The Sad State of Friendship Fountain

[Charles Hunter]

How will a Trade War affect these economic projections?

[Kerry]

If the nation did have a recession that shut down reurbanization in cities across the country, could you tell it in Jax?  Answer, No.  And that is the problem.

[Kiva]

The difference between 2 year and 10 year bond yields is dropping (currently about 0.3). If that turns negative it has correctly predicted the last 4 recessions. The negative yield curve usually occurs roughly 12 - 18 months before the recession starts, so we may have about 2 good years left.

[Steve]

If the nation did have a recession that shut down reurbanization in cities across the country, could you tell it in Jax?  Answer, No.  And that is the problem.

Were you here in 2006-2008? You could not be more wrong about that. I can literally name 20 projects downtown that got shelved/killed during that time.

You make it sound like downtown is going through a Zombie Apocalypse. While I'd like there to be more, it's not like nothing is happening:

- Barnett is under construction right now
- Laura Trio Garage is about to break ground (I know, not exciting)
- Laura Trio is coming up
- Hotel Indigo is very likely to happen (just received final approval)
- Vestcor is doing three housing projects (1 just completed, 1 under construction, 1 in approval state)
- Brooklyn along Riverside Avenue was dirt for 12 years until recently
- Cowford Chophouse recently opened and restored a building that was literally just walls about to fall over
- The waterfront in front of the old courthouse was literally falling in, and it's being repaired (not sexy and expensive, but necessary and being completed)

To name a few.

Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but I think I'm done replying to your, "we're all going to hell" comments. Do I agree with everything in Jax? No. Do I wish we were MUCH further along? Yes. Is NOTHING happening? That's not true at all.

[jagsonville]

If the nation did have a recession that shut down reurbanization in cities across the country, could you tell it in Jax?  Answer, No.  And that is the problem.

Were you here in 2006-2008? You could not be more wrong about that. I can literally name 20 projects downtown that got shelved/killed during that time.

You make it sound like downtown is going through a Zombie Apocalypse. While I'd like there to be more, it's not like nothing is happening:

- Barnett is under construction right now
- Laura Trio Garage is about to break ground (I know, not exciting)
- Laura Trio is coming up
- Hotel Indigo is very likely to happen (just received final approval)
- Vestcor is doing three housing projects (1 just completed, 1 under construction, 1 in approval state)
- Brooklyn along Riverside Avenue was dirt for 12 years until recently
- Cowford Chophouse recently opened and restored a building that was literally just walls about to fall over
- The waterfront in front of the old courthouse was literally falling in, and it's being repaired (not sexy and expensive, but necessary and being completed)

To name a few.

Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but I think I'm done replying to your, "we're all going to hell" comments. Do I agree with everything in Jax? No. Do I wish we were MUCH further along? Yes. Is NOTHING happening? That's not true at all.

+1

[Kerry]

If the nation did have a recession that shut down reurbanization in cities across the country, could you tell it in Jax?  Answer, No.  And that is the problem.

Were you here in 2006-2008? You could not be more wrong about that. I can literally name 20 projects downtown that got shelved/killed during that time.

You make it sound like downtown is going through a Zombie Apocalypse. While I'd like there to be more, it's not like nothing is happening:

- Barnett is under construction right now
- Laura Trio Garage is about to break ground (I know, not exciting)
- Laura Trio is coming up
- Hotel Indigo is very likely to happen (just received final approval)
- Vestcor is doing three housing projects (1 just completed, 1 under construction, 1 in approval state)
- Brooklyn along Riverside Avenue was dirt for 12 years until recently
- Cowford Chophouse recently opened and restored a building that was literally just walls about to fall over
- The waterfront in front of the old courthouse was literally falling in, and it's being repaired (not sexy and expensive, but necessary and being completed)

To name a few.

Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but I think I'm done replying to your, "we're all going to hell" comments. Do I agree with everything in Jax? No. Do I wish we were MUCH further along? Yes. Is NOTHING happening? That's not true at all.

Do you ever look at what is happening in other cities around the country?  2018 Jax isn't in competition with 2008 Jax.  It is in competition with peer cities around the country here in 2018.

[Steve]

If the nation did have a recession that shut down reurbanization in cities across the country, could you tell it in Jax?  Answer, No.  And that is the problem.

Were you here in 2006-2008? You could not be more wrong about that. I can literally name 20 projects downtown that got shelved/killed during that time.

