Urban Jacksonville

Unfortunately it was not like this. Credit: farlane

On Monday I asked the Times Union to please send someone to cover the Land Use Map meeting. While the didn’t officially send someone, the TU did represent at the meeting. Jonathan Bennett, the person behind the TU Twitter user @Jaxdotcom and concerned Riverside resident, attended and sent this writeup.

The meeting this evening was surprisingly informative, if sparsely attended.

Besides myself, there were 8 or 9 other people there, mostly RADO/RAP people, and Matt, the editor of Bike Jax (nice guy).

In short, this meeting was a way for COJ to learn about Riverside, Avondale, and what their residents want from future land use changes. If people want to really get involved with how their communities will look, work and feel in the near future, this seems to be the opportunity.

One thing to make a note of - land use changes (as they are being defined here) are more general ideas about a community and how development, or the lack thereof, would best serve the existing community. Zoning issues, which are separate issues, are the details of land use - the height of buildings, number of buildings per block, etc.) Essentially, what the COJ is talking about here are large, general ideas about a community - not specific how wide the sidewalks should be.

A couple of things that stood out to me - the COJ team handed out surveys, and Shariff mentioned that the surveys would be used as scientific evidence in their land use change plans, not merely anecdotal suggestions from residents. That is, residents who become involved and fill out the surveys are directly affecting future land use plans. If it really works like that, it’s a cool approach.

Also, Shariff stressed the need for the COJ, JTA, FDOT, MPO and other local acronyms to work together. While I certainly don’t know the details, there seems to be a disconnect between those organizations and how they all approach Jacksonville’s needs. It seems like Shariff and Co. will be working on fixing those disparities as well.

The COJ team has hosted and will continue to host these open-to-the-community discussions around Jacksonville as they work on the plan. From what I heard tonight and read in the TU lately, they have held a series of similar meetings across the area to encourage input. Once they have gathered enough information, they will formalize their land use changes to the city and state governments.

From the COJ side of things, Shakeeb Shariff led the discussion and fielded questions. He’s a relatively young guy and I was impressed with his willingness to sit down with a community and take the heat for other people’s poor urban development plans. Shariff and Co. seemed genuinely concerned with hearing from the communities - he has led at least one other community meeting, down in Mandarin a few weeks ago. Shariff said he is willing to set up the same presentation for other people/groups. His information is sshariff@coj.net and 904.630.7221.

Hope that helps. To get involved, people can visit these sites:
COJ Community Planning
COJ Community Planning (future land-use map)

or E-mail “questions, comments or concerns” here: communityplanning@coj.net

Oh, and there’s supposed to be a comment blog for vision plan updates here: http://www.zyscovich.com. But I can’t find anything useful on that site.

Tags: land use

Note from the Editor: This is the second installment of what (apparently) will be a recurring column. Peyton knows there’s more than enough dirt going on in this City to fill three weekly columns. But I digress. Under no amount of torture, threat of litigation or tickling will I reveal the identity of Von Tiny Paige, because I have no idea who he/she is. Please enjoy.

FROM VON and the well meaning people at Tiny Paige

Welcome back frenzies. It is funny. Wrong word. It is interesting that in the issues section of the Mimes Union (strong yet voiceless and trapped in a box, heehee) site called Activote! (we shall, in our effort to keep ourselves from poluting you dear reader, not link to the tripe) that the top two issues are abortion and gay marriage. So maybe its alphabetical. Even still, I didn’t know abortion was on the ballot this year. But that brings us to snip one.

snip

WE DON’T CARE WHO IS GAY! If you are going to send a tip to let us know all of these power people who are gay you can either send photographic evidence (driving a mini does not count) or show where the gayness is contrary to some public policy they pushed or are pushing. (Clears throat). Because being hypocritical is much worse than being gay. Von cares not who you are focking, only who you are focking over.

snip

The states attorney race is HEATING UP! One of the candidates is a MAN BABY! We got a couple tips from this race that aren’t worth our time (see snip one). But one thing we are pretty confused about is this. Angela Corey is FIGHTING MAD and has all the cops ready to bust your ass for voting for the status quo. Or at least they say that Plotkin/Shorestein is the status quo. Uhhh. Wait. Those guys have been working in that office for 20 million years yes. But we have only been the capital of capital crimes since the people that endorse MZ Corey took over crime and punishment. So wouldn’t a vote for her be a vote for our sorry current state of affairs. Send tips. In the mean time we’re going with the candidate who isn’t mean all the time. Plus you represent the people and the victims not the cops, Honey. We agree with the Mimes. Making hand signals: Vote Jay Plotkin. Republican!

