Downtown Jacksonville: IBM Smarter Cities Presentation

[Metro Jacksonville]

Downtown Jacksonville: IBM Smarter Cities Presentation



Metro Jacksonville shares the IBM Smarter Cities downtown Jacksonville revitalization presentation recently provided to Mayor Alvin Brown's administration.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-aug-downtown-jacksonville-ibm-smarter-cities-presentation

[Noone]

Navy Warship Museum-2010-675 One amendment

Northbank Riverwalk Completion- Why was the Historic Promised 680' Downtown Public Pier omitted from a Public FIND grant application process? Scorecard- Investigate variances- OGC

Marketing-Visit Jacksonville or Don't Visit Jacksonville

Parking garages-2012-202

 So who wants to kayak and fish under the brand new no new fishing signs that was never before Waterways? Donations to 2009-442 being accepted.

I am Downtown.

[John P]

Will the final presentation get into specifics?

[thelakelander]

What type of specifics?

[avonjax]

The part we always miss. EXECUTE!

[thelakelander]

That's sort of the entire presentation.  It basically lays out a path of how to execute things at an administrative level, in a manner that strives towards a unified long term goal.  Nevertheless, one would still have to execute the recommendations stated, bringing us back full circle.

[acme54321]

I don't see how the Parador Parking Garage has much to do with the path to revitalization.  As the design stands the best thing that garage will do is nothing.

[vicupstate]

I don't see how the Parador Parking Garage has much to do with the path to revitalization.  As the design stands the best thing that garage will do is nothing.

That might be true if you accept the premise that the original design is a done deal.   What was the latest on that?  I missed it, if that was posted.

[Tacachale]

I was wondering about the Parador garage, too. It seems like they just listed every potential project downtown, whether on not it's actually good for downtown.

Not to be negative, but much of this presentation seems like more of what we've heard dozens of times before. In fact, swap out some names and this could be nearly any city's presentation.

[thelakelander]

Revitalizing DT isn't rocket science. We just make it more expensive and difficult than it has to be. I didn't expect to see much in depth detail, given the time constraints (three weeks). With that said, I think they just plugged stuff to show how an example strategy would work out.

[Captain Zissou]

I was wondering about the Parador garage, too. It seems like they just listed every potential project downtown, whether on not it's actually good for downtown.

Not to be negative, but much of this presentation seems like more of what we've heard dozens of times before. In fact, swap out some names and this could be nearly any city's presentation.

I don't think this project was about vision casting, but more about implementation of what is already on the table.  They didn't propose anything new, but they prioritised what we already have on our plate and presented ways to best approach it.  This is a framework that the Mayor's office can follow long into the future with any new projects that come along.  That being said, it is obvious that none of the IBM team was an urban planner or was well versed in urban design.  However, they still know a lot more about it than our entire city government.

[duvaldude08]

I think it is also benefical to get an outside opinon. These are things everyone has screamed at the city to do. Now having an outside who agrees, should help. With the Laura stree trio ready to do, this is an opportunity to get things going in the right direction.

[acme54321]

I don't see how the Parador Parking Garage has much to do with the path to revitalization.  As the design stands the best thing that garage will do is nothing.

That might be true if you accept the premise that the original design is a done deal.   What was the latest on that?  I missed it, if that was posted.

No word on what's going on with it since the thread here on MJ.

[gedo3]

"Instead of spending time continuing to create studies, it was suggested that we spend time executing."  HORRORS!  This would mean that a whole bunch of people would lose their "studies" hobby--and actually have to do some real work!  Is that even possible?  When I moved here in 1980, the then-active Downtown was one of my main reasons.  I liked it so much that after a period I realized I was spending so much time there I might as well live there--and did for several years.  Now?  Well...there IS hope.  But I'm not sure people who are newer to Jacksonville could even grasp the idea that Downtown could be a mecca for the whole city.  I sure hope it happens--and soon!

[tufsu1]

"Instead of spending time continuing to create studies, it was suggested that we spend time executing." 

sure...now that IBM has finished with their study and its "$400,000 worth of free work"!