Peter Rummell eyes $400-million vision for a healthy town along St. Johns River

[UNFurbanist]

Unfortunately, I kinda doubt that Lenny is going to put money towards almost any of these projects anyways. He's "fiscally conservative" remember? His constituents in the burbs don't want their money being spent downtown. All that money will go towards the port or something else we think we need but really don't. Hope I'm wrong but thats the way I see things shaking out. At very least "Healthy Town" will probably happen and with enough federal grants and such I'm sure the emerald necklace will at least be much nicer than it is now in a few years.

[Tacachale]

Well, there's definitely going to have to be a lot of tightening to see the budget get back in order. There's not going to be a lot of money to spread around - not that there's any right now, either. That's why low hanging fruit like Healthy Town, that won't need nearly so much assistance as, say, Toney Sleiman's proposal of $12 million for the Landing, are so important.

[MusicMan]

So few people actually live downtown, the downtown voting block has no power. I have read and re-read "Lenny Curry's Vision...." featured on this website and it lacks any specifics about creating the "vibrant downtown" he says he sees when he thinks of Jacksonville.  One thing we will get is more cops, though. That won't really do anything for the urban core. 

The large population centers near downtown, San Marco, Riverside, and Springfield, don't go downtown on a regular enough basis to make it vibrant. (Why would they? Very little shopping, no movie theater, no grocery store except WD, .........)
They go to San Marco Square, Five Points, Publix in Riverside, Shoppes of Avondale. I'm under the impression that the folks who live in Springfield go to those same smaller shopping/dining districts as well.

Downtown Jax is like the ultimate dysfunctional family, all the parts are there but no communication or connection between them.

[UNFurbanist]

Well forget everything we talked about. Now that the trio is foreclosed on I guess healthy town is the only "real" thing we've got.

[tufsu1]

Well forget everything we talked about. Now that the trio is foreclosed on I guess healthy town is the only "real" thing we've got.

The Trio buildings have not been foreclosed on....the Barnett is a separate project

[Tacachale]

Well forget everything we talked about. Now that the trio is foreclosed on I guess healthy town is the only "real" thing we've got.

The Trio buildings have not been foreclosed on....the Barnett is a separate project

A separate project by the same guys and tied to all the others.

[tufsu1]

Well forget everything we talked about. Now that the trio is foreclosed on I guess healthy town is the only "real" thing we've got.

The Trio buildings have not been foreclosed on....the Barnett is a separate project

A separate project by the same guys and tied to all the others.

yes and no....the financing of the two projects have been somewhat separate as have the development plans

[jcjohnpaint]

So few people actually live downtown, the downtown voting block has no power. I have read and re-read "Lenny Curry's Vision...." featured on this website and it lacks any specifics about creating the "vibrant downtown" he says he sees when he thinks of Jacksonville.  One thing we will get is more cops, though. That won't really do anything for the urban core. 

The large population centers near downtown, San Marco, Riverside, and Springfield, don't go downtown on a regular enough basis to make it vibrant. (Why would they? Very little shopping, no movie theater, no grocery store except WD, .........)
They go to San Marco Square, Five Points, Publix in Riverside, Shoppes of Avondale. I'm under the impression that the folks who live in Springfield go to those same smaller shopping/dining districts as well.

Downtown Jax is like the ultimate dysfunctional family, all the parts are there but no communication or connection between them.

Very true.  My wife and I only go downtown to get to Springfield.  We got sick of going down there to eat and everything is closed on hours they should be open.  We did really enjoy the Candy Apple.  Gave me some hope, but it takes more than 1. 

[thelakelander]

Well forget everything we talked about. Now that the trio is foreclosed on I guess healthy town is the only "real" thing we've got.

The Trio buildings have not been foreclosed on....the Barnett is a separate project

A separate project by the same guys and tied to all the others.

yes and no....the financing of the two projects have been somewhat separate as have the development plans

I thought the proposed garage was supposed to serve both?

[tufsu1]

^ that is correct

[tufsu1]

Very true.  My wife and I only go downtown to get to Springfield.  We got sick of going down there to eat and everything is closed on hours they should be open.  We did really enjoy the Candy Apple.  Gave me some hope, but it takes more than 1. 

It isn't just one place.  Let me suggest you try Olio (open on weekend nights), Azucena, Super Food & Brew, and of course Casa Dora and LaCena (both have been open at night for years)....plus the restaurants in the hotels and at the Landing (Fionn MacCools is very good).

[Wacca Pilatka]

I didn't know Olio was open on weekend nights!

[downtownbrown]

neither did I.  Great news if true.