It's been the same story since the 80's, the "progress" made downtown is probably due as much to the population explosion than any real innovation. If the city and developers were truly interested in growing or invigorating downtown the solution is simple, affordable housing. I would love to live downtown, but why pay twice to three times the rent when I can live in Riverside so much cheaper and have more within walking distance. When I moved back to Jax, I looked at some "artist lofts" downtown and found no such thing. An "artist loft" does not have brand new appliances, hard wood floors, etc. that is a professional condo. Provide housing that young people (not necessarily professionals) but students, artists, singles, etc can afford and the want to be urbanites will follow.
