Town Center Construction

[fsujax]

NIce photo comparison. I did mispeak, Mike is correct regarding the intersection improvements at BCBS. The City put $500,000 towards it. Guess, I dont know everything afterall! :-)

[Jason]

Bottom line: this has been a multi-decadal transition that still has a LONG LONG LONG way to go.  Jacksonville can partly force it with better land planning and zoning, but ultimately it's going to mostly be a natural progression that results from unbearable traffic, rising land costs, lack of availability of land, and city investment in the core (thereby making it attractive for people to visit and play in, and potentially live in).

Could not agree more Simms.  We do have a long road ahead of us, however, a LOT can be learned from cities like Atlanta and Miami, even Charlotte.  These are the types of transitioning cities that our Chamber of Commerce and elected professionals should be visiting on "field trips".  And lift the damn moritorium on the award winning Mobility Plan so that WE can become the example to follow!!!!!!

[fsquid]

Spent some time in Charlotte a few months ago. It may be trivial but Whisky River has two locations, one in Charlotte and one in Jacksonville. Look at the two locations and figure out why one city is driving in neutral.

The Blackfinn for Charlotte is also at Epicentre.  I believe the one in JAX is at SJTC.

[fsujax]

^^you are correct.

[copperfiend]

I think Whisky River, Suite, Blackfinn may all be operated by the same company.

Suite (for comparison)

[fsquid]

Funny part is that Whiskey River and Suite draw the same people in Charlotte as they do in Jacksonville.  Rural folks that drive into the "city" for the night.    Love how country folks will pay $5 for a Bud Light!

[fsujax]

That picture of Suite in Charlotte is how I could imagine Brooklyn developing.

[copperfiend]

That picture of Suite in Charlotte is how I could imagine Brooklyn developing.

That would be pretty cool but the plans I have seen for the residential development there are pretty terrible.

[JayBird]

As a resident of Fleming Island, I go to SJTC all of the time, both for shopping and to go to Suite and Whisky River.  Yes, that is where people from "rural" areas go because it is closest thing to nightlife Jax has.  Bay Street is great, Landing is a waste unless there is something like FL-GA game bc Mavericks is not that big of a draw.  After growing up in Jersey and living in NYC for a few years I would love to go downtown and live and work and party.  Here is why I don't: whenever I go there I have to turn someone down asking for money, I have to find and pay for parking because the only mass transit is a bus system that doesn't even operate main lines 24 hours and has no idea what a light rail or commuter rail is; there are no shops that would interest me with the exception of the Riverside Arts Market which is actually a great place; and why would I work or live somewhere that at 7pm is mostly deserted?  Is Town Center great?  No, I have to drive around forever looking for parking ... the only place I can really walk is the main street, if I wanted to go to Target, Barnes and Noble and then have lunch at Chipotle, thats three different parking spots I have to search for.  How do you change SJTC ... you don't, it is almost like it will take on a life of its own growing until it can consume no more ... but you can make downtown Jax more accessible.  If you build it they will come; but if you build something to bring them there, and something for them to do there, they will stay.

[fsujax]

I have alwyas been in support of giving the people asking for money downtown a one-way bus pass to the Town Center. When they ask me for money I tell them they are asking the wrong person and should be at the SJTC. Parking is never an issue, lunchtime, evening or the weekend, I always find a spot, did it today at lunch time. High noon I parked right on the corner of Laura St and Forsyth, walked to the Landing, purchased my mothers day gifts at the new local boutiques that have opened and ate lunch. By the way there are plans for commuter rail in case you didnt know.

[tufsu1]

I have to find and pay for parking because the only mass transit is a bus system that doesn't even operate main lines 24 hours and has no idea what a light rail or commuter rail is

so you don't go downtown for nightlife because you have to pay to park?  Umm, street spots are free after 6pm and on weekends!

[copperfiend]

I have to find and pay for parking because the only mass transit is a bus system that doesn't even operate main lines 24 hours and has no idea what a light rail or commuter rail is

so you don't go downtown for nightlife because you have to pay to park?  Umm, street spots are free after 6pm and on weekends!

Maybe he was talking about the price gouging at the Landing lot.

[JayBird]

Umm ... perhaps I wasn't clear, I like Bay Street ... think its great ... but why park three blocks away with "free parking" where I have to walk past the poor guy sleeping on a building doorstep and two guys asking for money for the bus (which at 2am when bars and clubs are closing doesn't even run) when I can go to SJTC and park right in front of the bar, in a lighted lot with police patrolling constantly (they even have little golf carts now, which I think is funny but safer none the less).  Parking is not easy if you want to shop in SJTC during day ... and DT would definetely attract the crowds because it is centralized and no matter where you go in the country "downtown" always draws people ... just out of curiosity I guess if nothing else, but there is nothing DT that would make me go there.  Everything there is for people who work right there or live right there.  Which is nice for them, but no reason for me to go.  And yes, I know and love the commuter rail project they've talked about ... but its just talk.  It would be great if they could do it, but as of now ... it doesn't help anyone.  And being that it is at least 3 to 5 years down the road, that train has left the station. 

[fsquid]

booooo to that pun.

[JayBird]

booooo to that pun.

I cringed when writing it ... but seriously, it seems to me that the time for commuter rail is now because that will allow DT to grow and other areas around commuter rail stations to grow as well.  People don't go to SJTC because they want to ... they go because they have to.  If I could catch a train to go downtown do all my shopping and spend the day there, you bet I would be there and would have no problem taking family there.  Instead of now, when I go to Jags or Suns game, a show at Times Union or Veterans and then jump on the highway to go somewhere else for dinner or after party.  Its a shame to have a riverfront Downtown that most people only know by driving through it to get to their destination and then leave.  I am guilty of this too ... but it is all about convenience.