Looking for a Downtown Bottom.

[CS Foltz]

What a crock of bull puckey! To expensive my left ham hock.............expensive because of all of the add on's from the GOB Network wanting their cut off of the top! ROW is already there and its been proven that rail and auto's can co-exsit on the same avenue of travel! JTA is run by amatuers just the COJ. JTA's Budget was not cut a drop (Thanks Finanace Committee & Council with no cajones) and bus's suck fumes I think!

[thelakelander]

I understand the point they are trying to make but sometimes they do a horrible job of explaining it.  Imo, JTA looks at these projects strictly from moving their existing riders from point A to B, the easiest way they know how.  In more progressive cities, there is another dimension that JTA and our city leaders do not understand.  From Portland and Houston to Charlotte, Salt Lake City and Phoenix, these cities see rail as a way to "city shape" or a viable "place-making tool."  

With that said, whether its LRT, Streetcar or commuter rail, it really isn't about attempting to serve a sprawling 900-mile service region.  No one is suggesting that JTA find a way to get light rail or any type of rail to a place like Argyle or Mandarin.  Instead, its more important to find that 10-15 mile spine that can connect a few of the destinations we do have and promote infill development between them.  Start with that, benefit from TOD, TAD and TND development in areas where the infrastructure already exists and expand from there.

Btw, I'm sure Ock will let everyone know, but streetcars are a form of LRT.    Also, Blaylock's Charlotte example makes no sense because Norfolk is getting LRT also.  Their population growth has been either negative or stagnant for over 50 years.

[mtraininjax]

They say rail brings sustainable economic development.

Then the JTA skyway can finally be justified???

[stjr]

As I have said before, the $ky-high-way has traumatized every corner of the City, including JTA, about rail oriented transit.  Until it fades away, I don't see how we are going to get, politically speaking, public officials to stick their necks out over light rail when the $ky-high-way will be thrown up in their faces by an unknowing and uncaring constituency.  Abandon the $ky-high-way, wipe the slate clean, and start anew.  That is what I think it will take.

[thelakelander]

All it takes is a visionary leader or two to force it through.  Places like Salt Lake City and Houston were anti rail too.  Once their leaders got a starter line up and running and success could be seen, the rest of the community jumped on board.  Skyway in place or not, its going to take the same kind of effort to get things going in Jacksonville.

[Gunnar]

Wouldn't a light rail connection going from Jax Intl. Airport to Downtown and then to the Beaches make sense ?

Note: Ideally, you would be able to connect to Amtrack and Greyhound Busses in DT, as well. One should not under estimate the positive effects of having a city that is both easy to get to and easy to get around in.

One good example of intermodal transportation (really well done):

http://www.fraport.com/en/our-expertise/frankfurt-airport-development/intermodality.html

[funwithteeth]

Has the downtown bottom been found yet? Asking for a friend 

[Know Growth]

Downtown Miami,Florida; circa July 2014  25 acres +/- , searching same.

We are the "empty" North,sport about four times the acreage,just counting (waterfront!) dirt.

[spuwho]

Leadership quality seemed to fade after the late 70's.  I found a planning document that had plans, budgets, strategy all laid out.  As Stephen advised me, when it came to execution of it in the 80's, it got dragged down in cliques, GOB's, me too's, peanut galleries and such until we are left with what we have today.

Walking back through history
To the mighty city
I put my feet on the streets of Babylon
The gold and glitter
Towering wonder
It's all within the walls of Babylon

Strength and security
Comfort and safety
What could be better than living in Babylon
But their strength was just an illusion
Now this city lies in broken ruins

Rocket ride through time and space
It's 2088
They're diggin' around in the dust of what we've
done
Now people study me
I'm a part of history
Oh, did we leave them another Babylon

Is there evidence of urban revival
Or did we leave a land of broken idols

"Bye Bye Babylon" by WhiteHeart (1988)
(with some adjustments)

[funwithteeth]

The original search for the bottom started back in 2009 with the Business Journal.

Thanks for the tip. I've alerted them to existence of Grindr.