Downtown Vision

[acme54321]

Great questions Joey. If you were a downtown property owner, would you rather your special assessment dollars go to extra policing or the "Downtown Ambassador "program?
I once told Terry Lorrince (the previous director of DVI) that the Downtown Ambassador program was a total waste and that they could get virtually the same results from retirees looking to volunteer and stay active, along with occasional weekend cleanups from various groups. My dad's Rotary Club and mom's Garden Club in NC provide a ton of free volunteer hours to help maintain very well regarded downtown's and greenway's up there. It would be extremely easy to do this in Jax.

But even if you keep the Ambassador's, are their hours even the most optimal? They work from Monday-Friday 7am to 8:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4:30pm. Shouldn't Saturday and Sunday from 4:30 to 8:30 be peak visitor demand?

I would venture to say that if we took all of DVI's dollars and invested them in JSO officers Downtown, it would be better return than anything else DVI could add. 

If DVI had dollars left over, they should be advocating for mass transit connectivity with Downtown via buses (not U2C or Skyway!) to the surrounding urban core and/or looping through the core.  They should also be advocating for quality of life items like supporting riverfront parks, cultural events, etc.  I have been to countless downtowns, many far bigger than ours (doesn't take much) and well placed maps with City landmarks and attractions on street corners is more than adequate.  Add a well placed info center run by Visit Jax and you would have better outcomes with almost no additional expense.

It is time leaders in Downtown stop trying to show they are "smarter than the average bear" or how clever they are and just copy and paste what most every downtown in the world already does.

Ambassador hours could definitely be better.  I don't agree with throwing money at JSO though.  If anything they could hire security guards and if there is a real issue they could call JSO. 

Also, most people don't want to ride a bus.  Like it or not it has a stigma in most places.

[CityLife]

If paying for additional JSO hours is a challenge, then utilize volunteer police services to do the same thing. JSO already has a volunteer program called the "Auxiliary Officer Program". Jacksonville Beach (and countless other cities) has a Citizens on Patrol Program that uses volunteers to direct traffic, write parking tickets, and proactively patrol and report issues to real officers.

Jax is a civic oriented city and likely has hundreds of early retirees (50-65) and younger people that want a path to becoming a police officer that would love to volunteer 10-15 hours a week to help the city. DVI should partner with JSO to create a special program that utilizes the Auxiliary Officer Program to put uniformed police volunteers (without guns) all over downtown to assist with patrolling and monitoring issues. While they are around, I'm sure they could also help clean up trash and do whatever minor cosmetic things the DVI Ambassadors do. At minimum, this could greatly expand the police presence downtown and put more eyes on the street. At best, it could greatly reduce the expenses of the Ambassador program or even make it unnecessary altogether.

[Steve]

I once told Terry Lorrince (the previous director of DVI) that the Downtown Ambassador program was a total waste and that they could get virtually the same results from retirees looking to volunteer and stay active, along with occasional weekend cleanups from various groups. My dad's Rotary Club and mom's Garden Club in NC provide a ton of free volunteer hours to help maintain very well regarded downtown's and greenway's up there. It would be extremely easy to do this in Jax.

Ambassador's aside, we seem to be allergic to this sort of ask - working with business group and civic organizations to contribute. This happens in a lot of other cities, but we never seem to do this here. Case in point look at Lakeland's Bonnet Springs Park - $100M park with $0 from the taxpayers.

[thelakelander]

^City of Lakeland and the LDDA has demonstrated for decades that they can develop a downtown master plan and fund it through incremental implementation and investment. Local private money for public quality-of-life investments becomes more easy to secure when you have that type of track record. Lakeland is small beans compared to Jax. So it shows what could be easily accomplished here, if we get our act right.

[marcuscnelson]

I'm not sure why getting rid of Ambassadors would be a good thing. Plenty of other cities have similar programs to help open and maintain their urban centers, and the Sheriff's Office is very well funded (with the new union agreement even moreso). Obviously there's more work to do on the sense of safety Downtown but a lot of that starts with giving people with things to do, things to do Downtown. Live, work, play. If the bulk of people there are the ones with nothing better to do then naturally it is going to feel like that.

If DVI had dollars left over, they should be advocating for mass transit connectivity with Downtown via buses (not U2C or Skyway!) to the surrounding urban core and/or looping through the core.  They should also be advocating for quality of life items like supporting riverfront parks, cultural events, etc.  I have been to countless downtowns, many far bigger than ours (doesn't take much) and well placed maps with City landmarks and attractions on street corners is more than adequate.  Add a well placed info center run by Visit Jax and you would have better outcomes with almost no additional expense.

It is time leaders in Downtown stop trying to show they are "smarter than the average bear" or how clever they are and just copy and paste what most every downtown in the world already does.

