Peyton introduces new Downtown promotional campaign

[thelakelander]

Mayor John Peyton has a full calendar every day and Wednesday afternoon, it was full of appointments at the Landing.

The first item on his schedule was a reception attended by more than 50 Downtown merchants and advocates where Peyton shared what the Downtown Action Committee has been working on including a new promotional inititative and the first new Downtown event which will be held next week.

“It’s time to refocus on Downtown. I’ve got 38 months left in office which is plenty of time to move the ball on a few key issues. Downtown is one of them,” he said.

With the theme, “Make a Scene Downtown!” the City is hosting a party May 15 on the top level of the Water Street parking garage with a live reggae band and food and drink specials.

Peyton said the idea for the after-work event came out of the committee’s efforts to identify ways to improve the impression people have of Downtown and get more people to come Downtown for street-level special events.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=50000

[thelakelander]

I applaud them in their efforts to make a scene downtown.  However, the idea to host a part on the top of a parking garage doesn't make much sense, if the goal is to get more people to come downtown for street level events.

Remember, the term "connectivity"?  It applies to special events as well.  Next time around substitute the Water Street garage, with Hemming Plaza or Laura Street instead. 

[billbo]

I applaud them in their efforts to make a scene downtown.  However, the idea to host a part on the top of a parking garage doesn't make much sense, if the goal is to get more people to come downtown for street level events.

Remember, the term "connectivity"?  It applies to special events as well.  Next time around substitute the Water Street garage, with Hemming Plaza or Laura Street instead. 

All the seats in Hemming Plaza are already taken. 

[thelakelander]

We can clear them by having a public feeding that day in the $700k outdoor litter box, a block away off Main Street.

[Jason]

Great work Mr. Mayor.  I too applaud your efforts but, like Lakelander, don't see the benefit of throwing a party on top of a parking garage.

Why not work with Sleghman on opening up the Landing to the street thereby connecting the Landing's regular concerts and events to the rest of the city?

[Driven1]

this is laughable.

plus, does anyone else see the irony here???

With the theme, “Make a Scene Downtown!” the City is hosting a party May 15 on the top level of the Water Street parking garage with a live reggae band and food and drink specials.

Peyton said the idea for the after-work event came out of the committee’s efforts to identify ways to improve the impression people have of Downtown and get more people to come Downtown for street-level special events.

[Driven1]

We can clear them by having a public feeding that day in the $700k outdoor litter box, a block away off Main Street.

yeah...i heard there was a WHOLE LOT of poo poo in that pocket park. 

[Webini]

“Up until now, our focus has been to get people in and out of Jaguars games as quickly as possible. The Super Bowl proved football can be very good for business if people stick around.”

LOL, what a funny statement...

[thelakelander]

I seriously hope they can find a meeting point between the downtown community and JSO, in regards to game day traffic movements.  Right now, thousands of potential customers are being lost because downtown's streets are converted into exit-less one way freeways to I-95.

[Driven1]

Great work Mr. Mayor.  I too applaud your efforts but...

Jason...you sound like an advisor to a Sim City Mayor. 

[JaguarReign]

They're going to have a Reggae band? That sounds more like Honolulu. Wouldn't it make more sense to have a classic rock band or a country band.

[Jason]

Great work Mr. Mayor.  I too applaud your efforts but...

Jason...you sound like an advisor to a Sim City Mayor. 

I'll be putting on a parade to honor his valiant decision. 


Seriously, this attempt (although seemingly ill-conceived) looks to be a serious attempt at refocusing some of the energy downtown.  I feel some credit is due for his efforts.  We won't know the full extent of his plans until they are released and/or implemented so I'll hold out judgement until then.

[heights unknown]

Mayor Peyton will never, ever get it.  On top of a parking garage, come on; and on a week day to boot, after work, when everyone will be clamoring, fighting, and bull rushing to get home. 

How about picking a weekend day and holding it in Hemming Plaza (we can retake those seats in Hemming Plaza for a one day event), or block off certain streets on a Sunday and hold it around and in Hemming Plaza, or how about at the Landing having the band on the stage in the Courtyard?  ........not bad for a business adminstration graduate huh?

Mayor Peyton, please get a grip, in all due respect sir.  Thank you.

Heights Unknown

[JeffreyS]

Every party can't be exactly where you want it to be. I'm a Peyton basher generally but he did a good thing here try not to nit pick.

A focus on downtown 
A plan for continued promotion 
Involving downtown merchants 
Following advice of Metro Jacksonville 

A small detail not exactly what you might plan (no biggie)

[JeffreyS]

A rooftop party in the night air right now sounds cool.