I agree, another great article. I love the unique architecture in many of the residential photos. Unfortunately many of the homes look like they need some TLC, as I guess is the case for most of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown. I"m wondering when can we stop talking about the benefits of rail and actually start reaping them? I hope rail does eventually come to Jacksonville. When it does, however, there will need to be some serious neighborhood discussions about how to embrace it. For example, a community like Durkeeville, should continue to keep it's unique building character and history, while still coming up with ways to improve it that do not include demolition. Neighborhoods are going to need to be allowed to set some guidelines on what kind of new development they want. In my opinion, Jacksonville sucks in this area. City Hall makes all of the decisions and rarely is public input sought. Will Jacksonville continue to just rubber stamp APPROVED to every new cookie cutter development or will they allow input so unique areas around downtown don't just become suburb look-a-likes with crappy strip malls and unimaginative homes. New development should be required to fit into its surroundings, but at the same time move neighborhoods forward in terms of economic growth.
