Images by Ennis Davis
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The Northbank is Still Alive
With an impressive mix of old and new pedestrian scale architecture and streetscapes, Jacksonville's original city center can still be a pretty lively urban atmosphere at times.
Published October 26, 2009 in Neighborhoods Digg
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civil42806
October 26, 2009, 07:27:52 AMAs long as its not after 5 pm
mtraininjax
October 26, 2009, 07:55:48 AMAgreed, and that is a problem we need the Mayor and City Leaders to continue to fight EVERY SINGLE DAY. We all know that the big companies that used to be located in these spaces have either downsized, or moved out to the suburbs (imagine if the Barnett Office Park was never built, all the jobs that would have stayed downtown).
There is a great article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution on the City of Atlanta and how its growth engine is slowing down, many companies moving just outside the Atlanta city limits, but retaining that Atlanta address for posterity sakes, http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/engine-for-growth-has-173667.html
As in Atlanta, Charlotte, any number of southern cities, the leaders need to get creative (a tough task based on the last 6 years with this administration). It can be done, the buildings are there, infrastructure is there, the land and development issues are still there for companies to move to the burbs, but the JEDC and DDA need to build a more creative downtown. I'd rather shop in an older building downtown that to travel to SJTC.
The question is, what small businesses would thrive downtown right now, that are not already there?
You bring in small businesses, the big ones will find a way to be there too. As well as more residential.
vicupstate
October 26, 2009, 08:47:52 AMGood post Mtrain. You are learning.
Your remark about small business is spot on. I would like to see MJ do a series on what types of retail find success in downtowns in different cities. Sort of a micro-focus of the current urban city-visit series.
mtraininjax
October 26, 2009, 08:55:22 AMThanks for the compliment, I don't see much job growth and we don't have to follow the lead of other cities, we need more creativity in our downtown, our leaders and our citizens.
I'd like to see a series that discusses where the new jobs are coming from for downtown and the outlying areas. We have to grow our way out of the recession.
Bewler
October 26, 2009, 09:12:00 AMNice butt shot on that first Landing picture.
nestliving
October 26, 2009, 09:24:46 AMI wish the city would just develop the Laura trio and Barnett bank building into residential and offer incentives for people living in the suburbs to move downtown.
Bewler
October 26, 2009, 09:34:44 AMI always thought that having a strong college presence downtown would help, particularly if we turned many of our vacant and condemned buildings into dorms. And no I don’t mean turn our town into Tallahassee or Gainesville, something more like how Rutgers is set up but on a smaller scale. Maybe now that FCSJ is trying to become a more significant college, they could try to make something happen with that. The northern most Skyway stop isn’t that far from their downtown campus. If students lived within walking distance from any one of the stations they could put it to good use. If nothing else, FCSJ could at least try to open up its campus to the rest of downtown or encourage coffee shops or café type places to be opened in or near the building.
fsu813
October 26, 2009, 09:36:53 AMreports....demise....exagerrated
buckethead
October 26, 2009, 10:03:00 AMTrollies would help greatly.
Steve
October 26, 2009, 11:08:51 AM^The city won't develop it (nor should they in my opinion). However, this is where the city should step in and offer economic incentives for the Laura Trio. The Barnett has been partially completed, and probably doesn't need incentives at this point (but I could be wrong). The key to both is really uniting the Barnett, Laura Trio, and the L-Shaped lot next to it. The L-Shaped lot was supposed to be parking for both, and that's what needs to happen.
As far as use, I really don't care per se. Obviously some uses would be better than others. A botique hotel in the Barnett would be great, because Hotels provide a near 24 hour captive audience.
stephendare
October 26, 2009, 11:11:21 AMreally?
that looks like a busy urban core to you?
ok..
heights unknown
October 26, 2009, 11:11:52 AMWonder how long mtrain had to wait to get shots where people were in the photos; not many people downtown even during the day. Jax sure looks good in pictures. I might be relocating back to my hometown soon; then I'll see all of you face to face one day.
Heights Unknown
JaxBorn1962
October 26, 2009, 11:46:22 AMHeights Unknown
David
October 26, 2009, 12:46:42 PMDowntown's streets aren't exactly bustlin' like NYC's are after 5 pm. But, there's at least 5 times as many places open after business hours than just 5 years ago. (bringing the total number to 5, hehe just kidding. sorta)
7 years ago, I used to ride my bike on those empty downtown streets during the early evening hours, back when London Bridge was one of the few places open after dark. So, if you think dt is quiet now, it’s nothing compared to what it was just a short while ago. It was truly an after hours ghost-town, almost all the time. The only thing you heard for blocks was music from LB's loudspeakers echoing off of all the closed-down store fronts. Bay street was empty, the landing was even quieter than it is today, because there were no bars/lounges, unless you count hooters.
In a way I miss the days when barely anyone came downtown, it felt like you had it all to yourself. Plus there were a few more of the older buildings standing and some pretty cool graphite, but it was still desolate. Progress hasn’t come at a break-neck speed like it was promised, but it’s happening.
jeh1980
October 26, 2009, 01:44:51 PMGreat photos! Something positive above Jacksonville for once!
