Upswing in downtown Jacksonville: Which mayoral candidate will keep it going?

[thelakelander]

Just two weeks ago, the Miami Herald could not have been more glowing:
"Downtown Jax has changed dramatically over the past three years as spots to eat, shop and party sprout in the heart of northeast Florida's sprawling metropolis," the article said. "Like a wallflower turned hottie, the city core has gone from drab to dynamite."

In fact, there has been progress. EverBank moved more than 1,000 employees downtown. Restaurants and bars have opened.

But there's a much bigger slate of projects that have been announced, such as the Laura Street Trio, Cowford Chophouse and Healthy Town on the Southbank. Others are still in the early talking phase, particularly the Shipyards and The Jacksonville Landing.

Until those are actually built and operating, they come with as many question marks as possibilities.

And it's still only one-fourth of the way to the 10,000 residences that Mayor John Peyton promised more than a decade ago.

So whoever wins this year's mayoral election — Mayor Alvin Brown, a Democrat, or challengers Bill Bishop, Lenny Curry, both Republicans, or the unaffiliated Omega Allen — will be expected to continue that momentum and get some of those projects off the drawing board and onto the ground.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2015-03-07/story/upswing-downtown-jacksonville-which-mayoral-candidate-will-keep-it-going

[urbanlibertarian]

I'm leaning toward Bishop until I do some digging on Allen.  Poll numbers and chances of winning won't affect my vote.

[I-10east]

My biggest hypothetical fear is that the underdog Bill Bishop don't really have a chance in a two horse race; Bishop voters will take votes from Brown, thus paving the way for Lenny Curry to be our new mayor.

[vicupstate]

My biggest hypothetical fear is that the underdog Bill Bishop don't really have a chance in a two horse race; Bishop voters will take votes from Brown, thus paving the way for Lenny Curry to be our new mayor.

we agree.

I think frankly that most of the support that Bishop is getting is encouragement for Bishop 2019

There is a runoff if no one gets 50% plus one, so how can that happen?

[coredumped]

Always vote for who you want to win, not for who you want to see lose, or 'the lesser of the evils.' America would be a lot better if people did it that way.

Just my 2 cents.

[tufsu1]

I'm leaning toward Bishop until I do some digging on Allen.  Poll numbers and chances of winning won't affect my vote.

you may want to check out her stance on the HRO and gender preference.

as to comments on Bishop taking votes away from Brown or Curry, that is clearly the case....but if he doesn't make the runoff, those voters will return. 

For example, I know many moderate people who are supporting Bishop now.... but will vote for Brown over Curry in the runoff.

[urbanlibertarian]

Always vote for who you want to win, not for who you want to see lose, or 'the lesser of the evils.' America would be a lot better if people did it that way.

Just my 2 cents.

Sometimes the lesser of two evils and sometimes the evil of two lessers.  ;-)

[Jax native]

My biggest hypothetical fear is that the underdog Bill Bishop don't really have a chance in a two horse race; Bishop voters will take votes from Brown, thus paving the way for Lenny Curry to be our new mayor.

People continuing saying this and it will become a reality if this idea keeps perpetuating.  If everyone who has any doubts would just vote Bill Bishop, he'd be in the runoff. 

[Jax native]

I'm leaning toward Bishop until I do some digging on Allen.  Poll numbers and chances of winning won't affect my vote.

Go back and look for her conversation w/ Melissa Ross on first Coast connect in the last 2-3 weeks.  Listen to her answers and let us know what you think.  A complete word salad of ideas that made no sense.  I'm unsure she even knows what she stands for. 

[Cheshire Cat]

Bishop has a clear path to victory in this election cycle with the number of undecideds out there.  Tell you what, even the most hard core politico's I know who are not attached to a particular candidate will not call this race.  This is one where it "ain't over till it's over".    I keep saying this and I mean it.  The most important thing a voter in Jacksonville can do at this juncture is to vote for the person they deem the most experienced and capable.  That is what any election should be about.  No need for the individual voter to play party politics or figure percentages.  The mayors race along with the council races are "unitary" for a reason.  Until the voters of Jacksonville embrace that concept we will continue to make choices that don't serve the entire community.  When we truly understand the power of independent thinking followed by independent voting we as a people will be onto something big and positive for Jacksonville.

[Cheshire Cat]

As to keeping the momentum going downtown, I think that Brown, Bishop or Curry will continue to support the exciting things happening in the core.  The question will actually more likely be which developers will receive money and support for their ideas and efforts in the core.  That may differ from candidate to candidate.  For instance, I think Khan can expect support for his projects regardless of who is mayor but someone like Tony Sleiman may not enjoy the support he currently has in Brown.  Same thing for Rummell. He will have Curry's ear but not that of Brown.  etc.