J Magazine Winter 2017

DISPLAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 2017
THE MAGAZINE OF THE REBIRTH OF JACKSONVILLE’S DOWNTOWN
FEEDBACK
OWNERSHIP
I S S U E
PAST ITS PRIME
COULD A NEW
CONVENTION
CENTER BREATHE
MORE LIFE INTO
DOWNTOWN?
P26
DEVELOPMENT
THE CATHEDRAL
DISTRICT AIMS
TO ADD HEART
TO THE CORE
P66
HOMELESSNESS
NO QUICK FIX
IN SIGHT FOR
DOWNTOWN
HOMELESS
POPULATION
P78
WHO OWNS
DOWNTOWN?
$4.95
HINT: HE’S ONE OF THEM
P18
FALL 2017
THE OWNERSHIP ISSUE
AFTER LOOKING INTO WHO OWNS
Jacksonville’s Downtown (along with who is
and isn’t paying property taxes) in our fall
issue, we knew this would be a hot topic
with readers. More than 100 of you weighed
in on the issue.
RE: WHO OWNS DOWNTOWN?
“Government owns
400 properties
Downtown. They
need to start putting
out RFPs for those
properties and return
them to the tax rolls.”
Kerry Decker
“What the public should really focus
on is why is the old City Hall and old
Courthouse property still sitting empty.
Where is our City Council leadership on
this issue?”
Doug Diamond
“Ownership aside, look at the impact of
the zoning laws and regs ... the long-term
impact of the zoning laws make it very
difficult to re-establish a fully functioning
downtown.”
Paul Risner
RE: Sub Prime: Is Jacksonville’s convention center past its prime?
“If the city can ever
get over it’s selfesteem
issues and fund
big ticket projects ...
the sky is the limit. I
wholeheartedly support
Jacksonvillle’s effort
for a new convention
center, even if taxes were
raised to support putting
“Why doesn’t Jax do
something like the Kansas
City Power and Light
District. Redo the Landing
... it’s set up just like KC’s.”
Paget Danielle Cooks
“Until they fix the
Downtown parking
situation they’re never
going to draw the numbers
of people needed to truly
revitalize the area.”
Darin Delegal
Jacksonville on the map.”
Mike Clark
“The ongoing talk of
turning the terminal
back into a train hub is
exciting. If we build a new
convention center, then it
needs to be first class.”
Shane Windhaus
RE: ELBOW BOOM: With the opening of an upscale
restaurant, The Elbow District is getting a shot of adrenaline
“I live in The Elbow and
we absolutely love it.
It’s true that it’s quiet
sometimes, but there is
always something to do
if you know where to
look. And the neighbors
are phenomenal people.
It’s almost like living in a
small town. You become
familiar with all your
neighbors and the local
business owners.”
Amanda Dillard
RE: FLOAT TRIPS:
Should Jacksonville’s
water taxis be free?
“The (water
taxis) have to go
‘somewhere’ that’s
amazing. The
Landing is not it.”
Keri Kidder
“The water taxi is
fun to ride and see
the city, especially
at night. People
who have never
been on a boat
would love it.”
Laurie Boehme
“I certainly don’t
want to subsidize
water taxis. No, this
shouldn’t be free.”
Peter Carroll
RE: Uncovering The
Emerald Necklace
“I hope this happens.
How exciting!”
Susan Aertker
WINTER 2017-18 | J MAGAZINE 9