I've decided since I have ALL the answers that I would try and solve the ills that plague downtown Jacksonville. The fate of the city of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Jaguars is one and the same. I believe that unless until downtown starts to attract residents and tourists alike it will continue to be fodder for journalists. Also, I believe until the Jaguars start winning and going to the playoffs consistently, with a trip to the Super Bowl soon, they will be fodder for journalists to say negative things. Who cares? I do. I didn't spend my childhood listening to news reports and reading newspapers insisting we HAD to have a NFL team (circa 1991), to get one (1993) and squander the opportunity (2012). I lived in Atlanta for 12 years. I returned in 2003 to a city transformed. I became a season ticket holder in 2005. I have since been questionable luck for the Jaguars. They have been rebuilding ever since.
I hear discussions about how downtown Jacksonville isn't very attractive, exciting, insert your own adjective here. I'll admit, until my return in 2003, I wasn't really one to go downtown. There was nothing down there. So, what about downtown can be improved to make it more attractive? And by attractive, I mean to say attractions, food, shopping facilities. You get the idea.
What's sad is that The Landing is in the shambles it's in. It was once grand. I know that's hard to believe. They had an original Banana Republic (you know the original jungle themed BR), Laura Ashley, and others. Parking this or that? Make it work people. This is not brain surgery.
First, let's tear down the old courthouse and put something attractive, that actually pays taxes, and is entertaining. It baffles me why they put a courthouse on riverfront property. While we are on the subject, I believe they should move the Duval County Public Schools offices off of the southbank (prime riverfront property) and move it to somewhere on the north side of Jacksonville. Also, move the jail, from one block off the river to another not so prime location. I mean really??! Who planned this nonsense?
Let me be clear. This blog was not to be about who is paying taxes and who isn't. But, if taxes aren't being paid on MAJOR pieces of land in and around downtown and the river, shouldn't this property be built up and taxes paid on them? What is the benefit of having city buildings where revenue could be made? That revenue could go towards I don't know parking and attracting the right businesses?!! Am I crazy?
Make Maxwell House something like Annheiser Busch. Give tours. Why not bring schools through there and educate children on how coffee is made. I don't know. But attract young people to downtown and bring some education to it.
I hate to go here, but I'm going to because I HAVE to. I have been told the reason nothing gets done downtown is because of First Baptist Church downtown. I've heard they own half of downtown. How can they own half of downtown??!! Who does this? Which by extension means that they don't pay taxes because they are a religious institution? So, how is it they get a say in what happens downtown?
How about getting Ben Carter developers, the brains behind St. Johns Town Center, and get them to develop the riverfront in downtown? DO SOMETHING. Oh that's right someone tried to develop the area along the river by the stadium but it defaulted. So who's paying taxes on that? WOW. Am I the only one paying taxes at this point???
Some of my friends have even said put casinos on the river. That will NEVER happen. Also a credit to the downtown religious institutions.
So if you want Jacksonville to be relevant, let's do something. ANYTHING. I'm tired of being irrelevant. Are you?
MDK in the House
We must protect this house.
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