Urban Construction Update - March 2014

[thelakelander]

Not the urban core but I was surprised to see UF Health Jacksonville's north campus this far along:

[Scrub Palmetto]

I'm warmer to the idea that there are more factors in being a peer city than just population. Looking at humans, you have age, race, gender, religion, interests, life experiences, culture, socioeconomic status -- many possible factors that can make people your peers or not. Cities are no less multifaceted. I find it hard to consider cities like Las Vegas and Cincinnati, for instance, peers of each other, given their glaring contrasts in just about everything except metro population.

[thelakelander]

Well the example of a Las Vegas and a Cincinnati is a pretty extreme example and there is always exceptions to every rule.

Nevertheless, many of the cities I mentioned have a lot more in common that just similar population size.  Some, like us, have heavy concentration of military.  Others, like us, have significant economic history with insurance companies, ports and railroads. A few others, like us, were once the major player in their states and now they aren't any more.  A couple others, have changed significantly over the years via significant growth.  There's also differences between every community on the list as well. 

Yet, at the end of the day, however we want to compare or label them, the majority are seen as secondary markets.  They all, also have to compete for economic development and growth with cities their size, larger and smaller.  In this sense, Jax is not unique. Our core should be responding well to national trends just like many of these cities and others throughout Florida. If we're not (which we aren't), then we need to look at ourselves and figure out solutions to issues that may be limiting our economic potential.

[IrvAdams]

I've lived here all my life and there is a major mindset change I can attest to: although there was a time when this city did not want to grow and closed its doors to the world, the issue now is that it wants to grow but doesn't know how to go about it.

We've gone from self-imposed isolation to playing a brand of catch up that requires some creative engineering on our part.

[Debbie Thompson]

You don't have to reinvent the wheel.  Look at other cities and see what they've done.  But make a plan and stick to it.  We tend to say "look what Salt Lake is doing!" for two years, and then veer off to "look what Cincinnati is doing!" followed two years later by "look what Charlotte is doing!"

What would be interesting to see is if people would stick to the comprehensive land use plans, and incorporate ideas into that.  And cease this constant urban sprawl.  9A, 9B, then 9C and 9D anyone?

Last night, I saw Jude Law on the Daily Show.  He mentioned the ferris wheel in London was erected for the millenium celebrations, and was to be torn down right after.  Londoners said they liked it, it was cool, and so now it's still there, and it's iconic.

[joshuataylor]

Half of the building housing the Veloce Pizza on Hendricks will be a new cocktail concept called Sidecar, helmed by the inimitable Kurt Rogers (of Orsay and Black Sheep fame). They've already gotten national write-up in Details Magazine, and we'll be hosting a photo series of the development of both projects in the very near future. Stay tuned!

http://www.details.com/blogs/daily-details/2014/01/the-11-most-promising-bars-slated-to-open-in-2014.html

[IrvAdams]

Great write up. Can't wait to check this place out. That area is becoming seriously hip.

[Tacachale]

This news pleases Tacachale. Pleases him verily.

[acme54321]

http://thebarnettjax.com/

[IrvAdams]

^^??

[edjax]

^^JBJ just posted a story about it.