Downtown parking lot operators, including Central Parking System, are engaging in the questionably legal act of issuing their own parking tickets to downtown visitors and residents. These parking citations are designed to look like an official city citation, but instead of directing the payment to the tax collector, as required by law, it illegally demands that payment be made to Central Parking System, located at 550 Water St. Suite 1343.

We are approaching the time of year when people will begin to break out their swimsuits, jet skis, and boats.  It will be summer again soon.  And if you ride the city bus here in Jacksonville, don't forget to take your umbrella with you every single day.   That is because the sun can be harsh.  Not only that, but you'll need your umbrella to protect you from the daily summer thunderstorms.  Don't expect to find shelter at a bus stop.  That's because less than 5 percent of the bus stops in Jacksonville have a shelter.

Over the last 15 years, nearly a billion dollars has been poured into our downtown sports complex, and city leaders have been very quick to point to this as part of downtown’s revitalization.  However, how much of an impact do these multimillion dollar venues really have on Jacksonville’s city core?  Today, MetroJacksonville.com takes a look at the different facets of downtown revitalization as it relates to the sports complex.

MetroJacksonville.com had the opportunity to interview Jacksonville's next potential Planning Director, Brad Thoburn. The results of that interview will be online soon enough, but first we would like to share an excellent interview conducted by Planetizen.com with New York City's Planning Director. This will help in understanding the true roles and responsibilities, as well as the importance, of the job.

Name
Amanda M. Burden

Last position and location
Director of Planning and Community Development, Center for Court Innovation, New York

Current position and location
Director, New York City Department of City Planning & Chair of the City Planning Commission

Brief Description of current position
As Director of the Department of City Planning, I am responsible for the city's physical and socioeconomic planning. I advise and assist the Mayor, in all matters relating to the development and improvement of the city, as well as in the preparation of strategic plans that have long-term implications for the city. In addition, I am the Chair of the City Planning Commission, a 13 member body, which holds public hearings and votes upon planning and land use applications throughout the city.

With close to 18 million residents today, Florida already is challenged with the consequences of rampant sprawl, rapidly vanishing natural areas, and overcrowded roads.  What will Florida look like in 2060, when its population is projected to reach almost 36 million?

For the past 8 months, MetroJacksonville.com has been advocating the complete revisitation of the ill fated Downtown Customer Liquidation program known as The Jacksonville Parking Commission.