10 stories that shaped Jax in the 2010s

[thelakelander]

A look back at some of Jacksonville's biggest stories of the decade.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/10-stories-that-shaped-jax-in-the-2010s/

[I-10east]

I tried to tell people a long time ago that Jax is more liberal than many would like to believe. Jax is a purple city with a blue trend.

[Florida Power And Light]

Missed-
First Coast Outer Beltway
For simple starters, Florida Times Union No News regards Brannon Chaffee Corridor Trust For Public Lands/ Commission Mitigation Park,Delaney Administration role in " Stand Alone Brannon Chaffee leg,former USACOE Miller brief Delaney Admin tenure,and a DOT Director related to a central player, same last name,Brannon Chaffee Sector Plan / Investors, and subsequent Lake Asbury Sector Plan ( First Round) Citizens Oppossed to Any Beltway Route/ No Build

And I can't imagine I nominated Littlepage for Florida Wildlife Fedetation Conservation Communicator Award.

My personal files priceless.

[Tacachale]

I tried to tell people a long time ago that Jax is more liberal than many would like to believe. Jax is a purple city with a blue trend.

Well, large swaths of right-leaning voters increasingly self segregating in the bedroom suburbs has a lot to do with that. They aren't exactly going away, just removing themselves from the main county. I expect we'll be like Nashville over time: a blue central city surrounded by bright red suburbs. If you took just the Urban Core, it would be like that already.

[Ken_FSU]

Great list!

If there were room for a couple of more spots, I'd also include:

1) IKEA chooses Jacksonville. Less about furniture, obviously, and more about what it symbolized. After decades of seeing major retailers avoid Jacksonville - Macys was our white whale since the 80s - the Town Center and surrounding area has drawn hundreds of new retailers to Jacksonville. Top Golf. iFly. Nordstrom. With no sign of slowing.

2) Jacksonville Landing mass shooting. Crime and the Landing were mentioned elsewhere, but to me, this was kind of the singular event where it all converged, setting the stage for the forced takeover and demolition of the Landing.

3) Hurricane Irma. One of the most noteworthy events of the decade for the city. From the urgent warnings that we were all going to die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qM72mBILP4), to the gas and water shortages, to the year-long impacts to tourisms and destruction to our beaches and infrastructure that still isn't fully repaired. The storm also resulted in what's gotta be the photo of the decade from Jacksonville, Life in the River as taken by Mark Krancer:



4) In terms of downtown development, I think this is probably the most important story of the decade:

https://www.jacksonville.com/metro/news/2017-11-24/political-committee-spending-keeps-many-details-mayor-curry-s-trips-dark

It's not a stretch to suspect that decisions on everything from Lot J, to the Landing, to the Old Courthouse site, to the convention center, to the Hart Bridge ramps were heavily influenced by this two-day trip.

[Tacachale]

Great list!

If there were room for a couple of more spots, I'd also include:

1) IKEA chooses Jacksonville. Less about furniture, obviously, and more about what it symbolized. After decades of seeing major retailers avoid Jacksonville - Macys was our white whale since the 80s - the Town Center and surrounding area has drawn hundreds of new retailers to Jacksonville. Top Golf. iFly. Nordstrom. With no sign of slowing.

2) Jacksonville Landing mass shooting. Crime and the Landing were mentioned elsewhere, but to me, this was kind of the singular event where it all converged, setting the stage for the forced takeover and demolition of the Landing.

3) Hurricane Irma. One of the most noteworthy events of the decade for the city. From the urgent warnings that we were all going to die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qM72mBILP4), to the gas and water shortages, to the year-long impacts to tourisms and destruction to our beaches and infrastructure that still isn't fully repaired. The storm also resulted in what's gotta be the photo of the decade from Jacksonville, Life in the River as taken by Mark Krancer:



4) In terms of downtown development, I think this is probably the most important story of the decade:

https://www.jacksonville.com/metro/news/2017-11-24/political-committee-spending-keeps-many-details-mayor-curry-s-trips-dark

It's not a stretch to suspect that decisions on everything from Lot J, to the Landing, to the Old Courthouse site, to the convention center, to the Hart Bridge ramps were heavily influenced by this two-day trip.

Great additions. Irma especially.