You make it sound like downtown is going through a Zombie Apocalypse. While I'd like there to be more, it's not like nothing is happening:

- Barnett is under construction right now
- Laura Trio Garage is about to break ground (I know, not exciting)
- Laura Trio is coming up
- Hotel Indigo is very likely to happen (just received final approval)
- Vestcor is doing three housing projects (1 just completed, 1 under construction, 1 in approval state)
- Brooklyn along Riverside Avenue was dirt for 12 years until recently
- Cowford Chophouse recently opened and restored a building that was literally just walls about to fall over
- The waterfront in front of the old courthouse was literally falling in, and it's being repaired (not sexy and expensive, but necessary and being completed)

To name a few.

Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but I think I'm done replying to your, "we're all going to hell" comments. Do I agree with everything in Jax? No. Do I wish we were MUCH further along? Yes. Is NOTHING happening? That's not true at all.

Do you ever look at what is happening in other cities around the country?  2018 Jax isn't in competition with 2008 Jax.  It is in competition with peer cities around the country here in 2018.

Ummm..yes. I'm aware that 2008 and 2018 aren't the same in terms of competition.

Not only do I pay attention to other cities, I travel to many of them. In the last 2.5 years, I've accumulated 276,000 Miles with Delta. To be clear - this is not miles earned through Credit Card Spend. These are true, "Butt In Seat" miles. So yes I do think I get around.

I'm just not in the mood to complain about every single thing. Do I think some things need to be voiced? Absolutely - see my comments in the Residence Inn thread. I actually think we're aligned there (the design is not great).

But, to say that NOTHING is going on here? That's where I lose my mind (plus between Thursday and Friday I spent literally 17 hours in the air - not cool).

Think about it this way: When your statements come across like illogical complaining (i.e. there's NOTHING going on here), people take you less seriously. Further, not every battle is going to be won. This is why I feel it's important to pick and choose. The Marriott thing? That's important in my eyes to pick and choose.

[SocialAlchemist]

So we've heard a lot about what the government needs to do but is there little that we as individuals can do for the fountain or the other parks and attractions that are in need of assistance? Of course I don't have a spare $1 Million to throw into anything but there must be something.

[KenFSU]

Lori Boyer's started to openly discuss plans for her first two nodes with the media, so I think it's safe to share some details:

Friendship Fountain:

- Fairy-tale themed.
- Fully restore Friendship Fountain to it's 2013 glory.
- Add an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the fountain.
- Add misters and a laser projection system to the fountain so that that videos, animations, movies, etc. can be projected directly onto the fountain for visitors to watch.
- Turn the pumphouse in a platform for viewing the river and fountain, and add interactive educational features that guests can interact with.
- Add a playground themed after Peter Pan with a miniature splash park within it.

Times-Union Center:

- Musically themed.
- Add a series of 4-6 gardens to the grounds, representing various cultural advancements in Jacksonville.
- Outdoor amphitheater facing the CSX building.
- Movies/concerts/sporting events projected onto the side of the CSX building every night.
- Addition of food-service, possibly ground-level and an added rooftop level.
- Potential other addition the the Times-Union center, that I haven't seen specifically mentioned yet, but the use would fit nicely with the bigger theme of the nodes.

[edjax]

Sure hope the city finds a way to keep her involved once her council run is over.  I am thinking Curry could add her to his administration. Perhaps the Urban Core Czar. 

[acme54321]

Lori Boyer has done great things, but fairy wonderland sounds a little ridiculous.  They can't even maintain they fountain as is, what makes anyone think they will maintain the rest of this stuff??

[jagsonville]

Lori Boyer has done great things, but fairy wonderland sounds a little ridiculous.  They can't even maintain they fountain as is, what makes anyone think they will maintain the rest of this stuff??

I'm ok with the theme, I love the idea of projecting movies etc on the CSX building the most. Hopefully they will set aside money for maintainence.

[jaxnyc79]

Lori Boyer has done great things, but fairy wonderland sounds a little ridiculous.  They can't even maintain they fountain as is, what makes anyone think they will maintain the rest of this stuff??

I'm ok with the theme, I love the idea of projecting movies etc on the CSX building the most. Hopefully they will set aside money for maintainence.

Lori has the right idea.  Create alluring spectacles at street-level for pedestrian engagement.  Make the most of downtown's spaces.  Give the non-homeless a reason to linger downtown. 

[CG7]

I tried really hard for 2 years to work something out with the city (Parks Dept) to let me put a time warp themed amusement area (Dinosaurs to spaceship rides) around the MOSH and fountain, but because I wanted to charge for the rides, I couldn't work it out. That is why they went with a free playground and splash pad.
Definitely a big improvement from what's there now.