Who's Downtown Is Ahead? Jacksonville's or Tampa's?

[Metro Jacksonville]

Who's Downtown Is Ahead? Jacksonville's or Tampa's?



Florida's first major cities have more in common than one would imagine in the rise, fall and rebirth of their historic downtown cores. With that in mind, there may be tools and ideas that one community has successfully implemented that the other could benefit from.

Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-jan-whos-downtown-is-ahead-jacksonvilles-or-tampas

[Adam12]

Honestly I think they are pretty much tied. Tampa may be slightly ahead (current leadership being the single biggest reason). The Selmon Greenway opens in a few months and there are several other significant infrastructure projects that are approved and funded:

http://cltampa.com/politicalanimal/archives/2015/01/07/transforming-tampa-bay-tampas-finally-getting-its-cycling-act-together#.VL9lRmNVK1F

[Keith-N-Jax]

Tampa no doubt!

[Noone]

Tactical Urbanism! Enjoyed the comparison. Just asking and not picking on anyone but didn't Don Shea past Executive Director of the Civic Council and former DIA (Downtown Investment Authority) board member come from Tampa. Didn't Ron Barton former JEDC (Jacksonville Economic Development Commission) leave Jax and go to Tampa? tufsu1 didn't you come from Tampa. Who gets the next pick?  Would love to hear about the legislation that is being created that allows all these positive benefits. Anybody feel sorry for the Baltimore guys? 2014-412

Appears from the pics more watercraft options from the water in Tampa. We know that is just the opposite in Jacksonville.

What is the situation with Uber and Lyft in Tampa. 2014-665 was deferred in Rules yesterday. Active legislation.

[thelakelander]

Both Uber and Lyft serve Tampa:

http://www.tampabay.com/news/transportation/10-things-to-understand-about-lyft-and-uber/2202683

[johnnyliar]

Tampa, by far.

[tufsu1]

When I moved here nine years ago, downtown Jax. was slightly ahead and had all the momentum.  Then the recession hit. 

Tampa has come out in better shape and Jax. is severely hampered by still unresolved pension issues.  Couple that with a Mayor and City Council that are strongly focused on the urban core, Tampa has been able to make great strides in the past few years. 

At this point, Tampa's downtown is ahead and appears to have all the momentum.  That said, recent announcements for downtown Jax. show glimmers of hope and my understanding is that there are more announcements teed up in the coming months.

[TPC]

I take regular trips down to Tampa and they are ahead.

[avs]

Growing up in Tampa, I have to agree with most of the above statements: Tampa is ahead.  Much of the stuff highlighted in Tampa was there in the late 80's-90's, it isn't just developing or has been developed in the past 10 years.  Also, I know the comparison is between the two downtowns but I do have to say that I think what contributes to Tampa's downtown is the development of the surrounding areas that happened in the late 80's and into the 90's.  The redevelopment of Ybor (although I do miss the old Ybor) and the development of Channelside, SOHO, Hyde Park (late 80's), etc.  This contributes to a sense of a strong urban core, which I really would like to see Jax keep trying to move toward.  Tampa tightened up its urban growth boundary and took other steps to incentivize core development, love to see more policies like that in Jax...

[jcjohnpaint]

And I also believe USF has some kind of campus in DT Tampa. 

[finehoe]

Jax. is severely hampered by still unresolved pension issues. 

That's a pretty weak excuse.  There are a myriad of things Jacksonville could do that in no way, shape, or form has anything to do with the funding of pensions.

[coredumped]

Im surprised you didn't mention jacksonvilles bike share when comparing apples to apples:
http://jacksonville.hyatt.com/en/hotel/activities/hotel-activities/bike-hyatt.html
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=22116.0

So, score that as a tie I wish we had bike lanes though.

[tufsu1]

And I also believe USF has some kind of campus in DT Tampa. 

not quite...they have a medical reserach facility (CAMLS) and are planning to build a med school as part of Jeff Vinik's Channelside redevelopment.  For more on Vink's plans, check out this cool website

http://tampawaterfront2020.com/

[tufsu1]

Jax. is severely hampered by still unresolved pension issues. 

That's a pretty weak excuse.  There are a myriad of things Jacksonville could do that in no way, shape, or form has anything to do with the funding of pensions.

much of what downtown Tampa has done over the past five years has required capital investments from the City.  That is something seemingly unattainable in Jacksonville right now given our long-term budget forecast.

[BD51]

First, thank you for the great article. I've been waiting for something like this.

While there are strong similarities as this article highlighted, there really is no comparison (currently)...it's Tampa all the way. I lived on Harbour Island and could walk/bike to just about everything in these photos. While certainly not perfect by any means, downtown Tampa is compact and has an energy/vibe that Jax hasn't been able to create yet. IMO, the following help to make downtown Tampa the clear winner:

1. Many more residential areas, including Harbour Island, Channelside district, Davis Islands and Bayshore, which are not considered to be in the downtown core, but close enough.
2. University of Tampa and the newer USF Medical Research facility (Medical School in the future)
3. Convention Center. Without it, the Embassy Suites and Marriott would not exist. The convention center has a large impact on downtown Tampa.
4. Amalie Arena. This is more about the location of the arena in comparison to Jax. It also helps to host 40 NHL games per year.

We all know Jax has great potential, but it has some catching up to do.