I have to wonder if trying to make Jacksonville's downtown hip, or at least worth leaving Riverside for, is ever really going to work.
Some are trying, like they have been for the past several years, putting in that last ditch effort to save a relationship that you both know is long over. Like any relationship, though, difference of religion can become an issue. Let me explain.
The First Baptist Church, as everyone knows, owns downtown Jacksonville. They own most of the parking garages, so there's nowhere for people to park even if there was something to do there. They also buy up most of the liquor licenses, which makes it very hard to open up a new bar downtown, essentially killing the possibility of any sort of nightlife. Not to mention that many of the top honchos in the local political scene are members of the church.
So Downtown Vision Inc. thinks it can actually make a difference by adding some thought bubble stickers to the windows of downtown shops and restaurants, and parking meters(?). To be fair, that's not all they've done. They've also added handy guides that walk around in park ranger costumes preaching the gospel of downtown Jacksonville to confused passers-by.
Well, I'm sorry Smokey the Bear, but it's going to take more than a few small stunts to revive downtown. For starters, the will of the local government. Until they gather their dignity and start their walk of shame away from the mega-church/mega-political-powerhouse the've been bedding, downtown life will forevor remain a stagnant reminder of the backwards politics that led us here.
Welcome to Jacksonville: The Bold New City of the South!
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Awesome post. Downtown Jax could definitely be better than it is now. There isn't much to do in my opinion, and I think that it will take a great effort from local government to boost the excitement of our city. Jacksonville could be a happening place if our downtown was something that would attract people.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing bold about Jax is JSO; the number of times they're on the news for doing something wrong and seemingly not caring every time. But that's on another story, downtown is pretty lame. There is really no nightlife here compared to downtown scenes like Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, etc. But this is kind of what makes Jacksonville unique. This city is spread out, so the nightlife can be found in pockets on the southside, westside, and towards the beach. If there was more to do and a better variety Jax would be way better.
ReplyDeleteI am 24 years old and have been to the down town area to go to bars only two times, and both experiences were awful. In my opinion there isn't much to do in the downtown area. The only time I go there is to watch a football game, which looks like, I might not be doing that for that much longer. Downtown Jacksonville just doesn't compare at all to other cities. I live at the beach and if I am planning on going out I would much rather stay out here.
ReplyDeleteDowntown Jax is scary. I would never go down there just for the fun. Were going to lose the Jags and then there will be no reason for people to go down there. The landing is rediculous as well. I wish our downtown was more like Houstons or Atlanta.
ReplyDeletehaha I enjoyed your post. I am from New Jersey and haven't been here that long, so I wasn't really informed on all of this, but I do agree that from the brief encounters I've had (once went to Mark's, I think? and to the Jags games) it kinda sucks. That is the ONE thing I miss from up North- being able to go into the city, there's nothing like it here!
ReplyDeleteJackonville really does need some more entertainment downtown. There is not much to do at all. If you compare Jacksonville to other cities, our city indeed doesn't have anything to offer.
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