Bitter Editorial About All The Potential: Rob Middleton

[gedo3]

New motto (thank you, Mr. Dante):  "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!"

[CCMjax]

I attended the Historical Council of Realtors luncheon at the Laura Street Trio today.  Lovely space and it was interesting to hear the plans and intentions from the developer, Steve Akins. No doubt the plans have merit and no way should these buildings be lost like most of our historical buildings downtown.  Not sure that the community gets that the city has to have the political will and resources to preserve and restore whats left (very little) of our historical skyline.  I heard that the mayor has put a moratorium on ANY spending while the pension issues are resolved, so Laura Street buildings sit empty and continue their downward slide.  Truly a one horse town apparently.  So much potential to create a walkable, attractive community in whats left of our urban landscape.  We keep talking about the success of Brooklyn but i see empty fields with rows of commercial buildings obstructing the river access and views and some flashy new apartments.  The history? the older homes?  all plowed under.  Same with Lavilla. We are good at demolition and "laying the groundwork" for exciting plans but restoring, preserving and building on the resources we already have?  theres the rub. Revitalization should not be annihilation.

I don't know if I necessarily disagree with the moratorium on extra public spending until the pension issue is figured out.  It is scary how much it appears to be holding the city back.  With that said I absolutely believe the Trio and Barnett should be exceptions.  Particularly the Trio, it is the one project downtown that definitely has to happen soon.  It is very much like the pension issue itself, I don't think downtown can really progress much without it fixed and restored.  Everyone is in line and on board for that project except the city with the minimal contribution they are being asked for in incentives.

[Houseboat Mike]

I'm so sick of shit like this.  1) Jax isn't so bad.  There's lots of awesome things happening here. True, but there are many ways it can be improved. 2) The author acts like its just so easy to build more skyway, renovate buildings that cost hundreds of millions of dollars, etc.I really didn't pickup that he was implying it was easy, I picked up that they are half assed attempts that never get finished.  As to the latter point: the reasons for failure are many, and writing some semi-clever and smug as hell editorial doesn't solve any of them. Again true, but this is a discussion forum, and what better place to discuss issues like this?

Why don't you take these visitors on our amazing riverwalk, which has been recently developed and is amazing?As long as you keep them far away from McCoy and Hogan's creek, sure. Why not take them to 5 Points, which has done a total 180 in the past 25 years, or King Street, which has come SO FAR? Totally agree with you. Or take them to our absolutely gorgeous and amazing beaches and the awesome thing happening out there.Because the beaches are not downtown, not the core, which is where he was discussing.  Waaaah, One SPark failed-- anyone who actually thought that was somehow going to rescue/revitalize/substantially change our city clearly wasn't paying attention. Sure it was a complete and utter failure financially, and the concept was not sustainable, but having all of the vendors and a almost carnival like atmosphere downtown was...refreshing

[Knstt]

i hosted an out of town group this week from the likes of Boston, Philly, NYC and S. Florida.  I heard nothing but genuine positive comments on the livability and beauty of our fair city.
You couldn't pay me enough money to move to a lily white, corporate town like Charlotte.

As already stated, everybody is excited in the beginning.   

[SunKing]

i hosted an out of town group this week from the likes of Boston, Philly, NYC and S. Florida.  I heard nothing but genuine positive comments on the livability and beauty of our fair city.
You couldn't pay me enough money to move to a lily white, corporate town like Charlotte.

As already stated, everybody is excited in the beginning.   

Actually these people have been coming down here for years.

[Tacachale]

I'm so sick of shit like this.  1) Jax isn't so bad.  There's lots of awesome things happening here. 2) The author acts like its just so easy to build more skyway, renovate buildings that cost hundreds of millions of dollars, etc.  As to the latter point: the reasons for failure are many, and writing some semi-clever and smug as hell editorial doesn't solve any of them.

Why don't you take these visitors on our amazing riverwalk, which has been recently developed and is amazing? Why not take them to 5 Points, which has done a total 180 in the past 25 years, or King Street, which has come SO FAR? Or take them to our absolutely gorgeous and amazing beaches and the awesome thing happening out there.  Waaaah, One SPark failed-- anyone who actually thought that was somehow going to rescue/revitalize/substantially change our city clearly wasn't paying attention. 

Rachel, I agree with you totally.

Mark it well, kids, proof that anything can happen.

[Tacachale]

Mark it well, kids, proof that anything can happen.

