Jacksonville's Ten Major Missed Opportunities

[Metro Jacksonville]

Jacksonville's Ten Major Missed Opportunities



Parts of Jacksonville would look completely different if the opposite decisions were made on these ten missed opportunities.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-oct-jacksonvilles-ten-major-missed-opportunities

[deathstar]

Something that really bugs me are the last two. I mean, really, Jacksonville? The number of kids who leave every fall for Florida State University & University of Florida, who work for Publix end up transferring to stores literally within walking distance of their universities. Club Pub, as it's known, the Publix next to FSU, stays open until Midnight. One can only imagine if Publix or Fresh Market would be literally right next door to a UNF or FSL, how many college kids would not only be working there, but using it on a daily basis for it's Deli and to pick up a few things. Multiply that by thousands a day? Cha-CHING.

Also, the Metropolitan Park System quite literally just blew my mind. At first, I wasn't sure if that was water or what, until I started reading. The first thought that comes to mind is the possible walking/bike trail that could've existed there. Instead, we have the S-Line Trail, which just isn't safe for 1 person to travel through on Bike or Foot. Biking for one, you take your chances with all the broken glass scattered throughout the entire trail. Baldwin is just so damn far, to have to load your bike up just to go biking takes the fun out of it.

[finehoe]

There was a discussion on an earlier thread that called into question the apocryphal Disney-locating-in-Jacksonville story.

My Mother, God rest her soul, was the receptionist for Ed Ball up until 1964.  That story had been going around fro a long time, she always said that she never ever heard of Mr Disney paying a visit.

[Dapperdan]

I too question the Disney story. Wasn't he trying to covertly buy land ? Why would he openly ask Ed Ball  about land? He set up dummy holdings to buy up land in Central Florida as he knew that once his name was attached, the land prices would double and triple in price.

[thelakelander]

The information I could find centered around buying St. Joe land and financing with Ball's Jax-based bank. I took that as North Florida and not necessarily City of Jax. Disney eventually ended up dealing with Orlando-based Sun Bank.

[tufsu1]

great article Ennis!

[BD51]

Definitely a great article, but frustrating to read. Wanted to share a recent article regarding UCF's plan to expand significantly in downtown Orlando.

http://today.ucf.edu/game-changer-ucf-pursue-expansion-downtown-orlando/

[thelakelander]

When we launched Metro Jacksonville, I used to get frustrated. Now I don't.  When you think about it, every place has a list of missed opportunities and opportunities that they've taken advantage of, over the course of their existence. Nevertheless, knowing what we know now about how the country has developed over the last century, one can only imagine the ultimate impact on the city's development pattern if a few decisions went in the opposite direction.

[mtraininjax]

When you think about it, every place has a list of missed opportunities and opportunities that they've taken advantage of, over the course of their existence.

Just think, if the Earth would have allowed Jacksonville to be located where Virginia is located, we could have become jamestown? Or if the Spaniards would have had a better compass, we could have had the rich history that St. Augustine enjoys. Yeah, they are are unreal, but so is looking in the past. We're fortunate for all that we have, what we have become and the fact we are not Detroit. Look at how fast they changed? Motor city is now a bankrupt city.

Be thankful as we get closer to Thanksgiving for what you have, and build on what you have!

[Tacachale]

It's really disappointing seeing that "Disney in Jax" story in an article. I've discussed this story various times in the forums, and there's no evidence for it.

The closest there is is a *rumor*, reported years after the fact, that Disney had approached Ed Ball about land in the Panhandle. There's not even much of a rumor about Disney and Jacksonville outside of this site.

Shenanigans!

[Tacachale]

#8's already pretty weak. The Navy wanted the property back after they'd already abandoned us and let us invest $100 million in the site. Handing it over without recovering our investment (and without any assurance they wouldn't just abandon us again) would have been another epic boondoggle.

[I-10east]

Lets look back and wallow in our sorrows, instead of looking forward to make Jax a better place. I personally think that the first two wouldn't have ever happened (Jacksonville replacing Hollywood, and Disney World being here). The 70's 80's downtown follies (tearing down buildings etc) is not unique to Jax. 

[thelakelander]

^Maybe, maybe not. But it can't be judged on being weak or strong, totally based on the reader's opinion on if they like or don't like the individual opportunity mentioned.

In the Navy/Cecil situation, one could very well argue that recouping the $100 million infrastructure investment would have come back by having an additional 12k people employed in the area, spending their cash locally and the resulting spin-off businesses....all estimated at the time to be $1.2 billion in annual economic impact. 

So $100 million in subsidies isn't crazy in today's world. Just look at what Nevada is giving Tesla. Over $1 billion in incentives for their new Nevada battery plant that will employ 6,500. In any event, regardless of if one wanted the Navy to return or not, it's hard to argue that the Westside would not look vastly different today if the opposite decision had been made in 2006. At the end of the day, that's what the article is about.

As for the Disney story in the article, no need to be disappointed.  Jacksonville was not mentioned as the specific destination. Only this side of the state. Growing up in Central Florida, I'll say that Disney's decision to build in Osceola/Orange County has had an economic impact on every MSA down there from the Bay Area to Daytona. Who knows what type of impact it would have had on North or South Florida?

Anyway, the rumors aren't just on MJ. A quick Google search shows various stories and opinions on the matter are present in a variety of sources and are all over the place. In reality, the debate will always continue because the individuals involved died decades ago.

[thelakelander]

Lets look back and wallow in our sorrows, instead of looking forward to make Jax a better place. I personally think that the first two wouldn't have ever happened (Jacksonville replacing Hollywood, and Disney World being here). The 70's 80's downtown follies (tearing down buildings etc) is not unique to Jax. 

Why wallow? Instead learn a little about your local history and move on with your day!

Nevertheless, don't worry. We'll have a feel good Jax version for you as well! Perhaps, 10 Opportunities That Worked In Our Favor?

[BD51]

Nevertheless, don't worry. We'll have a feel good Jax version for you as well! Perhaps, 10 Opportunities That Worked In Our Favor?

Excellent. I was also going to suggest a future article on opportunities that Jax has taken advantage of and how those have helped create a more active and vibrant downtown.