Mayor Alvin Brown:Now Is the Time to Invest in Downtown

[Metro Jacksonville]

Mayor Alvin Brown:Now Is the Time to Invest in Downtown



City of Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown shares his thoughts with Metro Jacksonville on why now is the time to invest in downtown.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-aug-mayor-alvin-brownnow-is-the-time-to-invest-in-downtown

[Noone]

Still not seeing the opportunity for everyone on our Waterways Downtown. Just ask the Baltimore guys about that one. The contract expired. They get kicked out because they didn't meet the 350 seat RFP they had a 346 seat capacity. So they get sent packing and we have 2014-412 and the illegal unauthorized purchase of two water taxis by the Executive Branch (Mayor) circumventing the Legislative Branch (City Council) And at a Jacksonville Waterway Commission meeting and the next one is just 5 hours out Tera Meeks, Chief of Waterfront Management and Programming tells everyone that the 350 RFP seat capacity is now 120 and anything goes. This has to be positive.

Mayor Brown, At the 4/2/14 Noticed meeting on new docking Rules and Penalties it was announced that the new yet to be built floating dock on the Southbank that was going to be 900' short but thanks to 2014-190 it will be a completed Southbank Riverwalk to the Duval County Public School building will have one vendor with a 10 year no compete clause. This can't be positive. Will you truly open up opportunity on our 4.8 mile Waterfront zone and why not start with this new dock. When complete if a watercraft pulls up and drops off a passenger so that they can go eat at the Charthouse that watercraft for hire is immediately in violation and that watercraft can be impounded like a car. Please ask your COJ Waterways Coordinator Capt. Jim Suber if that is the rule. This doesn't say to the world Visit Jacksonville!

Right now the CRA/DIA is before the Jacksonville city council. Will you support legislation and amendments that will create a sustainable opportunity for everyone and not just picking winners and losers in our new 4.8 mile Waterfront zone that extends from the Fuller Warren Bridge to the Mathews Bridge on our St. Johns River an American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative?

Let's truly make Downtown a Destination and not a pass through.

[ronchamblin]

"We must maximize every opportunity for people – residents and visitors alike – to see our Downtown as a signature destination.  Because that’s what a great Downtown needs – people. 

We need people working Downtown.  We need people living Downtown.  We need people visiting Downtown – whether it’s for entertainment or sports, conventions or special events, dining or shopping, or simply enjoying our scenic river."


Workers in the core. 
Residents in the core. 
Visitors in the core. 

Absolutely the most important emphasis for achieving what is called a threshold toward revitalizing the core. 

Nothing happens until these populations increase. 

With their increase, everything happens.

Overall, I thought Brown's words to be quite encouraging ... balanced.  And I've had only one midnight beer. 

[vicupstate]

Questions/comments:
1) Is there a finalized plan for the Landing in place?
2) Aren't the street signs already unified? 
3) Two way streets sound good, wish he had done it sooner.
4) Don't tear down the courthouse until something else is firm to go in it's place.
5) I wish I could believe this isn't just electioneering

[strider]

It seems to me that based on the available evidence, the only way we are going to see the Mayor of Jacksonville truly set us down a path towards a truly vibrant Downtown and Urban Core is to vote in someone other than Alvin Brown next year.

[thelakelander]

Questions/comments:
1) Is there a finalized plan for the Landing in place?

I don't believe so. However, a study was done that suggested the original redevelopment concept be scaled down.

2) Aren't the street signs already unified?

This is for wayfaring signage. It's something that should have been done during Peyton's administration.

3) Two way streets sound good, wish he had done it sooner.

Something else that should have been done a decade ago. Better late than never.
 

4) Don't tear down the courthouse until something else is firm to go in it's place.

I agree. I still can't believe we've known over 10 years that courthouse would be sitting empty and still don't have a plan for it. IMO, figure out how to build a new convention center (something debated over the last decade) and if it's not feasible, RFP the property to the private sector, reinvest that cash in to downtown and move on.

5) I wish I could believe this isn't just electioneering

We'll find out soon enough.  All of this is a part of the Mayor's budget proposal. I'm waiting to hear council's take on this.

