boss does not have any plans to request changes to the Shipyards property. Currently the City owns the entire parcel. As long as the City owns the property it should not matter.

[fieldafm]

That's where we respectfully disagree.  It DOES matter.  Without that seperate parcel, there is nothing that would stop a developer from buying the property intact and chosing to restrict public waterfront access on the site.  The city has the property, the next step is to protect this opportunity by ensuring it has public use.
Case in point, the Fuller Warren fishing pier.  History has proven time and time again that if we don't act to preserve, we will demolish.

I've spoken with you on the phone before, you are a very polite fellow and I thank you for that.  But I find it EXTREMELY odd that you can come on here on a public forum, but your office ignores emails upon emails.

If your boss can take the lead on the Riverwalk, why can't he take the lead on the pier in his own district?

[Noone]

For the two unopposed city council candidates and especially the one who is supposed to represent Downtown the no show at the forum that was named "Downtown Turnaround" was a slap in the face to not only the the Board members of Downtown Vision but to Terry Lorrince, her staff and every citizen who participated and took their time to show up and listen to what our elected legislative representatives are planning to do.

As for the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier the Governor of the state of Florida is aware of the issue. And he is correct in that right now its a local issue. In my opinion its turning into Shipyards III. After the elections it escalates in my opinion to another statewide joke. Scott I've emailed you. Actually I've emailed Don. Do something. Waiting for an email response back. We were there together and both heard that the pier can happen now. 2010-604- What are you afraid of?

Again I give super props to Michelle Tappouni who knows and is making an impressive attempt to understand a Downtown issue that could immediately catapult this community in how it provides access to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River in our Downtown Jacksonville Overlay Zoning District and how the total Govt takeover of our Entertainment District by a yet created DIA by a recommendation of the Jacksonville Civic Council that would still have to be voted on by our Jacksonville city council will effect our community for decades to come.  

So who's next?
Anyone who wants to see Hogans Creek from the water just give me a call.
Top of the list goes to anyone in the spring elections.
Any of the members of the Jacksonville Civic Council.
Anyone who is participating in the JCCI study which is going on right now and its called Recession, Recovery, and Beyond.
Tera Meeks-New Division Chief for Property Management and Programming
Paul Anderson- the new Director of the JPA
Daniel O"Byrne new Director of Visit Jacksonville.

Be concerned. Keep score.

Have any of the candidates agreed to file the legislation?

Are you kidding. They are not in a position of legislative authority. Any of the candidates.  Don can file the legislation. And for the record I've been directed to go to the barbershop too. File the legislation. What are you afraid of?

When is the next Board meeting of Downtown Vision? Open up the Pier. Use the River. Don, can't make any more excuses and pass the buck. Don't allow this to be Shipyards III.

 

[dougskiles]

Scott, I have enjoyed meeting you several times also.  You were very helpful to me on those occasions and I have no grievances whatsoever with how you have done your job.  What is a little troubling however, is that Councilman Redman was elected to the position - and yet we never seem to hear anything directly from him.  Would he be willing to join Metro Jacksonville and participate in a forum about the issue of the Shipyards?  I think I can speak for the others that we would all be on our best behavior.  Just look at the other forums that have occured with the candidates.  It has been very respectful.

[scottwilson]

Scott, I have enjoyed meeting you several times also.  You were very helpful to me on those occasions and I have no grievances whatsoever with how you have done your job.  What is a little troubling however, is that Councilman Redman was elected to the position - and yet we never seem to hear anything directly from him.  Would he be willing to join Metro Jacksonville and participate in a forum about the issue of the Shipyards?  I think I can speak for the others that we would all be on our best behavior.  Just look at the other forums that have occured with the candidates.  It has been very respectful.

I appreciate all the kind words. I try very hard to remain open minded and helpful.

I am sure all would be respectful but he would prefer to meet in person. For those who are interested in attending a meeting concerning the Shipyards please give me a call 630-1394. We can meet after the new Mayor is in place; that way we can include them on the discussion.

[fieldafm]

Fantastic idea!  Thank you for the accomodation.

[Noone]

No! Do it before. The Public Trust has been crushed. Destroyed. This can be Shipyards III.  The council could have attached an amendment to 2010-604 but didn't. Now you have so many factors that are just mounting and the revelation that Don CAN, COULD, and SHOULD move legislation forward will tell immediately to all the new city council members and Mayoral candidates and to the members of the Civic Council that you may be seeking a total Govt takeover and the creation and the elimination of District council representation on certain issues but there is no way in heck that you are going to take away our Promised 680'Downtown Public Pier also know as Bay St. Pier Park.

The Governor is aware of the issue. And in his letter to me said that its local. He is right. Stop using the people of this community like pawns. Don can hold a noticed meeting immediately. Warren Jones was going to do it. But you wouldn't know that because you blew off the Downtown Turnaround put on by Downtown Vision. Warren Jones is going to be part of Jacksonville's Maritime history when he joins Mayor Peyton on the opening of the floating dock at RAM.

