Bring Home The USS Adams To Downtown Jacksonville

[thelakelander]

We need attractions that bring people who will stay awhile and spend money.  A destination attraction.

Downtown is a ghost town. At this point, we need to focus on the basic infrastructure needs (upgrading parks, two-waying streets, lighting streets at night, better integrating existing ground floor retail/dining with the public realm) and simply stop self sabotaging a market that would naturally result in economic opportunity coming to downtown.

As for attractions, we're going in reverse with that right now. Our best short term and likely easiest opportunity is taking advantage of the Landing and repurposing it into a mix of uses that can complement and blend with the private projects either already in the works or planned right around the site. Unfortunately, we're blowing it big time demolishing the building with no vetted idea of what to do with the space afterward. So other than being in a time where social media and puff press releases come out on a regular basis, all we're getting is more of the same failed strategies that didn't work in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

[thelakelander]

< snip >

  We'd be better off with the world's largest ball of twine or an annual mullet pageant.

The fish or the hairstyle?

Yes

Funny thing is opening areas to basic things like fishing actually makes some sense for naturally activating use and attracting people.

[BridgeTroll]

< snip >

  We'd be better off with the world's largest ball of twine or an annual mullet pageant.

The fish or the hairstyle?

https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20131106/NEWS/801243547

[Kerry]

I agree that the ship downtown is not a good idea.  It may bring a few people downtown to see it, but what type of visitor does it bring?  We need attractions that bring people who will stay awhile and spend money.  A destination attraction.  It's only a short distance to drive on to Orlando and find some really popular sights and things to do.  We need places that appeal to the locals.  How is a maintenance-heavy rust bucket solve that?  We'd be better off with the world's largest ball of twine or an annual mullet pageant.

Largest Ball of Twine is already taken.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rZe_a2GO1U

[Snaketoz]

< snip >

  We'd be better off with the world's largest ball of twine or an annual mullet pageant.

The fish or the hairstyle?

The hairstyle.  If that doesn't work, how about a tattoo or piercing showdown? A loudest muffler on pickup contest?

[Snaketoz]

We need attractions that bring people who will stay awhile and spend money.  A destination attraction.

Downtown is a ghost town. At this point, we need to focus on the basic infrastructure needs (upgrading parks, two-waying streets, lighting streets at night, better integrating existing ground floor retail/dining with the public realm) and simply stop self sabotaging a market that would naturally result in economic opportunity coming to downtown.

As for attractions, we're going in reverse with that right now. Our best short term and likely easiest opportunity is taking advantage of the Landing and repurposing it into a mix of uses that can complement and blend with the private projects either already in the works or planned right around the site. Unfortunately, we're blowing it big time demolishing the building with no vetted idea of what to do with the space afterward. So other than being in a time where social media and puff press releases come out on a regular basis, all we're getting is more of the same failed strategies that didn't work in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

I agree lake.  Before that will work we need to have a person in City Hall who is responsible for the morale and spirit of this city.  We have an inferiority complex like few others.  I remember just after the city consolidated, the came out with a very short campaign that seemed to work, but was abandoned.  Part of it was the "Bold New City" stuff, and another was simple bumper stickers that had Jacksunville with a sun behind the Jacksunville.  There were thousands on vehicles across the area.  We need to feel proud of our city.  Instead of squandering millions on gun shot tracers, demolishing buildings, and hiring a never ending stream of paid consultants, spend some on promoting our potentially great city.

[Captain Zissou]

Steinhatchee already has a mullet tossing competition.  Should we do our next city council trip there?

[Snaketoz]

Steinhatchee already has a mullet tossing competition.  Should we do our next city council trip there?

Let our council catch those tossed mullets.

[blizz01]

I only remember WAPE stickers......everywhere.

[Snaketoz]

I only remember WAPE stickers......everywhere.

"This is the mighty 690, WAPE, the most powerful station in the nation".