Fall 2019

Q:
CHECKING
More than 4,000 readers of
The Florida Times-Union have
volunteered to be part of the
Email Interactive Group. They
respond to occasional questions
about public issues in our
community.
Linda Segall,
Jacksonville
Several years ago before GPS,
my sister-in-law was in Jacksonville
for business. I found
the streets confusing. I had
difficulty finding the Omni!
Although I have GPS now, I
still find navigating Downtown
extremely difficult.
Patricia A. Kidd,
Jacksonville
If we are speaking of current
experiences, it would definitely
be going to events in
the beautiful Main Library,
from the Makerspace to
weddings. The worst experience
involves parks filled with
trash and loiterers.
Mary Bolin,
Jacksonville Beach
I always enjoyed the lighting
of the Christmas tree at the
Landing. The music and entertainment
was a great way to
celebrate the season.
THE PULSE
Terri Quint,
Ponte Vedra
The least alluring aspect of
going Downtown is finding
a parking space that doesn’t
cost $20. There should be
several parking garages with
a $5 maximum charge and
more parking meters.
Barbara Link,
Jacksonville
The worst is having someone
panhandle you every time
you get out of your car. Then
there’s the smell of the urine
on the streets, the food trash
that goes into the river when
we get a rainstorm. Take old
military barracks and require
the homeless to take care of
them. Do the right thing to
save the city.
Lisa Elwell,
Ponte Vedra Beach
Our best: Back in the early
‘90s, we used to bring our
boat Downtown, tie up at
the Landing or at River City
Brewery and go to the restaurants
and shop at the Landing.
I used to love watching fudge
being made at the Landing.
Our worst: Going to the Florida
Theatre and being harassed by
homeless people.
By Mike Clark
What were your best
and worst experiences in
Downtown Jacksonville?
Linda Willson,
Southside
My best experiences have
involved seeing singers and
dancers I admire at the Florida
Theatre. Just visiting the theatre
itself is a treat. My worst
experiences Downtown have
involved trouble finding parking,
getting lost because of the
troublesome one-way streets,
the exhausting heat during the
eight months of summer and
no shade.
Bonnie Sinatro,
Jacksonville
My best Downtown experience
by far? One Spark! It highlighted
everything wonderful
about Jacksonville — the arts,
the music, the fun. So many
young businesses got their
start at this event, and so much
cutting-edge creativity was
showcased. Bring it back!
Karen Bound,
Jacksonville
Best experiences are good
shows at the Florida Theatre
and the Times-Union Center.
Worst experiences involve
horrendous parking for handicapped
people. I would be
enticed to come Downtown
with a block or two of ethnic
restaurants.
Harriet Pruette,
Neptune Beach
While driving near the city bus
terminal, I see people sleeping
and sprawled along the sidewalks
with plastic bags and
garbage and filth. It’s absolutely
disgusting and certainly
shows the ugliness of Jacksonville.
The city should definitely
clean up the public areas.
Pat Cassidy,
Jacksonville
My best experience is going
to Jaguars games via bus. It’s
easy and the price is great.
The worst is going to the
Times-Union Center for my
granddaughter’s dance recital.
Parking was $20 and it took
40 minutes to get out. Downtown
has too many one-way
streets, overpriced parking
and too few attractions.
Probably my best experience Downtown involves
walking across the Main Street Bridge and
watching the fireworks for the Christmas boat
parade. I really liked the waterfalls of fireworks
off the bridges. The worst? I am uncomfortable
when homeless people panhandle me.
Linda Vacca, Jacksonville
40
J MAGAZINE | FALL 2019