The Basics of Successful Downtown Revitalization

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Basics of Successful Downtown Revitalization



Redeveloping a struggling downtown environment doesn't have to be rocket science.  More important than focusing on major newspaper headline grabbing gimmick projects is the implementation of a street environment that clusters complementing uses within a compact pedestrian scale setting.  Instead of going outside of Jacksonville to display this concept, we'll learn from ourselves by turning back the clock to May 3, 1901.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-may-the-basics-of-successful-downtown-revitalization

[Anti redneck]

Great article, but I doubt anyone will catch on.

[vicupstate]

Where are the vacant lots? Aren't those mandatory?

[Debbie Thompson]

Wow. Great points.  We don't have to visit Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Ybor City or anywhere else. All we have to do is visit our own history to make downtown to work.  We've already re-invented the wheel once a hundred years ago, and it worked well until we undid it during urban renewal mid-century.

[JeffreyS]

No no no sure that would work there but in Jax!   Wait errrr.....nevermind.  Great job.

[vicupstate]

All we have to do is visit our own history to make downtown to work.

They better hurry, the bulldozers are at full throttle. Next stop City Hall Annex and the Courthouse.

[jcjohnpaint]

Yeah I think having all council member be forced to visit this site once a day would help this city immensely. 

[urbaknight]

^agreed, I was just thinking the same exact thing.

[dougsandiego]

This is a pithy and very effective article; a great teaching tool.

[Timkin]

I am curious... since the fire of 1901, I wonder how many of the buildings that replaced those destroyed by the fire, exist now?


Great Article.

[fsujax]

Anyone notice what's missing in those pics? no trees or fancy landscaping.

[jerry cornwell]

  Great story, valid points made as always by Ennis.
  That being said, revitalization is underway along the lines of East Greenwich Village, NYC in the late "80s. I dont see traditional business having any impact in immediate development of Downtown. As it hasn't occurred in more than 5 years. Indeed, IMHO, its gone backward ever since the closing of Boomtown DT.
  With numerous clubs, venues open or opening soon (Underbelly's at the end of this month, or June) DT moves as an artist's dream. Affordable rents and abundance of large appropriate spaces, DT is showing good signs of growth that's wont be reflected in business statistics until this valuable asset of cultural presence is realized.
   DT development  should be tied to Mac Eastons apparent success of the CoRK art district. With all artists spaces rented out of all three phases and a waiting list in hand, Mac has ample space DT to move forward. And other DT developers should take note of Mac's recent success.
   I know as a tenant of CoRK, I may betray a bias towards Jax art community. But Ive also been active in DT revitalization, trying to buy real estate DT around 2007 and living at DTs MetroLofts at the same time. Also I try to support DT by attending those clubs DT.
  One thing I feel strong about is that Jacksonville is a viable metropolitan center with an area population over one million. Jacksonville, with the presence of two underrated universities anchored in liberal arts, is in a great position to move ahead of many other competing metro areas. And indeed has been. The city IS getting good population growth in these times.
  For short term revitalization of DT, we are concentrating on cultural development DT. What we here can do is support it by attending these new businesses that already are DT.

[Bativac]

It is clear to me, from this article, there's only one solution: burn downtown to the ground!!!

In all seriousness, downtown revitalization efforts seem to suffer from someone periodically deciding "what Jacksonville needs is..." and then trying to come up with some new thing that will magically restore Downtown Jacksonville to a center of commerce and activity. Meanwhile most of the city doesn't care because they don't live in or near downtown and don't want their tax dollars spent there. A new overpass on Kernan is okay because their commute will be 10 minutes shorter, but you want to spend HOW MUCH on DOWNTOWN?? Everyone knows that place is full of crime, homeless people, and desperation.

[Jax2FOE]

Jacksonville's downtown was a happen'n place once. It can be again, we would just need to clean the "cobwebs" out (Kimberly Daniels, Clay Yarborough, Don Redman, etc.) from the City Council and bring in some people with fresh ideas.  Jacksonville needs a fresh new start

[BackinJax05]

^^ All we need to do this is another Great Fire. LOL