aquarium downtown

[edjax]

^^ Have to admit I think that same question alot.  Actually some good ideas that could help. My guess most would feel they think they can do as much without running for office and the limitations of government. Not sure if that is legitimate or a cop out??   I guess if nothing else it shows the job of being responsible for the city in which you live as an elected official is a tough job and not too attractive. 

[urbanlibertarian]

"But it is a democracy, and voting in an informed manner after public debate is just as important as actually holding the offices."

I'm a reliable voter and try to stay informed but I also realize that my one vote counts for very little.  The people who have the time, money and commitment to having an influence on public policy are 10,000 times more effective than someone who just votes in every election.

[CG7]

I will always be for doing something exciting for residents, and tourist on the Shipyard site. I would like to see something that can be used 24 hours 7 days a week, but also have components that are admission based that can make it a unique attraction. I would like to see something like a botanical/sculpture garden, with the gardens being art and the sculptures having a garden component. I think if the different areas are tied together with aquarium and maritime attractions, along with having fountains of differing height and scope all over the property, we can create something that no one has ever done before. Then again it is always fun to dream, finding ways to get anything accomplished is the hard part. Keep dreaming Jax.

[peestandingup]

Aquariums, Sea World & the like are indeed gimmicks. And like others have already noted, have to pull from a MUCH larger base than just locals (which Jax doesnt have). Not to mention, its a shaky industry what with a bunch of slack jawed gawkers paying to gaze at marine life (which should probably be left alone in the wild anyway) is probably on the down swing as far as industries go. Take a look at what the documentary Blackfish is doing to business in Sea World & you'll see what I mean. I know an aquarium isn't exactly the same as Sea World, but its in the same ballpark.

Point is, I wouldn't do it. Jax has a unique opportunity to form its own identity. And that doesn't mean copying the rest of Florida with A. Things that are gimmicky & past their prime. And B. Things that it couldn't do better anyway & will undoubtedly half-ass.

[thelakelander]

^^^Where is the Mayor on all of this? He comes out for Onespark, then goes back in his hole never to be seen again with regard to downtown initiatives. He's quick to spend 43 million on video boards and pools. What has his administration done to  do just that, make it easier and cheaper to start or maintain a small business downtown?

2015 will be an interesting election. So many broken promises from 2011!

Something like this?

Jacksonville looking to fund Downtown retail development

The Downtown Investment Authority is looking at way to bridge the financial gap between dark and vibrant storefronts.

Aundra Wallace, CEO of the authority, told the board Wednesday evening he has been looking at ways to incentivize more storefront buildout in the urban core. Ideally, Wallace said, he'd like to determine an amount from its $4.1 million budget that the DIA would allocate to retail incentives and seek City Council approval for the aggregate amount.

That way, Wallace said, each individual project wouldn't require City Council approval.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/11/21/downtown-jacksonville-authority-will.html

They also found $9 million to go to DT development but council ended up taking most of it. So Brown has (or at least what he's created...the DIA) has put some money where their mouths are at.  Change is just taking a lot longer than most would have ever imagined but we still overlook the importance of the little things that keep the market from working naturally.

[urbanlibertarian]

"Change is just taking a lot longer than most would have ever imagined but we still overlook the importance of the little things that keep the market from working naturally."

Little things like DDRC, parking meters and signage regulation.

[Tacachale]

I said this in another thread, but during the planning for the Better Jacksonville Plan serious consideration was given to an aquarium for the zoo. But those things are very expensive to do right and need to be consistently updated. Ultimately it was decided to focus on things we could really do up. The result is we've gotten a zoo that's top notch, where you can see the enhancement in every new addition.

I'd love to have an aquarium here, especially downtown, but I wouldn't want to commit to it unless we could really knock it out of the park in one way or another. That doesn't mean making it the biggest or flashiest or doing it just to do it; in fact these things are way better when they stand out. We shouldn't settle for second or third rate just so we can say we're doing something - there are plenty of other projects where we wouldn't be just be copying a plan from 15 years ago.

