Only Televised Mayoral Debate Tonight

[mtraininjax]

However, he really needs to show DT a little tlc.

Why? Because DT features 2000 residents as compared with the 800,000+ others in outlying areas? Again, why do people who go to SJTC really need to make DT an issue?

[vicupstate]

However, he really needs to show DT a little tlc.

Why? Because DT features 2000 residents as compared with the 800,000+ others in outlying areas? Again, why do people who go to SJTC really need to make DT an issue?

Because Jacksonville will be judged by it's Downtown more than any area of town.  Because DT is the only area that is not just a cookie-cutter franchise-built creation, virtually identical to that found in any other city. Because DT produces far more tax revenue than it consumes, even in it's depressed state.  Because DT contains the majority of public areas and buildings that provide the image of Jacksonville to the rest of the world.  Because DT is the oldest and most historic part of the city as well as it's geographic core.

If DT dies it will spread outward to the rest of the city eventually.         

[wsansewjs]

However, he really needs to show DT a little tlc.

Why? Because DT features 2000 residents as compared with the 800,000+ others in outlying areas? Again, why do people who go to SJTC really need to make DT an issue?

Because Jacksonville will be judged by it's Downtown more than any area of town.  Because DT is the only area that is not just a cookie-cutter franchise-built creation, virtually identical to that found in any other city. Because DT produces far more tax revenue than it consumes, even in it's depressed state.  Because DT contains the majority of public areas and buildings that provide the image of Jacksonville to the rest of the world.  Because DT is the oldest and most historic part of the city as well as it's geographic core.

If DT dies it will spread outward to the rest of the city eventually.   

I agree with you on the DT thing, except the last bolded statement which is really hard to prove.

-Josh

[Coolyfett]

The debate is basically over.  To be honest, this wasn't really a debate.  It was a timed Q&A session.

Yeah, it was really boring. I was hoping for some back-and-forth but that was just boring. Really boring. 

Thats the Jacksonville style of doing things....yep

[mtraininjax]

Because Jacksonville will be judged by it's Downtown more than any area of town.  Because DT is the only area that is not just a cookie-cutter franchise-built creation, virtually identical to that found in any other city. Because DT produces far more tax revenue than it consumes, even in it's depressed state.  Because DT contains the majority of public areas and buildings that provide the image of Jacksonville to the rest of the world.  Because DT is the oldest and most historic part of the city as well as it's geographic core.

If DT dies it will spread outward to the rest of the city eventually. 

You should run for mayor! Oh wait, we already have 1 cheerleader for downtown. DT will be fine regardless of who is mayor. DT cannot fix what ails the community, jobs. 10% unemployment. Ask people with underwater mortgages if they care about fixing downtown or a job, they vote with their wallet everytime.

[fsujax]

I am underwater, and I care about Downtown. A vibrant, job creating Downtown helps all of Duval County by increasing a tax base that no other neighborhood could match.

[mtraininjax]

I am underwater, and I care about Downtown. A vibrant, job creating Downtown helps all of Duval County by increasing a tax base that no other neighborhood could match.

Who isn't underwater? You cannot fix 17% tax revenue base to 3% overnight. You won't do it over 4 years either. Meanwhile sacrificing the rest of the neighborhoods is not smart either. Simply put, if the majority of Brown's focus is downtown, he will lose. The tax revenue comes from other parts of the city and they demand to be heard by the candidates.

Nice advertisement of Brown in Avondale though at the Shops in front of the Brick restaurant, although Steve owns the sidewalk in front of his building, I'll have to ask him if he plans to vote for Brown. May have to apply the White/Yellow cab boycott in front of the Brick. But with Mojo's #4 opening, I don't think we'll be hard pressed to find a new go to place. Yawn.....

[urbaknight]

However, he really needs to show DT a little tlc.

Why? Because DT features 2000 residents as compared with the 800,000+ others in outlying areas? Again, why do people who go to SJTC really need to make DT an issue?

I wish we could separate the SJTC area from the rest of JAX. Their influence has destroyed DT.

[thelakelander]

If DT dies it will spread outward to the rest of the city eventually.  

I agree with you on the DT thing, except the last bolded statement which is really hard to prove.

-Josh

Cities like Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Buffalo, etc. are great real life examples of what can happen to an entire municipality when the downtown and the immediate area around it dies.

[mtraininjax]

I wish we could separate the SJTC area from the rest of JAX. Their influence has destroyed DT.

We already have. The FBI moved out there from the Federal Building downtown to Gate Parkway, a number of state agencies are out of downtown, Florida DEP is on Baymeadows Way. US Army corp of engineers is on San Marco Blvd. Even the city moved agencies to Midtown Center and around the city in outlying areas. SJTC is not done growing, as are the areas around Gate Parkway and further east with all that undeveloped land.

Its an amazing exodus of rats from a sinking ship.

[Timkin]

Detroit is especially sad.  So many beautiful homes and buildings... Jacksonville is Hauntingly following suit.

[danno]

A the rate we are loosing our homes and buildings we may have passed Detroit!

[thelakelander]

I wish we could separate the SJTC area from the rest of JAX. Their influence has destroyed DT.

SJTC has no more of an impact on DT now than Gateway, Regency, Philips and Normandy Malls did 40 years ago.  History proves DT's decline is a result of relocating the rail and maritime industries outside it's borders. That took out thousands of employees and tourist, which eventually  led to most hotels closing in the 70s and major retail leaving for the burbs in the 80s. Looking forward, it isn't SJTC stuff that will bring DT back.  The focus should be on creating an organic economic base to make DT a self sustaining environment again.

[fsujax]

The FBI was located off of Arlington Expressway. I took a friend there for a job interview once. The Army Corps, may not be on the northbank, but they are in the Prudential Building on the southbank. If I am not mistaken that is still part of Downtown.

[Timkin]

Downtown , once vibrant and full of practically any type of destination one could think of , was killed by taking all of it away and making downtown mostly office spaces.  Until that is changed/reversed/whatever it will remain desolate.. It is a long stretch to say there is nothing to go for , but compared to 40 years ago there is nothing.  since there is so much vacant property there, something on the order of a Town Center development in the downtown area might help.