"Replacement" Downtown?

[geauxtigers31]

I don't think anything will ever replace downtown, obviously. But I do think there is something to be said about the need for multiple urban centers throughout a city. I think the SJTC area can be the young professionals part of town that is fun and trendy, Buckhead in Atlanta comes to mind. As property prices increase and UNF grows I wouldn't be surprised to see high rise condos start to go up in that area in the next 5-10 years. Can you imagine the views from there?
Connect the two with public transport and you'll have a situation of collaboration. There is no reason to view the Southside as competition with Downtown. The fact of the matter is many of my young professional friends WANT to live in southside-esque neighborhoods with well known chains, movie theatres, and closer proximity to the beach, even if we had a stronger downtown. They like visiting downtown, riverside, etc., but don't want to live there. We need lots of different neighborhoods that attract all kinds. If people don't see the great asset that the Southside is to Jacksonville, they need to imagine this city without it. Whether you wanna live there or not, alot of people do.
The question should be how can we make them synergize?

[peestandingup]

Some people don't explore outside of the immediate area where they live and work.

A situation that is certainly compounded when you live in a city that is approximately six billion square miles.

I met a woman who's lived in Jax her whole life (Southside) & never even heard of Memorial Park in Riverside. No shit. And she's young (late 20s).

What do these people do all day? Hang out at Target & fight gridlock traffic?? I'd slit my wrists.

[Yossarianlives]

When John Delaney was interviewing for the position of president of UNF I read that he made the argument that the "center" of the city was shifting and that UNF was in what would be considered in the years to come as the "new center" of the city.  I think that this might have some validity with new development, but that does not mean that downtown needs to be "replaced."  The idea that this city needs "ONE" area that people frequent is one of the problems we face as proponents of downtown development.  There can be more than one entertainment district in the city.  For goodness sake we have nearly 1.5 million people living here.  Why can't there be entertainment downtown, at the beaches AND on the southside?  Different events for different people OR simply a lot of options. 

Best.

[danem]

When John Delaney was interviewing for the position of president of UNF I read that he made the argument that the "center" of the city was shifting and that UNF was in what would be considered in the years to come as the "new center" of the city.  I think that this might have some validity with new development, but that does not mean that downtown needs to be "replaced."  The idea that this city needs "ONE" area that people frequent is one of the problems we face as proponents of downtown development.  There can be more than one entertainment district in the city.  For goodness sake we have nearly 1.5 million people living here.  Why can't there be entertainment downtown, at the beaches AND on the southside?  Different events for different people OR simply a lot of options. 

Best.

I've said in another thread that SJTC is only going to get so big and so popular before more centers of activity are needed. I think they're needed right now. I'm thinking maybe one that can rise up rather quickly -- where there are already buildings and infrastructure available...perhaps one that's next to some beautiful natural landmark...like a river or something. 

[peestandingup]

When John Delaney was interviewing for the position of president of UNF I read that he made the argument that the "center" of the city was shifting and that UNF was in what would be considered in the years to come as the "new center" of the city.  I think that this might have some validity with new development, but that does not mean that downtown needs to be "replaced."  The idea that this city needs "ONE" area that people frequent is one of the problems we face as proponents of downtown development.  There can be more than one entertainment district in the city.  For goodness sake we have nearly 1.5 million people living here.  Why can't there be entertainment downtown, at the beaches AND on the southside?  Different events for different people OR simply a lot of options. 
Best.

I think that when Delaney made those statements there was sound reason to believe in that paradigm.

He couldnt have foreseen the crash of the American economy, the ongoing effects of global warming, the revolutionary effects of web based communication, or 6 dollar a gallon gasoline.

Yossarian, its not a question of why we can't have multiple areas.  We can.  But they cant all be 20 to 30 minutes away from each other and surrounded by low density zones.

Its making us go broke.

Bingo! And we already have this infrastructure in place, so that's what we need to work with. It's there, it's more efficient & better connected.

We don't need any more development or a "new" downtown, that pipe dream's over. Just less restrictions on what we have & better programs to promote growth therein.

[L.P. Hovercraft]

I want to puke when I hear someone say this. The southside will NEVER be Downtown! it has no vibe, history, charm, character, nothing! sure it has traffic and massive parking lots, big deal.

+1

[buckethead]

Cruise ship office buildings and oceanic surface lots do not make something a downtown.

I thought one more word would make this line poetic.

[thelakelander]

Only in Jax do we believe a place like the Southside can become a replacement DT. In reality, most metros our size have multiple suburban SJTC-style strips and still have vibrant DTs and inner city neighborhoods. The only thing holding Jax back is the people living in and leading it. Nevertheless, even if every business shut down in DT, there would be no replacement. We'd just be one large sprawler with a dead DT....sort of like Fayetteville, NC.

[Garden guy]

It's all about building permits...without a good hand on them....we're all screwed...

[buckethead]

Whatever happened to JC?

   

[Timkin]

[buckethead]

Whatever happened to JC?

   

The site is too conservative, apparently.  Completely over run with Right Wingers.

Well I miss that poster. Quick witted and bright. Often disagreed, but that's what I like the most. I don't learn a thing from people I always agree with. (I don't know any like that anyway) 

[Garden guy]

Whatever happened to JC?

   

The site is too conservative, apparently.  Completely over run with Right Wingers.

It kinda is
but i read anyway...

[buckethead]

I like the posters who think the site leans right. Especially those who could carry a debate with substance.

JC was (is) among those.