The lights are much brighter there

Posted on February 9, 2011 by newzgrrl

The Jacksonville Civic Council released Tuesday morning its final report of the Northbank Redevelopment Task Force. Peter Rummell, Civic Council chair, and Preston Haskell, Civic Council member and Task Force chair, presented the information to the media.

“Downtown is an economic development story that is every bit important as moving a Fortune 500 company to Jacksonville. Downtown is how you become defined in the world,” Mr. Rummell said in his opening remarks.

The report is divided into six categories: The Case for Downtown, Land Use Recommendations, Governance and Implementation, Business Case and Economics, Near-Term and Related Issues, and Summary and Conclusions. Here are some highlights from the first category (in quotes), along with my thoughts. I will post highlights from the other categories through the week.

The Case for Downtown: Some residents believe the time for Downtown development has passed, that the city center has moved to the greater Southside – much of which is on the former Skinner’s Dairy property – and the skeletal remains of Downtown should be bulldozed into oblivion. Comments on Downtown stories at the Times-Union’s website abound with these sentiments.

The report does a nice job of building a case for Downtown. “Without a useful downtown, the surrounding neighborhoods are simply left with a hollow core, an empty eyesore, a symbol of a time gone by, a reminder of former grandeur that does not go away.” Wow.

As it continues, the report says there are two dimensions to Downtown vitality. “First, a vibrant city center delivers tangible economic benefits to the entire city – not just those living Downtown. But beyond that, it is a symbol of community cohesion, partnership between the private and the public sectors, quality of life, local pride, external reputation, and community history.”

“A city’s Downtown is a physical reflection of civic pride, self-worth and confidence … The television aerial shot during a football game is of Downtown, not a suburb.”

“Downtown helps reduce sprawl by concentrating activity in one area. By building density in the heart of the community, we make the entire city more livable, and protect and sustain the outlying areas. An economically productive Downtown spills over into the suburbs, raising values and per-capita incomes throughout the community.”

An oft-repeated quote since the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s October visit to Indianapolis comes from that city’s former mayor, Bill Hudnut: “You cannot be the suburbs of nowhere.” It came up again today. Perhaps this can be turned into a billboard and plastered all over Arlington, the Beaches, Baymeadows, Regency, Timuquana, Normandy, Oceanway, Mandarin, Northside, the Intracoastal, Westside and at the entrance to St. Johns Town Center.

As an aside, it was a great pleasure to read the report, and not just because it is a potential path forward for Downtown. It was clearly written in simple language. One did not need a background in planning and development to understand the report. The information was straightforward. One English major rejoiced and considered quoting the entire report.

Posted in Make it better, Revitalizing Downtown | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Every girl’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man

Posted on February 5, 2011 by newzgrrl

Jacksonville is a casual town. With an ocean on the east end, a river down the middle and plenty of watersports and sunshine, flip-flops and shorts take up space in every wardrobe.

Sometimes, though, we get dressed up.

Tonight is one of those times. Especially on the 200 block of Water Street — Jacksonville Humane Society is hosting its annual Fur Ball Gala at the Omni Hotel, and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra is performing its annual opera at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts. (In case you’re wondering, it’s Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love.”)

And coming in March, we’ll have our very own, inaugural, Jacksonville Fashion Week. We may not surpass New York just yet, but perhaps Atlanta will be on the lookout. Bold new fashion in the bold new city!

UPDATE: There was a small, very small, minority of people who did not dress their best for the opera. They wore jeans. Some wore “designer” (aka trendy and expensive) shirts. (And yes, I put designer in quotations on purpose, not to insult fashion designers but to differentiate them from cheap trend that is thought to be fashionable.) I didn’t notice footwear — there may or may not have been bejeweled flip-flops.

Otherwise, there were many long gowns and cocktail dresses, sparkles and shawls, heels and hose. What a glorious sight — Duval goes Debutante!

Across Water Street at the Omni, even puppies were decked out in pearls, sequins, tutus and jewels. I got only one photo, but it includes three generations of ladies. (Four if you want to count the original owner of the sparkly brooch.)

Beth, Carol (Mom) and Inez (Grandma)

I think the best-dressed man was my date. He wore a three-piece suit. Prior to Saturday night, I thought men under 65 only used suit vests when the bride insisted on them for the wedding party. We were well matched, he in a black suit with a silver brocade tie and I in a lavender-grey dress with silver accents. It is unfortunate that he was behind the camera.

Posted in Festive neighborhood, Jax Culturati, So much to do! | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hey, children, what’s that sound?

Posted on January 7, 2011 by newzgrrl

He has been called the City’s most loyal employee, in service for 120 years now. On the few occasions when he has taken a break, his employer fields calls to be sure he is in good health. Should you forget your watch while working Downtown, you’ll still know when to go to lunch and when to go home at the end of the day.

Big Jim is a 32″ copper steam whistle sitting atop the JEA waterworks pump house at Main and 1st streets in Springfield. Big Jim sounds four times each work day: 7 a.m. (or so I’ve been told), noon, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. For several years, he was atop the Southside Generating Station formerly located to the east of the School Board building on the South bank.  There was a period of quiet, but otherwise he sounded the alarm during the Great Fire, marked the end of wars, and rang out for 100 seconds on the centennial anniversary of the Great Fire, among other remembrances and celebrations.

If you’ve never heard Big Jim, you might not recognize the sound at first. Listen closely at the top of those four hours. It’s a low, three-note clarion that tapers away after a minute. It might sound like an air conditioner or a distant train. If you find yourself at 1st and Main, or anywhere in Springfield, you won’t miss it.

