Rummell: One Spark is not a 'turning point' for Downtown Jacksonville

[tufsu1]

for those who think that Rummell didn't / doesn't really help with One Spark, read this post from the One Spark facebook page

"We've been on the receiving end of some great coverage from the national media lately! To capitalize on this momentum, Elton Rivas and Peter Rummell have been meeting with some very notable media outlets in New York for the last two days. They've been met with an overwhelmingly positive response so far!"

from what I'm told, Rummell's comments were taken out of context

[thelakelander]

from what I'm told, Rummell's comments were taken out of context

In this particular thread, article and case, I was under the impression the comment was in reference to would One Spark help overcoming downtown's current problems with getting redevelopment and infill off the ground. If that's the case, the quote was very accurate and isn't a slight on One Spark. The same financial gap and risky market situation that has been a stumbling block for projects like East San Marco is still a challenge that must be overcome.

[ProjectMaximus]

Yeah, thats what confused me about this thread. I totally viewed Rummell's comments in that light, and it seemed that despite the "debate" in this thread, everybody was pretty much on the same side.

the incubator that was started is called KYN.

More accurately it is an accelerator. Ignite, e.g., would be an incubator.

http://www.kyn.is

[edjax]

Didn't really seem much like a debate in this thread but more like an agenda to me.

[Cheshire Cat]

From the One Spark site.  Here is Peter Rummell on "Fox" news.  How quickly he the man and his experiences are eclipsing what began as an exciting idea born of coffee shop discussion.  Pay attention people.  I am sure Disney thanks him for the free advertising though.  http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/3482628169001/fmr-walt-disney-imagineering-chair-on-ride-development-one-spark/#sp=show-clips

[tufsu1]

Diane...Elton was with Mr. Rummell on every stop they made in NYC....in most cases, they interviewed both

[simms3]

Here we go again...Diane you're clueless.  Lots of biz types watch Fox Business.  Thank you Rummell yet again for the free advertising for Jax/OneSpark.  This is no different from the single large shout out Jax got in Urban Land, ULI's official member magazine, for OneSpark.  I'm sure that publicity had to do with rummell's position as chair of the ULI foundation.

You're embarrassing yourself.

[Cheshire Cat]

Actually, here you go again Simms Tufsu!, same song, different day. Did you guys even watch the clip before remarking?  Likely not.  But even those in marketing 101 understand that you don't sell one product by making another one (Disney) and a guy who used to work there (Rummell) the focus of the conversation.  It's basic.

Why Jacksonville do we think that a guy whose forte is "theme parks" with a staff of imagineers is the go to guy for downtown development and promoting new and bright events like One Spark?  Or perhaps the question should be do we want a city or a theme park atmosphere for Jacksonville and it's core?

So the responses begin and the dialog and tone has sadly not changed.  Those who are clueless are those who fail to recognize that looking to old standards of promotion of downtown or creation of new events to create new excitement when driven by the same old power/money folk of the past are kidding themselves.  Those who think that ignorance is speaking to the truth of the politics of the past influencing our future in all venues are in fact embracing ignorance.

Look, this is not a new response for me when it comes to pointing out how this city and it's future is manipulate by the same folks who have created the challenges we face today in Jacksonville with everything from revitalization to improving our economy to the creation of exciting and viable new ideas like One Spark.  In the last barrage of verbal attacks and defense of the status quo, I began my comments in defense of how wonderful One Spark was and how successful I saw it.  I was not pleased that the event was being viewed and excused based entirely upon how it would impact downtown revitalization.  I said over and over again how wonderful and important the event is.  Which I why I will continue to point out the obvious when it comes to how Jacksonville is run and who is running it, in the face of the constant posturing of people who consider themselves forward moving and idea folks who are now becoming heart and soul followers of the old guard and enamored by their power, money or both.

Of course fresh new ideas always sound better when the conversation is framed by an old rich conservative white guy.  How does Jacksonville move forward when even those who are supposed to get the mechanism of "organic" growth don't get it at all?  Or I guess in the case of One Spark, organic growth is appearing on the most conservative/republican FOX network.   Yes, that screams exciting and edgy new ideas.  Or Time magazine and Forbes.  Who owns and controls them?  Right now we are not "rebranding" Jacksonville through the One Spark event but rather branding it with the same old face of the conservative rich white guy.  Seriously, did Rummell fund the event or co-opt it?  Who is at the forefront now?  The folks who met in the coffee shops? The new entrepreneurs?  No.  Two years into the event creation it is now being branded the same way everything new and exciting in Jacksonville is branded, by the same old power structure which includes who controls our local politics. Two years into the birth of a new and exciting idea, we have seen the attention shift from the youthful inspirations that drove it to the same methodology which will in the end stifle rather than empower all that is creative.

