Does turning off streetlights hinder economic development in Jacksonville?

[thelakelander]

Count the NAIOP in the group that doesn't believe we can cut our way to prosperity....

NAIOP of Northeast Florida, a group of commercial real estate professionals, is urging the city to reverse its decision to turn off 2,300 streetlights throughout Jacksonville. The cost-cutting measure was approved in the budget, to save $300,000, and the lights were turned off in late 2012.
NAIOP President Traci Jenks sent a letter to Mayor Alvin Brown on Feb. 11 but as of late Friday hadn’t received a response. See NAIOP’s letter to the mayor below.

full article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/2013/02/jacksonville-streetlights-hinder-biz-dev.html?iana=ind_cre

[chipwich]

I do not know how the city is turning off the street lights.  Are they turning off entire streets? (bad idea)...or are they just turning off every other light?  ...or perhpas one side of the street?(reasonable ideas)

Honestly, I do not disagree with the idea of turning off street lights late at night, especially on lightly traveled roads that may not get much use at night. 

I have always wondered why streetlights were not motion activiated.  That seems most efficient.  They seem to have figured out the technology in the grocery store freezer isles.
...  At the very least maybe turn off every other light after midnight.  It is a waste of energy and cars can operate with almost as much visibility if every other light were turned off.  It would also amount to a great deal of carbon savings if every city did this.

Furthermore, why doesn't the city make JEA use its ridiculously high reserves to swap out all street lights for new, LED lighting, thus reducing overall energy consumption for years and years to come.  Heck, if streetlights were changed to LED, you may not need to turn them off at all.  Win-win I guess

[fsujax]

Drive down Myrtle Ave near JTA look up, all the lights with red tape on them are now off at night. It is almost all of them. Very sad that our City leaders think this is a good way to cut costs. I think it sends a horrible message about the city to the outside. Our Mayor runs around acting like this is something to be proud of. Look at how much we are saving. Really?

[Charles Hunter]

Interesting, the group that constantly pressures Council to cut taxes is now whining about the City turning off some street lights near their businesses?  Shouldn't as folks who "built it themselves" provide their own security lighting, and not depend on those socialist public street lights?

On another point - turning off street lights does not just affect cars (that have their own lights), it makes it dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists out at night.

[ricker]

^
to your point, in many places througout Jax, sidewalks lead you nowhere before abrubtly ending, so folks walk in the road,
try driving an unfamiliar road of indeterminable width, in the rain, with worn stripes, guardrails hidden in overgowth along the shoulders over a deep canal, and limited to no overhead lighting at best,
Try It I Urge YOU.
See if you wouldn't be calling to politely ask such pole ##### be relamped.
or Email

THE LIGHT S AND POSTS ARE ALREADY THERE STANDING!
6302489
CALL

Mytle is ridiculous.

[thelakelander]

You mean like this....





I noticed the lights turned off Bowden between I-95 and Philips Highway last night.  Yes, I can see how such an atmosphere would increase the risk for a cyclist or pedestrian and also have some sort of negative economic impact on commercial uses.

[copperfiend]

Drive down Myrtle Ave near JTA look up, all the lights with red tape on them are now off at night. It is almost all of them. Very sad that our City leaders think this is a good way to cut costs. I think it sends a horrible message about the city to the outside. Our Mayor runs around acting like this is something to be proud of. Look at how much we saving. Really?

I agree. Big picture, we aren't even talking about a lot of money. And for something that so few people seem to be in favor of.

[peestandingup]

Drive down Myrtle Ave near JTA look up, all the lights with red tape on them are now off at night. It is almost all of them. Very sad that our City leaders think this is a good way to cut costs. I think it sends a horrible message about the city to the outside. Our Mayor runs around acting like this is something to be proud of. Look at how much we saving. Really?

I agree. Big picture, we aren't even talking about a lot of money. And for something that so few people seem to be in favor of.

Because its nothing but a pat each other on the back circle jerk, *instead of real investments that would save money in the long run, while keeping the power on. Same things we do with development & infrastructure.

*Solar powered streetlights coupled with LED.

[sandyshoes]

Seems to me it could also cause an increase in crime to turn out street lights. 

[Noone]

Yes. It hinders development.
We are not open for Business!
We are open for corruption though.
Free parking for city council members and judges. 2012-202 (How many lights would that turn on)
2 Billion unfunded pension liability. 2005-1007
Shipyards $36,500,000 gone.
FSCJ and the midnight email for an extra $500,000 then voted on by the board in less that 24 hours. Just this one recent example and there is your lighting for a year.
The JTA golden parachute to Blaylock for over a quarter of a million voted on by a board.
And how about the most recent a pension for a convicted JSO sex offender by a Board 3-1 in favor. We are talking over a million dollars for a convicted felon. This example is lighting for years.
Palms Fish Camp next to a FIND project. A million bucks and you never opened the door. CHA CHING! How do you sign up for this stuff?
Throw in some of your own favorite examples. There are more.
150 real people were let go from the city.
The business closures. Merita, Food Lion the K Marts.
But let's Reward and Honor the out of control corruption.
Turn on the lights so Jacksonville can see.
We are so LOST.