Elements of Urbanism: Denver

[Keith-N-Jax]

The city should take advantage of its rather unique climate, but it doesn't. :\

+1.  Stop planting South Florida native Palms everywhere, and plant some Live Oaks and make more places look like Hemming Plaza.

South Florida native palms would not even survive the winter here in Jax!

[simms3]

Might I add that a mere thousands spent by the downtown BID to install planters in wrought iron beds along the street on a heavily trafficed and pedestrian intense corridor has killed many birds with one stone:

1) separated vehicular/bicycle traffic and pedestrian traffic by more than just curbs
1a) protected both vehicles/bikes and pedestrians by discouraging/preventing J-walking
2) improved the aesthetics of a dense/concrete area
3) made the corridor more attractive to tourists/visitors who may only see that area on their stay
4) made the corridor more attractive to local residents, workers and current/new retailers (which include CVS and Jos. A Bank)
5) made it easier for landlords and developers to push their projects and attract tenants
5a) higher rents/increased occupancy/higher pricing can only boost the tax rolls



Again easy peasy stuff for Jacksonville simply to consider and copy, but it won't.

[fieldafm]

Downtown already has a special taxing district.  Those funds however are often rolled into the general fund to make up for deficits elsewhere.  It doesn't need another taxing district.  Downtown business owners are already going to absorb a significant increase in garbage collection fees starting in October.   

Some of the fees currently levied, collected and distributed do need to be administered in a more fair way. 

[simms3]

^^^Well that defeats the whole purpose of a special taxing district now doesn't it?

So what you're telling me is that all the great things done in Denver and replicated to a degree in close by southeastern cities can't be done in Jacksonville?

What's the website for the oganization that runs the BID/CID for downtown Jacksonville?

[Ocklawaha]

It's well past time for a massive 'Better Jacksonville II,' plan to extend the tax and add a new layer. I'd peddle it with a few fixes on roads such as Blanding, the JTB flyover, etc. simply enough to kill opposition from the 'hug your car right wing'. Then focus the bulk of the improvements on fixed mass transit, streetcar, commuter rail, aerial cable tram, bus rapid transit, JRTC, a vastly improved JTA bus system, adding ticket vending machines, real time information at larger stops, and next bus I-phone/android apps. The other major investment would be in the river walks extensions and huge public QOL additions.

[vicupstate]

It's well past time for a massive 'Better Jacksonville II,' plan to extend the tax and add a new layer. I'd peddle it with a few fixes on roads such as Blanding, the JTB flyover, etc. simply enough to kill opposition from the 'hug your car right wing'. Then focus the bulk of the improvements on fixed mass transit, streetcar, commuter rail, aerial cable tram, bus rapid transit, JRTC, a vastly improved JTA bus system, adding ticket vending machines, real time information at larger stops, and next bus I-phone/android apps. The other major investment would be in the river walks extensions and huge public QOL additions.

You're right, but the BJP I already takes the revenue for the next 12 or so years, if I remember correctly.  Plus the voters would never approve it.  The perception is that millions have been spent on transit, which only poor people use and to no benefit of the  other 90% of the population.   Likewise, the perception is milions have already been spent Downtown, which little to nothing to show for it.  Plus all the GOBs would profit from it. 

There's no leadershp or trust in the local government.  That is a prerequsite to passage.       

[climber]

Im a recent transplant in Denver from Jax, where i grew up.  I have to say, the comparison between the two cities is night and day.  In Denver, you have an environment of constant growth and development aimed at making the city better and more attractive for businesses and individuals (ex- the large scale expansion of b-cycle, light rail, and the Union Station development, which is already 60% done).  I live downtown and take the 16th street mall bus to work, and can walk to so many restaurants and bars and football or baseball games, along with tons of other like-minded people.  In Jacksonville, my friends and i tried to go from 5 points to the Beer Fest next to the suns stadium using public transportation, which was literally impossible per the jta website. Another case in point- in Denver we have an historic trolley that runs to and from REI along the platte to the stadium during Broncos games for free. Jacksonville, are you listening?...I didn't think so.