Let me try to explain it you (even some of the planners who believe they know it all), this city will not be able to move forward and fulfill it's potential downtown or elsewhere if we are depending upon the same old guard to move it forward whether it be an event, development or a more open political mindset if those who want change don't understand that they are not getting that change, because they themselves want to remain followers.

What is happening on this forum?  What has happened to the open minded individuals and free thinkers?  What has happened to those who understood that changing politics is essential to changing how this city is developed.  Look, we can talk all we want about growing downtown and bettering our future but the results anyone here desires will not and cannot come with the current political landscape.  One poster said it was ignorant to tie politics to the discussion of Rummells comments on One Spark, what is ignorant is ignoring that fact.  Rummell now has his hand on the pulse of new innovation for Jacksonville and it is his presence that is now branding it.  Rummell also has his hand in the office of Mayor Alvin Brown, whose support financially and politically got him into office.  Now if anyone thinks Alvin Brown is the guy to take us forward and solve our serious financial problems, I am sorry to hear it.  He doesn't have the leadership it takes or political capital to make the needed changes in Jacksonville and solve our very serious financial difficulties.

Rummell has used his money and influence to put himself in the drivers seat of Jacksonville and folks are just so angry that I am pointing that out.  The reality however remains that everything that happens with the finances of this city is the only thing that will make the dreams of a better Jacksonville manifest and that is driven by politics and in many ways the influence of young folks with creative ideas influencing the process, not being controlled by it. 

As far as embarrassing myself Simms, that is a silly thing to say in the face of the reality that you and others just do not want to understand the entirety of what it takes to move a city forward and how the local power structure that held it back is still in control.  Now that is embarrassing, ignorant and very discouraging.  In the end it's not about your opinion of me it's about Jacksonville going forward or staying stuck in the past by looking to the same old leadership model for a new direction. 

[Cheshire Cat]

meh.  does anyone really think that ONE SPARK is what will make or break Rummel's resume?

Im thinking the whole 'Disney Executive' is probably alot more weightier in establishing he cred. I could of course be wrong.

Dunno.  Just seems like a few more people have heard of Disney.

Exactly Stephen, but a conversation about Rummell and his Disney connections on the Fox news network does nothing to draw to Jacksonville the type of creative minded young folks that will drive Jacksonville forward.  I hardly think it could.  But that is not the entirety of what I am saying which folks are want to attack, dismiss or ignore because it challenges the "bubble mindset" that has infected so many in Jacksonville when it comes to our future potential and "real" change.  Those who understand business also understand that Disney is not the best business profile out there and is itself struggling.

This is not new to me and puts me in mind of the absolute verbal beating I took over three years ago because I dared to say that Alvin Brown was not the right guy to move our city forward, that he lacked the strength to do so along with the political power and that he was bought and supported by Peter Rummell, who is now piloting ship "One Spark"

You better than most know the conversations that have been had about our city from history to who controls it.  From potential to what stops potential becoming realized.  Right now we are coming out of an exciting event that is and was "One Spark".  I know most want me to applaud Peter Rummell for putting his money into the effort but I cannot do that because I know too well the fact that Rummells political influence/money that paved the way to put Alvin Brown in the  office of Mayor have hurt this city far more than it has helped us.  I cannot congratulate him because his influence has brought us more difficulties in city hall, our leadership and our weak financial situation than ever before.  Until we have real leadership in the office of Mayor and our financial ship is righted, we will never step out of the political and financial mire that holds us back and hinders progress.  We have a photo op mayor who has been running for re-election since he took office and whose big impact on Jacksonville has been the handing out of awards while the city is being run by the City Council.  The thing is that Rummell could have also given the money to One Spark, sat back and allowed it to evolve.  He did not do that and now has become the face of One Spark via his recent media blitz which was born of his persona and not that of One Spark.  It's the big picture that is Jacksonville that people refuse to see or even admit to which is old guard political power and influence in all things. 

[simms3]

Rummell's resume goes a lot further than Disney Imagineering (St. Joe, Rockefeller Center Mgmt, etc etc).

