Visit Jax CEO says "City Leaders hinder tourism"

[Ocklawaha]

Id love to see examples of a successful downtown thats being run by the southern baptist convention and its people...i cant see anything good successful or definitely not ...end that rein and i cen see it......i say the city pay to get th toobe out to the westside or somewhere else...those people scare everyone away....

Okay GG, Let's try NASHVILLE, HOME OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION!

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-nashville

...DING!

[Tacachale]

Why do we keep responding to that overt troll?

[icarus]

My only complaint about FBC is that I wish they could have done more with the 1st floor of their facilities to make the several blocks they occupy more inviting. The few blocks behind City Hall seem pretty stark.  Back to silos, everyone needs to be engaged. I am sure FBC would like to see the homeless issue addressed and a more vibrant downtown just as much as the rest of us.

[Noone]

John, I think you may have met Paul Astleford -- he was at the JAX2025 meetings and was highly engaged in the process. Great guy who sees the potential of Jacksonville and what we should become, especially if/when we harness the positive energy and action in the community and work together on a shared vision.

If you didn't invite him to kayak with you, I'm sure it's not too late ...

If/When- How about NOW! So JCCI is one of the organizations that he engaged. Who are the other 31? The Public Trust has just been destroyed and crushed in this community. What team is he on with the JCCI follow up? Put me down I'll be there. let's open up the SILO.

There is a Waterways meeting 9/10 at 9:30 am or it's 10 on River Issues. Next day 9/11/13 Jacksonville Waterways Commission meeting. The DIA will have a new CRA for the USA and that Public process is going on.  Will JCCI  be there? Before you harness the positive energy and action you have to get rid of the out of control corruption. What do you do when you have been ignored by your elected legislative representative for years? Hogans Creek cleanup Sept. 21 behind the Historical Society and Casket Company.

Palms Fish Camp next to a FIND project. A million bucks! How do you sign up for this stuff. 2013-384 - Will an amendment be attached for Hogans Creek for 24/7 Public Access? It's in LUZ right now. ACTIVE PENDING LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW! Ben, How about a letter from JCCI to council on that friendly amendment? Maybe Mr. Astleford if he reads Metrojax will do the same thing and just like that you have created a Public/Private/Partnership. An economic organic node of recreational and commercial infill that will spawn connectivity through a sustainable park system that will engage residents, visitors and tourists on tours of our Emerald Necklace ( Chan Kreiger and Associates,DVI) that leads to our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

[tufsu1]

The Public Trust has just been destroyed and crushed in this community.

John, how do you propose the trust be restored?

[carpnter]

^^Can you find something else to say? Did you know that the Southern Baptist Convention is based in downtown Nashville as well as Lifeway Christian stores, that doesnt seem to be holding their city back. It is much bigger than simply faulting the presence of a church for the lack of a vibrant downtown.

Not to mention that three of the biggest tourism events in the downtown are sponsored by first baptist and wouldnt come here without them.

Its not first baptist that scares people away, fsu.  Its people like Garden Guy having the vapors every thirteen minutes about those cannibal baptists that ate his entire family and enslaved their dog.

I think that any of the downtown churches would welcome more people living downtown.  They may not care about bars and night clubs being opened, but people living downtown are potential church members and people they could reach out to.

[CityLife]

^I don't buy that argument. Folks harp on the people in "positions of power" over the smallest things, whether or not it's actually their fault. In fact, this contributes to a lot of good people never pursuing such positions because they don't want the headache, which thereby often leaves them to people who just don't care. Our real problems are consistently identifying and supporting good leadership, and our identity problems articulated by Astleford.

This is also true.  So what in your view needs to happen to change the dynamic?

Oh, where to begin. In terms of politics, I think there are some systemic issues that may not result in us keeping the best leaders. I've heard compelling arguments that term limits may limit our potential, since we cycle through elected officials too quickly to identify the truly good ones and see that their projects are carried through. Additionally, Bill Gulliford says that since the actual elected leaders come and go every few years, the "institutional knowledge" is held by advisers and lobbyists who may have their own agendas.

I also think we may have some elected positions that really should be appointed, so we don't just have various independent offices lobbying for their own ends. Having off-cycle elections may reduce turnout, and having party affiliations known in elections may encourage people to just vote party line. In the end, it's really the voters' prerogative to identify and elect good people.