A game I usually play Downtown, if the timing works, is “Can you hear Big Jim from here?” I have heard him from Hemming Park many times (the east side is better, as the Skyway can muffle the low tones), by the old Post Office and Federal Court House, in the Grand Reading Room of the Main Library (less so the other areas), on East Monroe and while visiting with the turtles and fish at MOSH. On occasion, I have heard him sounding the 1 o’clock whistle from St. Nicholas. It shouldn’t be a surprise, with sources claiming the tone can be heard for 10 miles.

“Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage” describes Big Jim as “the smallest object included in this historic inventory, and yet it is encountered daily by more people in Jacksonville than any other landmark.” Big Jim, according to T. Frederick Davis’s “History of Jacksonville, Florida,” was invented by John Einig in 1890. He named the whistle after his brother-in-law, James Patterson, who crafted the whistle. Mr. Einig patented the design and made other whistles and devices using steam power.

Early in his career on the north side of Downtown, Big Jim had a buddy named Old Joe, a 10-foot alligator living in a pond at the waterworks grounds. Old Joe came to Jacksonville in 1887 as an attraction at the Sub-Tropical Exposition, according to Davis. After his death, Old Joe was stuffed for perpetuity and was said to be kept at the waterworks.

Mr. Einig, on the other hand, is buried up Main Street at Evergreen Cemetery. Other notable burials there are architect Henry John Klutho, city founder Isaiah Hart, his son and former governor Ossian Hart, former governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward and his granddaughter and Jacksonville Christmas Party organizer Dorcas Drake.

Why do I love Big Jim so much? Probably because he connects me to my family in an indirect way. Although I grew up in Lawtey, my family has been in Jacksonville for generations. My mother, uncles and grandparents heard him every day when they lived in North Shore. My great-grandmother may not have heard Big Jim sound the alarm for the Great Fire — she was on a steamship on the St. Johns at the time — but she grew up hearing his daily call, along with her mother and sister. Most of my family worked for the City, so you might say they had a hardworking co-worker.

If you find yourself outside on a workday at, say, 12:59 p.m. or 4:59 p.m., give yourself an extra couple of minutes, take a breath, and listen. Connect with workers, residents, and tourists of bygone days. Think about how far Jacksonville has come since 1890, since 1901, since 1967.

 

More Big Jim resources:

Metro Jacksonville.com: Urban Parks (See the last photo in the story set for an image of Big Jim. He’s the slim, dark fellow among the four round objects on the right side of the roof.)

Florida Times-Union: Final Whistle? and Big Jim returns

Posted in Jax Culturati, Jax History, Revitalizing Downtown, Take a look around | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?

Posted on December 30, 2010 by newzgrrl

Ah but in case I stand one little chance, here comes the jackpot question in advance: What are you doing New Year’s, New Year’s Eve?

Downtown Jacksonville is a great place to spend New Year’s Eve, whether you’re on a boat in the St. Johns River, at The Landing with a few thousand of your nearest and dearest, on the Riverwalk or in a hotel or condo tower. The City of Jacksonville’s fireworks display at year-end is usually the best of the year.

In addition to the fireworks, though, there will be special events around the Urban Core. Here’s a selection:

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra: Toast! To the New Year! The Symphony will entertain guests with a concert at 8:30, dancing and jazz music at 10:30 and a private view of the river fireworks at midnight. Information and tickets: Symphony website.

MOCA Contemporaries: 333 Nye: Feel Sexy, Speakeasy. The young professionals group of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville will host a 1920s-inspired party with jazz, gin and flapper dresses. It’s a costumed affair. Information and tickets: MOCA website.

Dive Bar and Mark’s: Mark’s and Dive Bar will throw a Downtown Block Party on Bay Street. For $10, you’re admitted to both bars and get all sorts of New Year’s party favors. There will also be a Gator Bowl party that day.  Information: Mark’s website and Facebook.

LIT: Lit will spice up Ocean Street with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, giveaways, balloon drop and party favors. Cover charge is $5 and the party starts at 8. Information: Lit Facebook.

Dos Gatos: Celebrate Rock n’ Roll New Year’s Eve at Dos Gatos. The venue on East Forsyth Street is gorgeous and the drinks are amazing. The party starts at 8, and there’s a champagne and tequila toast at midnight. $5 cover. Information: Dos Gatos website and Facebook.

The Ivy: For a classy, Downtown evening with a crowd dressed to the nines, check out The Ivy on Bay Street. All-you-can-drink tickets were available in early December, and general admission is $10. Look for red carpet treatment, a balloon drop and complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Information and tickets: The Ivy Facebook (scroll down to the About Ivy section).

Mavericks: If your New Year’s greeting (or any greeting) ends with Y’all, the Honky Tonk at the Landing might be of interest. Mavericks will ring in the New Year with a midnight champagne toast and party favors and balloon drop. Watch the Times Square ball drop from their big-screen televisions. The cover charge is $25. Information and tickets: Mavericks website. On Saturday, look for a big Gator Bowl party, too.

Cafe 331: Over on West Forsyth Street, the doors open at 9 at Cafe 331. Cover charge for all-you-can-drink is $25 until midnight; general admission is $10. Television screens will show countdowns around the world. Information: Cafe 331 website and Facebook.

De Real Ting: If you’re looking for an event without a cover charge, De Real Ting is for you. Happy from 7 to 9, midnight balloon drop and champagne toast, full dinner menu and drink specials. Information: De Real Ting Facebook.

TSI: Need more fun on Bay Street? TSI’s annual Silver and Gold Ball will be a spiffed-up event. Balloon drop, champagne toast, professional photographer. Information: TSI website.

However you celebrate the New Year, BNC5 wishes you happiness and good fortune throughout 2011. Thank you for visiting Downtown!

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