What 1910 Knew About Rebuilding Downtown That We Don't

[Metro Jacksonville]

What 1910 Knew About Rebuilding Downtown That We Don't



For 50 years now, various bodies have attempted to redevelop downtown. Billions of dollars have been spent. Anyone can see the result. And yet our City has completely rebuilt its downtown before---starting from complete destruction and creating a bustling metropolis in only ten years. (a fifth of the time its taken our various Downtown Redevelopment Agencies.) Find out how they did it after the jump.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2016-jul-what-1910-knew-about-rebuilding-downtown-that-we-dont-

[ChriswUfGator]

The city makes all of that impossible. Most of those awnings had dual purposes, containing the business' name or other signage, and providing pedestrian comfort. If you're Wells Fargo, you can get a 40' high lighted sign, no problem. Small business, well that's just tough luck. Putting so much as a sandwich board out on or over the sidewalk is a hefty fine. The downtown sign ordinance is excessively restrictive and its unequal enforcement is stilted in favor of large corporate tenants. Basically none of what you've photographed is legal in that area now.

[mtraininjax]

No one really uses signs anymore anyhow. Ask a Millennial, they use their phone, companies and businesses have to get with the times, get online, get social or get out of business. More people use Google Maps and Mapquest to find where they are going than looking for a sign.

Nice pictures, but times change, so does how people find businesses.

[FlaBoy]

No one really uses signs anymore anyhow. Ask a Millennial, they use their phone, companies and businesses have to get with the times, get online, get social or get out of business. More people use Google Maps and Mapquest to find where they are going than looking for a sign.

Nice pictures, but times change, so does how people find businesses.

I use my phone when I have a destination but when I am just walking around a district, signs are what help get me in the door.

[mbwright]

I think it was much easier to rebuild downtown, because there was not much else around.  You would not have started a new city in some place like Deerwood, when that was nothing but trees. 

Unfortunately, for many reasons, downtown, and other areas that were popular, decline, and hopefully when not too far gone, come back.  The comeback process is certainly influenced by the great competition of other developments and redevelopments elsewhere.
I find it interesting that the signage and such displayed is now illegal.  It does not happen over night, but hopefully with forward momentum.

Regarding signage, I guess I am getting old.  While I do use my phone and map apps, I still like to be able to identify the place I am going to.  I am not going to drive or walk and wait for my phone to tell me I am there.  Try doing that with your eyes closed.  Visible address numbers and business names that are visible from a distance are essential.