[thelakelander]

I said this in another thread, but during the planning for the Better Jacksonville Plan serious consideration was given to an aquarium for the zoo. But those things are very expensive to do right and need to be consistently updated. Ultimately it was decided to focus on things we could really do up. The result is we've gotten a zoo that's top notch, where you can see the enhancement in every new addition.

I'd love to have an aquarium here, especially downtown, but I wouldn't want to commit to it unless we could really knock it out of the park in one way or another. That doesn't mean making it the biggest or flashiest or doing it just to do it; in fact these things are way better when they stand out. We shouldn't settle for second or third rate just so we can say we're doing something - there are plenty of other projects where we wouldn't be just be copying a plan from 15 years ago.

There's a lesson in this. It's focus on improving what we already have.  Historically, downtown and the urban core has had an identity. We've let it go and destroyed it looking to create life with gimmicks and one trick ponies instead. If we want to do something different, try cleaning up McCoys and Hogans Creek and restoring them to what they were in the 1930s.

[HangingMoth]

^^^About Hogans Creek, how likely would the master plan come to fruition in the next couple of years, with of course the funding from Groundworks USA. That alone would definitely help spur activity. It seems like a lot of work, however, for a city concerned about its appeal and wanting to become a 'destination city' having a derelict park in the middle of your urban core seems like it would be a no brainer to make that a priority. 

[ProjectMaximus]

Would like to see this!

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=19167.0

[Noone]

I will always be for doing something exciting for residents, and tourist on the Shipyard site.

Then again it is always fun to dream, finding ways to get anything accomplished is the hard part. Keep dreaming Jax.

CG7, Residents and tourists? We were together at Vision 2025 and have you asked about the floating dock that is there right now at Shipyards III? One day out from the Super Duper Secret FIND meeting to make up for the Super Duper Backroom FIND meeting or meetings. I spoke with Scott Wilson and he hasn't been to one. Don Redman is my District councilman and has ignored my requests and he is also the Chair of Waterways. How is this process supposed to work? it's just a list.

This is it. Full meeting of the Jacksonville city council will be hours later and 2014-22 is being introduced. Everyone works and schedules can preclude people from attending but on 1/15/14 is the full Board meeting of the DIA at 5pm and maybe you can make that meeting. Have you kayaked Downtown recently?

Shipyards III - The Public Access can be legislatively created NOW!

A new Authority
Embrace It
Or
It will Embrace Us

Just  heard that the Main St. Bridge will be under construction for over a year. Connectivity from the Waterway more important now than before.

I am Downtown and why you aren't.

[Overstreet]

Yeah there are much closer aquariums and who said it had to be world class? The one in Tampa is a dump IMO.

The Tampa Aquarium has a mangrove exhibit more informative than most of the others. It focuses on what is in the local area and gives the public an excellent view of life systems in the mangroves and the nurseries of the ocean.  Monteray was another that had an excellent view of a klep forest, local to that area.  Atlanta was kiddy town aimed at kids and the flashy stuff. It did have a small rivers exhibit but not much emphasis on the local enviroments. Dolphins and sting ray touch tanks  are nice but they are classic tourist attraction and don't apply everywhere.

[mtraininjax]

They also found $9 million to go to DT development but council ended up taking most of it. So Brown has (or at least what he's created...the DIA) has put some money where their mouths are at.  Change is just taking a lot longer than most would have ever imagined but we still overlook the importance of the little things that keep the market from working naturally.

At the rate he is going, the Jaguars will be in the Super Bowl before Downtown ever gets any real traction!

[tufsu1]

The Tampa Aquarium has a mangrove exhibit more informative than most of the others. It focuses on what is in the local area and gives the public an excellent view of life systems in the mangroves and the nurseries of the ocean.

you know what's interesting....the Florida Aquarium (in Tampa) opened back in the early-to-mid-1990s....and yet the area stayed virtually empty without much tourist traffic until the Marriott hotel, Channelside, and the streetcar opened in 2001.

this should be cautionary note for Jax. Aquarium boosters.

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

I don't really understand everybody's excitment for an aquirum downtown. When was the last time Marineland just south of St Augustine was over flowing with people?   It'll be terrible difficult to compete with Sea World when it's just a two hour drive away.