The beautiful thing about this is that the Office of the General Council is aware of this issue and its becoming Shipyards III and that is unfortunate on so many levels.   

[scottwilson]

No! Do it before. The Public Trust has been crushed. Destroyed. This can be Shipyards III.  The council could have attached an amendment to 2010-604 but didn't. Now you have so many factors that are just mounting and the revelation that Don CAN, COULD, and SHOULD move legislation forward will tell immediately to all the new city council members and Mayoral candidates and to the members of the Civic Council that you may be seeking a total Govt takeover and the creation and the elimination of District council representation on certain issues but there is no way in heck that you are going to take away our Promised 680'Downtown Public Pier also know as Bay St. Pier Park.

The Governor is aware of the issue. And in his letter to me said that its local. He is right. Stop using the people of this community like pawns. Don can hold a noticed meeting immediately. Warren Jones was going to do it. But you wouldn't know that because you blew off the Downtown Turnaround put on by Downtown Vision. Warren Jones is going to be part of Jacksonville's Maritime history when he joins Mayor Peyton on the opening of the floating dock at RAM.

The beautiful thing about this is that the Office of the General Council is aware of this issue and its becoming Shipyards III and that is unfortunate on so many levels.   

Let Warren Jones do it then. Don and I participate in as many events as possible. No one can be at everything. He never accepted an invite to that event. I'm done arguing with you about that. Let me know when you let go of it. I do not appreciate your tone on these posts.

[Noone]

The Honorable Warren Jones offered because the city council district councilman was being negligent to his constituents.

Please, let the people of Jacksonville know how soon you are going to introduce legislation to open the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier.

You are destroying the opportunity for Public Access and Economic opportunity for the people of Jacksonville to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River in our Downtown and I can guarantee you that is one issue I'm not going to let go of. Don should be embracing this opportunity instead of turning his back. What are you being told behind the scenes?

Downtown Turnaround-Make it Happen. Please.

[Noone]

To the Honorable councilman Redman,

Please do something. Haven't returned my emails and I'm supposed to be reporting to you on this special subcommittee.

Today is Maritime history in Jacksonville on our St. Johns River our American Heritage River.

[Noone]

To the Honorable Don Redman,

City council meeting in less than 12 hours. Waterways on Wend.
You missed this important forum.
One of the biggest applause lines came when At-large Group 5 city council candidate Michelle Tappouni told the audience that we need to use the river.
Bay St. Pier Park is in your District.
You are my elected legislative representative.
You have the legislative opportunity to Make It Happen.
Please introduce legislation.

Sincerely,
John Nooney

[Noone]

If Don or Scott are there will somebody ask them if they would introduce legislation to keep the pier separate.

Would it be safe to say that whoever is the next Mayor of Jacksonville that our Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier needs to be separate from the other 40 plus acres that was Shipyards/Landmar?

[Noone]

In 14 days city council meeting
In 15 days Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. 9am council chambers.
In 16 days Board meeting of the St. Johns River Alliance.

I have been completely and totally ignored. I'm used to it. I'll attempt another email exchange with my city councilman in the days ahead. Is anyone else even trying to contact their elected legislative representative? Just curious.

[dougskiles]

Noone, I haven't bothered Art Shad with it because I knew he was leaving office.  Once Lori gets rested from her campaign, I plan on asking her what she thinks about it.  Reading back a few posts from Scott Wilson, it sounds like Councilman Redman will meet with us to discuss the issue, but he prefers to meet in person and once the election is over.  Only 7 more weeks.  Realistically, nothing is going to happen before then on anything of consequence.  It probably doesn't make sense to introduce anything either because as we have seen in Tallahassee, the new guy will want to review everything anyhow.

I do plan on attending the waterways commission with you on the 13th.

[Noone]

Doug, Your presence at Waterways on the 13 9am in council chambers will speak volumes and if anyone else can make it then don't think for one second that legislation could be immediately be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Doug, I also respectfully disagree. Forget meeting in person. That hasn't happened. 4 years later. I've never had one scheduled meeting with Don. Has anyone? Please share the experience. Legislation is the dialogue of the community. We need legislation now. Please.

He introduced legislation to move Halloween. He can introduce legislation to have the Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier separate from the disaster that was Shipyards/Landmar. That was one of the biggest campaign concerns when he ran 4 years ago.

I can perfectly understand not contacting Shad. But on the other hand can you imagine how exciting it should be for Dist. 5 and  knowing that there is this piece of legislation and expand it to Dist.14 with Dame and Love. Just like that out of the starting block the river and these historic districts could explode with a new vibrancy.

Will my councilman take the initiative and get the credit. We will know soon. I hope he does. That is why we have District representation.

In the meantime mention to councilwoman elect Boyer if she would like to take a pre victory paddle with you, Jacob, Field and anybody else on Hogans Creek.