Beyond politics, I think there are some cultural issues; Astleford may have identified some. "Siloing" is probably a good term for what sometimes happens between the various local entities. It definitely feels like we're not all shooting at the same target. On this front, though, I think it's a bigger issue that we haven't had consistently strong leadership articulating a consistent vision for Jacksonville, and that holds us back.

Good post. I also think that a major issue is mayoral appointments. For instance, Mayor Brown demoted Bill Killingsworth from Planning Director, who had worked for years in the COJ Planning Department. He had a ton of institutional knowledge and was by all accounts very good. He just so happens to now head a major department at the Florida Department of Econonomic Opportunity (old DCA). That's ridiculous.  The person Brown replaced him with, Calvin Burney is to put it politely, challenged. That is just one example, but I believe there are several other poor department head level appointments by Brown.

The citizenry doesn't really see it, but Department heads are the backbone of a local government. They can make a Mayor look very good and government run much more smoothly. Sure, Mayoral Appointments are council approved, but does anyone really think council would shoot down appointments early in a mayor's term?

[Stephen]

If they knew the person was challenged and/or incompetent and the councilperson had any guts they would. Thats the problem here....no one wants to be bold. Don't rock the boat...our gravy train may derail..

[Shine]

Not too many out there that do these things because of ideals, because of values – to really do what is needed to make things better for everyone.  There are some.  If you count apathy as evil, the balance of power does not leave much room for optimism.

[Noone]

The Public Trust has just been destroyed and crushed in this community.

John, how do you propose the trust be restored?

Start with some openness.

[tufsu1]

how open should things be?  I mean, aren't there hundreds of meetings you attend each year?

[Noone]

C'MON MAN, What's your favorite Scandel?
You go to meetings too!
There are dozens and dozens of examples.
Shipyards III Scott Wilson I'm sitting right next to him and this is Pre Aundra Wallace and Pre RFI or RFP on Shipyards and the question was asked if ANYONE wanted to use the existing floating dock at Shipyards for PUBLIC or COMMERCIAL use can they and DIA Board member and OED former JEDC guy Paul Crawford said NO! NO! NO! NO! Absolutely NO!
So here we have today's TU headlines on the Southbank Riverwalk. I would have loved to have attended.

Did Redman who is now chair of Waterways send out a notice to any of the Waterway members about this exciting announcement? Did any of the Waterway partners know about this? Is there a Public floating dock component to this project? Seriously is there a floating dock with this project? I couldn't tell you. But HEY! We have a Waterways meeting in 5 days and lets all be in total shock together as everyone is asked did you know about this Regional announcement.

Did Mr. Astleford know about it? Maybe he was there. Let's all remember that the RAM dock is only open when RAM is open.  2013-384 it's in LUZ has an amendment been attached to allow for 24/7 access to Hogans Creek.

What are we trying to Transform again.

Please add your own.

[fieldafm]

2013-384 it's in LUZ has an amendment been attached to allow for 24/7 access to Hogans Creek.

x384 is the $1 lease for the Armory Building to the Sons of Confederacy.  There is nothing in the bill regarding Hogans Creek access.  Where are you seeing that?

[Noone]

^Just went to the coj website and the legislation is now in Finance and TEU. So what was the vote in LUZ? it doesn't give you that information. Mike do you support an amendment for 24/7 Public Access to Hogans Creek? Does Ben and JCCI? Does Mr. Astleford and VISIT JACKSONVILLE? Is this another one of those protective organizations? There is nothing now in the bill about Hogans Creek Access but there should be and isn't that what the PUBLIC HEARING is supposed to be all about? After the Public hearing the applicant was supportive of a friendly amendment. The applicant supports an amendment.

Now contrast that with the RAM dock only opened when RAM is open. Not good.

Now contrast that with the existing floating dock at Shipyards and during the Downtown Experience Committee of the DIA and sitting next to Scott Wilson Dist.4 and asked before the 30 day RFI, RFP on Shipyards if an amendment would be attached to allow for Public or commercial access to this 40 plus acre property. This is the ONLY Acess from the Waterway. OED- Paul Crawford and DIA Board member Tony Allegretti responded with a euphoric NO! NO! NO! Absolutely NO! remember Shipyards I? Remember Shipyards II? Now Shipyards III.

Who gets and deserves the state of Florida FBI RICO award for our St. Johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone.

Open the Silo. Mr. Alstleford is doing that with identifying the 30 plus organizations. Congratulations Mr. Astleford.

[tufsu1]

Back to Visit Jax....yesterday I picked up some copies of their new visitor's guide (not the Where? or Travel Host versions) and it is very good.