I absolutely agree that how people get around is one of the most important questions to answer, but I think it's important to think contextually instead of declaring buses a solution in and of itself. Obviously people have to get places, so we should be thinking about the fastest and most convenient way to do that for the context of the urban core. That might still mean a bus but for the distances we're dealing with, and if we are assuming that we want success then providing a competitive alternative to driving might not, and we should be willing to decide that and actually implement it.

But I doubly agree that we spend too much money, effort, and time trying to reinvent the wheel instead of just copying the best practices of cities that have succeeded.

Lots of very cool things may be proposed, or even permitted, but neither the DVI nor the CBD are in any position to be patting themselves on the back for momentum in 2024. It’s not pessimism, it’s just put up or shut up. When you’ve got what is currently the worst downtown of perhaps any Top 40 city in the U.S., you don’t get to brag - yet.

If the people tasked with fixing it don’t recognize that there’s a problem, the whole thing falls apart.

Again and again our problem seems to be leadership or the lack of it.

[Ken_FSU]

GOOD NEWS GUYS.

WE'VE GOT A BOOM!



$9 BILLION IN THE PIPE.

[Joey Mackey]

DVI telling us downtown is booming is the same energy as the Biden Administration telling the average American the economy is doing great.

[jcjohnpaint]

A lot of these projects are not happening. Some announced in 22 and seem dead.

[Ken_FSU]

Real gaslightly clown show.

Which is appropriate for an organization led by a fella who stomps around a dying downtown in shiny silver Crocs.

[marcuscnelson]

For some context, this report (the 2024 State of Downtown Report from DVI) does the following:

• Counts One Riverside as 396 units Under Construction
• Counts RiversEdge as 950 units Under Construction
• Still includes Cathedral Commons as In Review
• Still includes Furchgott's as In Review
• Still includes Laura Street Trio as In Review (maybe that's not completely out the window)
• Still includes The Den as In Review
• Includes the Cross Regions Tower
• Includes the Armory Flats
• Includes RiversEdge as a 200 room hotel In Review with a $693 million total project cost
• Includes the Laura Street Trio hotel with an $89 million project cost
• Counts the Fuller Warren Shared Use Path as a $146 million project
• Counts the "Bay Street Innovation Corridor and the Ultimate Urban Circulator" as a $379 million project

[Ken_FSU]

Some TRULY wild gaslighting here.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/nov/21/inside-the-2024-state-of-downtown-report-by-downtown-vision/

[CityLife]

Still waiting for someone to say what DVI's recent successes are...So let's look at DVI's 9 Principles to Improve Downtown as posted on their website. Copied and pasted directly from here: https://dtjax.com/whatwecareabout/

1.  Implementation of (and ample funding for) the City’s Downtown Master Plan (including the Downtown Investment Authority and its CRA Plan and BID Plan)

Public investment is a transformative force in creating the Downtown we all want. Supporting the implementation of the City’s Downtown Master Plan, which includes the DIA’s CRA Plan and BID Plan requires adequate funding, streamlined processes, strategic advocacy and strengthened capacities within the DIA.

2. A strong sense of place through public investment and meticulous maintenance

Public investment and meticulous maintenance are essential to creating a strong sense of place. “Curb appeal” is an essential factor in economic development and requires strong pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, ample and well maintained public realm assets—including lighting, signage and landscaping— and vibrant, active parks. Enhancing the visual appeal, functionality and overall atmosphere of Downtown attracts residents, businesses and visitors alike.

3. A welcoming environment where absolutely everyone feels safe

Ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for everyone is a priority. Coordinated efforts, targeted homelessness outreach, enhanced security measures, and investments in infrastructure and lighting work together to create a downtown that feels inviting and inclusive.

4. More things to do! (ex. restaurants, retail, culture, events & tourism amenities)

Diverse cultural, entertainment and recreational offerings and activated public places foster a distinctive identity and a sense of place that resonates with residents and visitors. Strategic investments, regulatory and permitting adjustments, and community engagement are proposed to achieve this and make Downtown an exciting destination.

5. An accessible and connected Downtown focused on people not cars

A shift from car-centric urban design to a people-centric approach is crucial. Prioritizing pedestrians, bicycles and public transportation creates an accessible, safe, well-connected and environmentally sustainable Downtown that enhances well-being and quality of life.

6. A resilient and historically preserved Downtown

Balancing historical preservation with forward-looking resiliency strategies is key. Preserving historic buildings contributes to the character of Downtown, and being prepared for climate change impacts ensures a vibrant and connected environment for the future.

7. Eased barriers to development (ex. streamlined permitting & incentive support)

Addressing barriers in development requires streamlined permitting, robust funding incentive support, requirement flexibility, and coordination between City departments to stimulate economic growth, accommodate diverse projects, and transform the urban landscape.