Also, Diane, I don't think you realize that Disney Imagineering is definitely entrenched in the "Creative" industry.  Lots of "techies" and creative types work there...almost exclusively, actually (considering that all of the professionals there come from some sort of engineering, marketing, or computer sciences background).

I also don't appreciate how you're really trying to play the politics card.  I understand that politics is your realm.  But Rummell/business/everything we're discussing is more than obviously not your realm.  Please understand that and quit taking this way off topic.  Come to my world, San Francisco, if you want to draw parallels and form educated conclusions.

[Cheshire Cat]

Simms....once again.... The commentary is not playing what you are calling the "political card".  It is about showing how all things that happen in Jacksonville are at the core either driven by or co-opted by the GOB individuals and political structure that has held us back for decades.  I don't care whether or not you appreciate that fact and if I am correct you are not living in Jacksonville so remain un-impacted by what goes on here beyond commentary on our development which is fine. Politically you are firmly out of the loop.  Clearly understanding that a cities development is driven by the politics in that city is not in your realm as well. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Hmmm.  My last two comments have not shown up on the forum though I did click the post link.  Is something quirky happening with the system?

[Cheshire Cat]

The two points I made in response to you last post Stephen were simply this and I will make this one shorter.  Hogan has nothing to do with this discussion, period.  Alvin Brown is the mayor and it is who put him there that is part of the equation.  That would be the creator and leader of the Civic Council, Peter Rummell.

As far as this comment :

What we need is a city that supports innovation and creative types from all directions, including the old money and the conservatives, not just a few hand picked, ethically pure disciples of the age of Reason.

Disciples are awesome, but cash helps too.  And making a partnership is always better for the creatives than a schizm.

Of course supporters of all stripes are important.  The difference is that Rummell did not simply donate to "One Spark" and let it remain in the hands of those who birthed the idea and instead has put himself in a position to "control" it, how it is organized, promoted and it's future.  This all translates to the same influences that birthed the Civic Council (born of Rummell) which is nothing but old guard power and ideas that have failed Jacksonville on many important fronts. 

[simms3]

The commentary is not playing what you are calling the "political card". 

That's how everyone is reading it, Diane.  Maybe you need to work on your explanation then.

It is about showing how all things that happen in Jacksonville are at the core either driven by or co-opted by the GOB individuals and political structure that has held us back for decades.

Everyone, do you consider Peter Rummell to be a part of the GOB that has held us back for decades?  Raise. Hands.  Now.

if I am correct you are not living in Jacksonville so remain un-impacted by what goes on here beyond commentary on our development which is fine.

I am, however, living in San Francisco.  By default, I am forced to live and breathe this stuff everyday.  Aside from my real estate network out here, everyone I know is either working for a start-up, works for Google/Apple/Twitter/Square/insert burgeoning tech/creative firm here, or works on the funding side, whether for a tech bank, VC, etc (my roommate is friends with several higher ups including Peter Thiel and Arthur Rock and is a member of the creative-person-focused Battery Club by nature of his relationship with one of the founders).  I know a lot of scientists working bio-tech, I know a design guy at Pixar, and someone I'm dating is heavily involved in both UCSF's clinical side and research side, and was awarded $8M in funding for a project recently.  So if you must know, my "outside of Jacksonville" life is in the center of the universe for this type of thing.  My perspective is not out of line or irrelevant. 

Clearly understanding that a cities development is driven by the politics in that city is not in your realm as well. 

I believe that understanding the basic relationship between development and local politics is more in my realm since I work in development (and real estate in general).    Though I'll hand it to you, understanding politics in general is not in my realm.  But I think that speaks to your mindset.  Who cares about politics?  That's not what this thread is about.  And you're reading between a ton of lines that don't exist, and I highly doubt you know Peter Rummell personally.

[CityLife]

I think I speak for all but one here, but I think having someone as highly accomplished as Peter Rummell, with his Disney, Arvida, Rockefeller, and St. Joe experience gives a lot more credibility to One Spark and Jacksonville to outsiders, than say a few 30 something's that aren't even that well known in their own town.

My grandfather was the first VP of hotels and restaurants at Disney and was the brainchild of their hotel development projects/plans in the early 70's. After leaving there, he could pretty much do what he wanted and was considered a rock star in his profession. By the same token, Peter Rummel has an impressive reputation from creating Celebration, chairing ULI, Disney Imagineering, etc. He's probably the closest thing Jacksonville has to a rockstar in the business world. Frankly, I can't believe we are having to defend a guy who is donating his time, money, and putting his reputation on the line to help Jacksonville and One Spark.