As long as it is a change from what has been happening since the day your dad left office.  Everything that is good with this city has happened because of groups like this one, and usually only after fighting the city tooth and nail while getting it done.

This city needs a political water change.

I agree with both Rachel and Stephen on the same day. Signs and wonders!

[SunKing]

the problem is not lack simply a lack of leadership.  it is more the effects of consolidation.  too many issues for too many people to decide on.  its controlled chaos.

[johnnyliar]

This is weird. I agree with MMR 100%!

[vicupstate]

the problem is not lack simply a lack of leadership.  it is more the effects of consolidation.  too many issues for too many people to decide on.  its controlled chaos.

Nope. Not in the least. It's leadership pure and simple. Nashville has been consolidated longer than JAX and is absolutely booming, with DT leading the way.  Indy is another example, Louisville another, Charlotte for all intents and purposes is as well. Norfolk too. That is just off the top of my head and not many cities are consolidated to begin with.  This is one totally bogus crutch that needs to go once and for all.

There was a lot going on DT during both the Godbold and Delaney administrations, albeit some of it misguided perhaps, but a lot was happening. JAX was consolidated then too.   

[JaxJersey-licious]

We do need to finish things. We do need to stop being so half assed and narrow visioned.

And its pissing off a lot of people that we can't seem to get the right people in place to do that.

I agree with those points, and maybe I mis-read the column as it was early and I was still getting going.  It is frustrating that we can't get things done, but people also have to realize that most of us are outsiders in our opinions when you consider Jacksonville at-large.  While we realize a working, and far reaching Skyway would be killer and that downtown revitalization would help us all, most Jaxsons don't feel that way.  I think a lot of solutions start with convincing our friends/family/colleagues who live out in Mandarin (barf) and Nocatee (double barf) that these are important issues.

The frustration of backward mindset and half-assed fulfillment of DT projects resonates with a lot of us MJ readers but there is one glimmer of hope that this can all change: the succes so-far of new residential and retail projects close to (but not quite in) downtown. All is not lost if these projects (particularly retail) can create a real spark in not only developing the core but getting some of these long planned projects off the ground and not falling victim to time and indifference. 

[UNFurbanist]

We do need to finish things. We do need to stop being so half assed and narrow visioned.

And its pissing off a lot of people that we can't seem to get the right people in place to do that.

I agree with those points, and maybe I mis-read the column as it was early and I was still getting going.  It is frustrating that we can't get things done, but people also have to realize that most of us are outsiders in our opinions when you consider Jacksonville at-large.  While we realize a working, and far reaching Skyway would be killer and that downtown revitalization would help us all, most Jaxsons don't feel that way.  I think a lot of solutions start with convincing our friends/family/colleagues who live out in Mandarin (barf) and Nocatee (double barf) that these are important issues.

The frustration of backward mindset and half-assed fulfillment of DT projects resonates with a lot of us MJ readers but there is one glimmer of hope that this can all change: the succes so-far of new residential and retail projects close to (but not quite in) downtown. All is not lost if these projects (particularly retail) can create a real spark in not only developing the core but getting some of these long planned projects off the ground and not falling victim to time and indifference.

+1 If there is a market and money to be made then it will happen regardless of poor political vision.

[Know Growth]

Bold New Potential Of The South

[brucef58]

The editorial was well written but there a few facts that need to be mentioned.  JTA is very seriously considering expanding the ASE east on Bay Street to the Stadium, east from just south of King Street Station to "The District" and also south to San Marco/Kings Road/Phillips Highway, to the southwest from the Operations Center down Riverside Avenue.  This is a long time coming but JTA's new regime has decided to make transit a priority. 

The Laura Street Trio is being held up by a parking dispute.  The Barnett Building where the offices will be is basically two blocks from the ASE Hemming Plaza Station and many employees can park and ride.  There are four garages within two blocks which are not 100% occupied providing space for apartment dwellers and employees at the Barnett Tower and there should be space for 131 surface valet spaces for the planned boutique hotel.  This is developers and financiers' fault for not being reasonable about parking requirements.

Regarding the $8 million for the developer.  The project will cost $90 million; the just market value and tax value should be the same per the property improvements at $76.5 million.  If this amount $65 million will be available for use to fund REV Bonds.  The taxes to be paid toward the REV Bonds would be $743,723 which at todays interest rates and with required principal payments would allow the REV Bonds to be issued for $13,424,611.  This is much more in public funds available than the $8 million requested and it does not impact the city's general fund.

[BridgeTroll]

I for one am ecstatic that JTA is going to make transit a priority...