8. A more livable Downtown with all the things that contribute to overall well-being

A plentiful and diverse residential base supports the Downtown ecosystem and is critical to Downtown’s success. A livable Downtown requires well-maintained infrastructure, thoughtful urban planning, affordable housing, quality jobs, educational resources, and medical services, and great third places. A thriving community with a strong sense of belonging, safety, connectivity, and overall well-being, will cultivate a prosperous Downtown.

9. Downtown is Different

Rules, plans and standards should reflect Downtown’s unique character, dense environment, walkability and public transit options.

How does everyone think DVI is doing at implementing the 9 principles?

[jaxlongtimer]

Still waiting for someone to say what DVI's recent successes are...So let's look at DVI's 9 Principles to Improve Downtown as posted on their website. Copied and pasted directly from here: https://dtjax.com/whatwecareabout/

1.  Implementation of (and ample funding for) the City’s Downtown Master Plan (including the Downtown Investment Authority and its CRA Plan and BID Plan)

Public investment is a transformative force in creating the Downtown we all want. Supporting the implementation of the City’s Downtown Master Plan, which includes the DIA’s CRA Plan and BID Plan requires adequate funding, streamlined processes, strategic advocacy and strengthened capacities within the DIA.

2. A strong sense of place through public investment and meticulous maintenance

Public investment and meticulous maintenance are essential to creating a strong sense of place. “Curb appeal” is an essential factor in economic development and requires strong pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, ample and well maintained public realm assets—including lighting, signage and landscaping— and vibrant, active parks. Enhancing the visual appeal, functionality and overall atmosphere of Downtown attracts residents, businesses and visitors alike.

3. A welcoming environment where absolutely everyone feels safe

Ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for everyone is a priority. Coordinated efforts, targeted homelessness outreach, enhanced security measures, and investments in infrastructure and lighting work together to create a downtown that feels inviting and inclusive.

4. More things to do! (ex. restaurants, retail, culture, events & tourism amenities)

Diverse cultural, entertainment and recreational offerings and activated public places foster a distinctive identity and a sense of place that resonates with residents and visitors. Strategic investments, regulatory and permitting adjustments, and community engagement are proposed to achieve this and make Downtown an exciting destination.

5. An accessible and connected Downtown focused on people not cars

A shift from car-centric urban design to a people-centric approach is crucial. Prioritizing pedestrians, bicycles and public transportation creates an accessible, safe, well-connected and environmentally sustainable Downtown that enhances well-being and quality of life.

6. A resilient and historically preserved Downtown

Balancing historical preservation with forward-looking resiliency strategies is key. Preserving historic buildings contributes to the character of Downtown, and being prepared for climate change impacts ensures a vibrant and connected environment for the future.

7. Eased barriers to development (ex. streamlined permitting & incentive support)

Addressing barriers in development requires streamlined permitting, robust funding incentive support, requirement flexibility, and coordination between City departments to stimulate economic growth, accommodate diverse projects, and transform the urban landscape.

8. A more livable Downtown with all the things that contribute to overall well-being

A plentiful and diverse residential base supports the Downtown ecosystem and is critical to Downtown’s success. A livable Downtown requires well-maintained infrastructure, thoughtful urban planning, affordable housing, quality jobs, educational resources, and medical services, and great third places. A thriving community with a strong sense of belonging, safety, connectivity, and overall well-being, will cultivate a prosperous Downtown.

9. Downtown is Different

Rules, plans and standards should reflect Downtown’s unique character, dense environment, walkability and public transit options.

How does everyone think DVI is doing at implementing the 9 principles?

I can't speak to #7 but on all the others, on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, I find it hard to give many of these much over a 1, 2 or 3, and that's being generous in many cases.

Starting with #1, where is this City's Downtown master plan and, if there is one, is it adequately vetted, detailed and adhered to?  Just one example:  When you look at the Daily's gas station and JTA U2C maintenance center as gateway properties how can they say they are on top of this item.  The random prostitution to any developer with a rendering on any given property further demonstrates failure in this regard.

#5 mentions promoting public transportation. Not counting the worthless U2C project, I don't see any improvements planned, starting with an urban circulating mass transit vehicle (bus, streetcar, horse and buggy...anything?).

I could detail examples of failure on the other principles but they have been well documented in numerous threads on the Jaxson.

This isn't all on DVI... it includes DIA, JTA, city council, mayoral administrations, etc.

I also read the Daily Record's report (https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/nov/21/inside-the-2024-state-of-downtown-report-by-downtown-vision/) on the real status of things reported by DVI's annual report, and it makes it clear that the report is not of much use given the way nebulous, failing, suspended, vapor, speculative, etc. projects are included or double counted (i.e. reported over multiple years).  The report should only focus on real and actual new projects moving forward or being terminated in the subject year... as that is the real measure of incremental progress or lack thereof.