[tufsu1]

It seems to me that based on the available evidence, the only way we are going to see the Mayor of Jacksonville truly set us down a path towards a truly vibrant Downtown and Urban Core is to vote in someone other than Alvin Brown next year.

not that I am thrilled with the Mayor, but is there even a hint from Lenny Curry that he cares about downtown?

[strider]

It seems to me that based on the available evidence, the only way we are going to see the Mayor of Jacksonville truly set us down a path towards a truly vibrant Downtown and Urban Core is to vote in someone other than Alvin Brown next year.

not that I am thrilled with the Mayor, but is there even a hint from Lenny Curry that he cares about downtown?

Perhaps not, but is Lenny Curry the only other person running for Mayor?  Bishop made a reasonable showing at the HobNob, will/ can he do better than either Brown or Curry? Or are you and everyone else already writing off anyone but Brown and Curry?

My issue with Brown is one of trust and credibility. While there may be something in the idea of dealing with the devil you know, sometimes it is so bad that change for change sake is more than worth the risk. This seems like one of those times.

[JeffreyS]

What downtown project do you think Brown has gotten in the way of? 

[edjax]

I personally don't think Brown has been terrible for downtown.  At least he seems to understand that it is important and at has the word in his vocabulary.  However, with that being said, he brings so much other negatives with his lack of leadership which causes so many other issues. And that same lack of leadership will most likely make it difficult to work with the city council, which is needed, to do anything significant for downtown under his watch. I can hope it will be different but I just don't see it. Therefore, he probably needs to go.

[tufsu1]

It seems to me that based on the available evidence, the only way we are going to see the Mayor of Jacksonville truly set us down a path towards a truly vibrant Downtown and Urban Core is to vote in someone other than Alvin Brown next year.

not that I am thrilled with the Mayor, but is there even a hint from Lenny Curry that he cares about downtown?

Perhaps not, but is Lenny Curry the only other person running for Mayor?  Bishop made a reasonable showing at the HobNob, will/ can he do better than either Brown or Curry? Or are you and everyone else already writing off anyone but Brown and Curry?

hardly..and the campaign contributions I have made reflect it.

That said, you implied that everyone else would be better for downtown than Brown...I'm just asking what makes you think that Curry would be better.

[tufsu1]

As for Mayor Brown's plans for downtown, they will be discussed tomorrow (Friday) morning during budget hearings on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).  I believe the meeting is at City Hall and starts at 9am.  If you feel strongly about downtown and are available, I encourage you to attend and speak up.

[peestandingup]

What downtown project do you think Brown has gotten in the way of?

What projects has he actually spearheaded & gotten his weight behind??

And "now is the time", in 2014? Where ya been, Alvin??

[strider]

It seems to me that based on the available evidence, the only way we are going to see the Mayor of Jacksonville truly set us down a path towards a truly vibrant Downtown and Urban Core is to vote in someone other than Alvin Brown next year.

not that I am thrilled with the Mayor, but is there even a hint from Lenny Curry that he cares about downtown?

Perhaps not, but is Lenny Curry the only other person running for Mayor?  Bishop made a reasonable showing at the HobNob, will/ can he do better than either Brown or Curry? Or are you and everyone else already writing off anyone but Brown and Curry?

hardly..and the campaign contributions I have made reflect it.

That said, you implied that everyone else would be better for downtown than Brown...I'm just asking what makes you think that Curry would be better.

 ... to sort of repeat myself:

My issue with Brown is one of trust and credibility (with many things, not just downtown). While there may be something in the idea of dealing with the devil you know (because I do not know at this time if Curry or Bishop will indeed be better for both the DT and the urban core) , sometimes it is so bad that change for change sake is more than worth the risk. This seems like one of those times. (As you can tell, I really do not like Brown nor do I like those in his posse.)

As for Mayor Brown's plans for downtown, they will be discussed tomorrow (Friday) morning during budget hearings on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).  I believe the meeting is at City Hall and starts at 9am.  If you feel strongly about downtown and are available, I encourage you to attend and speak up.

Good to know.

[Noone]

As for Mayor Brown's plans for downtown, they will be discussed tomorrow (Friday) morning during budget hearings on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).  I believe the meeting is at City Hall and starts at 9am.  If you feel strongly about downtown and are available, I encourage you to attend and speak up.

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DIA Board meeting 8/20/14 1st floor city hall at 4pm. Always plenty of seats.

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