JEDC Downtown Development Brief- December 2008

[thelakelander]

^You are right in that the other places did see a higher number of their proposals become reality.  I also agree that this may have had something to do with our slow moving permitting and approval process.  If we can learn one thing from the real estate boom, its to open the door when opportunity knocks.

[tufsu1]

Boy, from reading a number of your posts it appears that you sure are defensive tufsu1; for your information, I was born in Jax and lived in Jax for over 20+ years before departing in 1995; I spent almost my entire naval career based in Jax at Cecil Field and NAS Jax respectfully.  I lived in Riverside, Westside, and Five Points as an adult, and in LaVilla as a kid.  Since that time, I have visited Jax quite often just to see how she is and how she's grown, and thanks to modern technology in which we don't have to actually be at a certain place in person have kept tabs on projects, plans, developments, etc. relative to the growth and prosperity of Jax and I still love Jax and this is my city. By the way, I have a very good personal reason for living where I now am and not in Jax and it's none of your business, however, if I could move right now I would probably be living in Jax; but I can't. This forum, outside of me physically taking trips from West Central Florida to my BELOVED Jax, is one way that I keep in touch and keep informed.  Jax is MY CITY and I LOVE JAX.  I don't have to live there to be in touch nor keep in touch or LOVE JAX.  So what's up TUFSU1?!  Anymore defensive type of questions?  Who are you?  What are you?  Who do you hope to be?

Thanks tufsu1 for your question.

Heights Unknown

I did not mean to sound like I was attacking you....I've just grown really tired of all the Jax bashing/negativity on this site.

Its really hard to know everything that is going on in a city from the outside...that said, we also seem to have a problem with folks who live here who think every other place is better....primarily from visiting once or twice or seeing pictures taken by somebody else.

Using the same logic, I bet most of the Clemson and Nebraska fans in town this week will think that Jacksonville is a pretty nice place!

[JaxByDefault]

Its really hard to know everything that is going on in a city from the outside...that said, we also seem to have a problem with folks who live here who think every other place is better....primarily from visiting once or twice or seeing pictures taken by somebody else.

Many of us have lived and worked in other cities. Thus, we know from experience what Jacksonville lacks and feel the lifestyle losses acutely.

For those of us who have experience with urban redevelopment, city government, and transitional neighborhoods in other places, Jacksonville is a continued exercise in frustration.

I may--as my name suggests--be in JAX by default (thanks, Spouse!), but I want to like Jax. I live in an urban core neighborhood; I've strated a business here, and I'm engaged on urban core development and transit issues. However, it is easy to see how far other cities have come in a short span of years and be justly skeptical of the efforts of city planners and leaders here.

That the city leaders alternatively villify long-term residents and recent transplants, and want to hear from neither, evidences a head-in-sand mentality about the quality of urban life in JAX and the more significant recent accomplishments of our peer cities.

[brainstormer]

Well put Default.  I am also here by default and I like Jacksonville, but see a lack of inspiration compared to the amount of potential.  Great cities are not built without the drive to go beyond being a "nice place."  I will admit I've spent a great many words bashing our mayor on this site as have many others.  But I think the amazing ideas that are put forth daily by far outweigh any negativity.  There are a number of brilliant people who post here with common sense ideas when it comes to transportation, development, housing, neighborhoods, etc.  Most of us do not post just to be negative.  We only want to create a more vibrant city that will continue to grow sustainably within its means.  The negativity is a by-product of the frustration many of us feel when our city leaders go against what we feel is a better choice, or what we feel does not improve the quality of life for Jacksonville residents.  I would like to feel proud of where I live.  But I've lived here a year and a half and can't exactly say I am proud.  Jacksonville hasn't convinced me this is where I belong.