Bewler
October 26, 2009, 03:17:48 PMRemember right before Burrito Gallery first opened and you could hear their speakers blasting similarly throughout the area? It was like, “What kind of phenomenon is this? TWO places!?! How can this be?”
BridgeTroll
October 26, 2009, 03:41:05 PMSitting outside on the corner of Adams and Ocean was the place to be...
north miami
October 26, 2009, 04:02:01 PMWonderful photos...and not one night scene.
I am in a business that from time to time brings customers from all over the country to "Jacksonville Marina Mile" well inland and handy to Down Town. www.jacksonvillemarinamile.com
It saddens me to see the emphasis shifted away from down town.The North Bank singled out.The negative observations and comments from customers,many from waterway oriented areas,are telling.
I realize this post reflects a 'negative' outlook.As a co founder of 'Marina Mile' I also hold zeal for the area- but I wonder if there ever will emerge a vibrant 'down town'.
Jason
October 26, 2009, 04:45:01 PMI like the name "Marina Mile" for that area. It has been quite the busy coner of town with boaters.
north miami
October 26, 2009, 10:31:20 PMMy comments today regarding the Northbank and Cecil development prospects must have been too detailed to induce comment.............
mtraininjax
October 27, 2009, 09:00:05 AMBewler has a GREAT IDEA, FCSJ or the old Fruit Juice college, could use the empty buildings as dorms. Why not? Get the state to purchase them, put people to work fixing them up, and grow the downtown presence. Fruit Juice would increase police downtown and we could have, at least more than half of downtown, from say Adams Street North bustling with students and people downtown after 5. I think its a great idea.
Does anyone have any idea what Dr. Steven Wallace, president of FCSJ has planned for downtown campus and dorms? We could put people back to work and really grow the school, a win win for downtown.
One of the best ideas I have seen for Jobs and Downtown in a while.
Seraphs
October 27, 2009, 04:48:56 PMExcellent photos! I enjoyed looking at them.
GENTRY
November 12, 2009, 08:48:41 AMI'm a professional photographer and will tell you all that photos can be misleading. There's no doubt in my mind that these images were captured on a beautiful Friday mid-morning to sometime after 1-2 p.m. Why Friday you ask? Because that's when there's a crafts and produce fair in Hemming Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also Friday at lunch time when people are out and about, going to eat or cash their checks. Okay sure the photos are misleading, however.
Wouldn't it be nice if every workday looked similar to the Friday in these images? It would be possible if we could get an injection of fresh thinking into the city council, along with a progressive thinking mayor and his or her staff. Only problem is that Jacksonville still has the old Cowford mentality and is afraid of change.
Dan B
November 12, 2009, 12:41:06 PMBut Gentry, in another thread, your calling for the demolition of one of the last remaining downtown grand hotels, which is EXACTLY how we got to where we are. Preserving ones history does not run counter to being progressive.
mtraininjax
November 12, 2009, 06:21:02 PMI go to the Landing now for Chicago Pizza. 80 TVs, college football, I'm hooked. If more chains or stores could draw enough people for events (downtown art walk is great), we would have more stores, and more people downtown every day.
We are in the Great Recession right now, but I am hopeful that once we come out, we will see a change in how people enjoy downtown. I am already re-discovering my old friend, the landing, thanks to Chicago Pizza.
JaxLanding
November 17, 2009, 10:52:30 PMWe are in the Great Recession right now, but I am hopeful that once we come out, we will see a change in how people enjoy downtown. I am already re-discovering my old friend, the landing, thanks to Chicago Pizza.
I agree that there are good times and bad times that you could be out and about taking photos of downtown. Sure - during a gorgeous Friday will reap better results, but I don't think that's the point at all. The point is that we are growing and changing for the better. We actually DO have days like this where people are walking around enjoying what downtown has to offer. We may not be changing as fast as some of us want, but the main point is that we are!
BridgeTroll
November 21, 2009, 11:15:08 AMCan you post some info about the Boat Parade and fireworks this weekend? I love this event and often get a room at the Hyatt for the best views
heights unknown
November 21, 2009, 06:16:53 PMHeights Unknown
I was born and raised in Jax "Jaxborn." Spent 70% of my 20 year naval career in Jax. I now live in the Tampa Bay area in Sarasota-Bradenton area. Yeah, I'm not living in my town, but it is MY TOWN, where my heart is and where I was born and bred; will probably move back soon.
Have a good day.
Heights Unknown
hillary supporter
November 22, 2009, 12:18:54 AMI dont see much happening significantly with substantial retail and even residential growth downtown, on the north shore. I think with the new presence of nightclubs and bars, along with activism of artists et al, could see a influx of artists looking for spaces, both musical and visual. and all others. New clubs like Sinclair and artists lofts like 226 n hogan tend to have me believe that. All other commerical development will continue along the 95 south corridor. It just has to be accepted as such. we had tonights musical festival and there has a nice, not huge , but artistic crowd out. accordingly i see small stores coming around 2nd hand after an artistic presence is firmly planted.
by far, the absolute jackpot would be to locate a significant higher education facility downtown. I feel, in retrospect, the loss of unf to the current southside, off the 95 corridor, was the worst thing that could or has happened for downtown jacksonville. whomever doesnt know, Unf was founded downtown in the early 70s.