Peyton introduces new Downtown promotional campaign

[thelakelander]

I just recieved a phone call from one of the even's planners. Just so everyone will know:

1. A garage party was chosen because event planners felt a garage would allow guests to park and party in a single location. 

2. A party on top of the deck would allow attendees to enjoy the sunset.

3. The Water Street location was chosen because the party had to be on a flat deck and Water Street is the city's only garage with a flat top deck.

4. All downtown vendors are encouraged to set up vending booths for free.

5. The party is free for everyone.

6. Private money was donated to make the party a reality.

[thelakelander]

Now putting on my "urban planner's" hat, for a one time or periodical event, the location should be fine.  However, if it is going to become a weekly event, it should be shifted to a more visual/central location.  Its amazing how fast you can enliven a space when you flood it with a diverse amount of activites on a regular basis.  People attract people and the image of a place can change dramatically when you have people walking on the sidewalks (ex. sidewalks with buildings/businesses on them, as opposed to parking lots), attending events that interact with actual business locations.  Plus, when there's private dollars involved and it has the city's backing, those become stronger reasons why these events should be planned in a fashion that can benefit the area the most.

[Steve]

That's the thing - it's not that I think the part is a bad idea, but if there goals is to enhance street level activity, then why is it 10 floors up?

[thelakelander]

Although its a couple of floors up, perhaps something can be done at street level to inform the un-informed passerbyer that there is a free event taking place on top of the deck. 

[walter]

I think its a great start. At least something is being done by Peyton about the revitalization of downtown. I am in Honolulu right now and I must tell you the downtown here is a ghost town after 5 pm even on the weekends. However, we have Waikiki to fall back on, but that doesn't mean there is anything to do in Honolulu. This city is pretty boring unless you like to club and drink all the time. Trust me, Jacksonville has so much more to offer than even the popular tourist destination of Honolulu. At least downtown Jacksonville will now, hopefully, have a weekly event to go to. 

you need to get down to Chinatown, particularly for one of the First Fridays.  There are tons of bars, restaurants and clubs going off into the night down there.  http://www.greatescapes.com/ci_6414761?source=most_viewed

not to mention they have one of the best Irish Pubs around, Murphys, down on Merchant and Nuuanu, which always amazes me that Downtown Jax doesn't have a decent Irish Pub.  Just get out of the business center and theres a lot going on at night, much more than here thats for sure.