Next Batch of Cities for Comparison Articles

[thelakelander]

It is.  Canal Walk is a pretty nice urban oasis that Indianapolis has put together.  It would be pretty cool if Jacksonville could bring Hogans Creek up to a similar level.

[Keith-N-Jax]

That's actually what came to my mind when I saw that pic. Hogans Creek has been neglected for some time now.

[reednavy]

Hopefully there are plenty of daytime shots of my Nashville to come.

[brainstormer]

Whoever had the "brilliant" idea of placing the JEA heap of crap between Main and Laura Streets really ruined any possibility of connecting Springfield to the Urban Core or turning the creek and park area into a destination area or something more beautiful like the Indianapolis pic.  With FCCJ right there, the possibilities of turning this into a walkable area for students and residents is kind of at zero.  It is so hard to create vibrant streets that connect to other vibrant streets when we fail to look beyond yesterday!  Jacksonville also needs to get rid of it's obsession with fences!  Never do you see pictures of other cities where everything has a fence around it!  My word.

[fsujax]

Nice pictures Lake, thanks for the updates.

[thelakelander]

Hopefully there are plenty of daytime shots of my Nashville to come.

I got into town last night but I'll be in the area's streets all day long.  I'm getting ready to stop by the Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village for breakfast.

[thelakelander]

Nice pictures Lake, thanks for the updates.

No problem.  I'm thinking about riding the Music City Star for at least a stop or two but the schedule is pretty limited. 

[reednavy]

No problem.  I'm thinking about riding the Music City Star for at least a stop or two but the schedule is pretty limited. 

This is correct, it is mainly for rush hour times and large events. Such large events as the Titans games and 4th of July fireworks are huge, with the latter actually leaving people because it was so crowded. It is still in start up so they probably want to keep it limited. However, why they chose the 5th largest county in #s is beyond me, other than a private railway owning the tracks.

Oh you're in for a treat the the Pancake Pantry, even with the CMA crowds, it is so worth the wait. It'll be good to get downtown pics when the largest music event in the city is going on, shows what is possible here on our riverfront.

[thelakelander]

I'm about to have a late breakfast in downtown Huntsville, AL.  I was impressed with Nashville.  It definitely has a lot in common with Jax.  Here are a few images from yesterday.

skyline shot from the Shelby Street bridge.  Since 2003, this bridge is now for pedestrian use only.


Broadway - This image was taken from the front of the existing convention center.  The amount of hotels, bars and restaurants nearby makes the Prime Osborn look like a horrible facility.


Music City Star - The cheapest commuter rail system ever built.  $41 million for 32 miles. 


Courthouse Square - We could use a public space like this in the front of our new courthouse.


DT sidewalk - There were a ton of people in town for the CMA.  I enjoyed the large free samples of ice cream and soda being given out on the street.  They saved me a few bucks.

[brainstormer]

Aww...I love Nashville.  I've been there three times and every time had a blast!  It is a really cool city and has really overcome the "country" stereotype it once had.  Their symphony hall downtown is amazing!  And all of there new buildings include really neat landscaping and seem to fit in well with the surrounding area.  Even last fall the building boom was still alive and well.  The city has done a great job of clustering it's entertainment and restaurants into one walkable area.  Did you get to go over by Vanderbilt?  The Parthenon and surrounding parks and retail areas are again walkable and very nice.  I can't wait for your full article. 

[thelakelander]

I explored several Nashville hoods.  Here are a few images from the Vandy area:

[thelakelander]

I also spent sometime in DT Huntsville earlier today.  Its a pretty sleeply yet well maintained place.  Here are a few images:

Huntsville Hospital people mover


Huntsville Depot Railroad Museum


Huntsville (Von Braun Center) Convention Center with parking below the exhibition hall and an attached Embassy Suites hotel

Btw, despite being smaller than Lakeland, Huntsville's convention center is larger than the Prime Osborn.


A fight for bread crumbs

[thelakelander]

My second road trip starts tomorrow.  The cities on the list with focal point issues I'll be on the lookout for include:

Baltimore (DT, Inner Harbor connectivity, mass transit mix)
Harrisburg (property tax program to encourage urban infill instead of vacant lots)
Pittsburgh (adaptive reuse, light rail, BRT, self sustaining urban neighborhoods)
Youngstown (urban revitalization through retraction and focusing on the downtown core)
Akron (downtown)
Cleveland (transit oriented development along rail lines from burbs into town, BRT, urban infill)
Atlanta (urban infill in Buckhead, Midtown, Dowtown and a few urban neighborhoods)

Let me know if there is something or areas of these places, not mentioned that you believe are worth checking out.  Also, if anyone has dining suggestions (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Harrisburg), let me know. 

[tufsu1]

Harrisburg has a few good brew pubs....my parents like the Appalachian Brewing Company

www.abcbrew.com

[Traveller]

While not fine dining by any means, any trip to Pittsburgh has to include a visit to Primanti Brothers in the Strip District.

http://www.primantibros.com/