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Jay McGovern is out pacing Ander (votes with Bush every freaking time) Crenshaw in fundraising. Why? Because everyone knows that Ander can’t lose. Well Sir Hopes Alot may have something to say about that. Von thinks this one might be really close due to our endorsement. That and the fact that Ander ain’t done squat except vote the party line. Go to his site and check out his bio. Von knows growing up in Ortega is insurmountable but come on, have we not done anything? His video at his home page about sums it up. Why do we need another cemetary Ander?

We’ll go with the engineer and business man on this one. Vote Jay McGovern. Von’s not drinking yet though we’ve endorsed a republican, a military leader, and two guys name Jay already. Don’t try to find any info at ACTIVOTE!!! its pitiful and with this congressional seat. The info has been aborted, which is gay.

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Norton Vs. Buttner. This sounds like an Eddie Murphy routine. Too bad the hot one is not Buttner. We really liked the idea of Norton because we heard when she got mugged she changed into a Norton for judge t-shirt before the news crew got there but we found evidence thats hog wash. We would have been so impressed by this despite her having one, yes one, trial in her repertoire. Sooo Jacksonville. Yet she is endorsed by squads of former insiders, Mayors, and current sherriffs. One trial folks. Is Von Tinypaige the only endorsement you can trust? Sadly so. Please stand. Vote soon to be Honorable Judge Buttner. Hee hee. In case you are wondering ACTIVOTE! has an Oprah tracker. Please just turn that thing off. You embarrass all of us. Angelina Jolie endorses…

snip

Vote Bill White for Public Defender. The other guy can’t pay his bills and is running on a fiscally conservative platform. While that may seem perfect for Duval, Von’s not sure its the best for this particular office. Though we do doubt that you will see any former clients at the UClub. Awkward!

snip

We’ll save our thoughts on the Presidential election for November if we don’t go missing. You can probably guess which way we lean. Its time to rise up and vote Duval. However if its raining or you feel like skipping it, you can always do what they want you to and ACTIVOTE! instead.

DON’T FORGET. We run on semi reliable tips and ethanol. Less than 10% ethanol. vontinypaige@gmail.com

Tags: Activote, Angela Corey, Bill White, Harry Shorestein, Jay McGovern, Jay Plotkin

One of the reasons why I photograph street art, this is gone now.

Update: one DJ drops out. Rescheduling the Patio Party for next week!

Tomorrow Night at Marks! Special guest DJ with Biggie Tea and I. There will be (as the flyer says) funk, soul and hip hop on the sidewalk. As always there will be $1 PBR, $2 Drafts and $3 Jagers. You probably missed last week’s guest appearance by the Black Kids. You don’t want to miss this week’s guest.

This is a pretty hilarious look at tomorrow’s DJ explosion at Mark’s via The Urban Core. FORECASTER TEA, WITH FRESH RESIDENT JOE E DOOKIE DAD, GUESTS TRICLOPSI, CHAKA, AND THE IPODS OF CARACAS!

There will be an art show this Saturday, August 23rd at Three Layers in Springfield. It will feature more fabulous work from Sarah Kay (show above). There’s supposed to be one or two more artists and free wine and beer. 6pm-9pm. You should go, here’s a map. There’s also word that Three Layers will begin serving lunch soon.

SPAR says, Mama Mary’s at 4th and Market is also growing in popularity. I also have a first-hand recommendation from Tony Allegretti to try the breakfast-in-a-cup.

Main Street Construction is on Schedule from SPAR

It is a pleasure to see the progress on Main Street. They are on schedule, and we hope the weather and all other things are on our side for a quick completion. The inconvenience the project is causing business owners is something that we cannot control. As the old, worn out infrastructure is replaced, the top area must be dug up.

This is not long term, but it does cause a temporary inconvenience. SPAR would like to remind everyone to be sure and support our local businesses during this difficult time. Restaurants include A to Z Restaurant at 4th and Main, Chan’s at 5th and Main, Carl’s at 8th and Main, Jerome Brown’s Barbeque and 9th and Main Restaurant at 9th and Main, and Cotton’s at 11th and Main.

In a strange turn of events old media embraces new media in the name of good content. Jacksonville.com is running a series of posts from Metro Jacksonville called 30 Days of Plight.

Have you jumped on the bus lately? Stephen Dare, co-editor of MetroJacksonville.com, made the Jacksonville Transportation Authority his only method of transportation for 30 days.

I have been very impressed with Jacksonville.com ever since our meeting with them a few months ago. They have been using Twitter like crazy and actually listening to me. Which is probably the most important step of all if they want to do anything to fix this.

If you’ve made it this far you’ll be pleased, or maybe displeased, to hear a new Von Tiny Paige column is dropping tomorrow.

Ze Links
Felt Fun at Tuesday Craft Night at Anomaly (Anomaly Blog)
Graffiti artists arrested for no reason (The Outer Box)
Downtown Construction Update - August 2008 (Metro Jacksonville)
Eat Up Downtown (Jacksonville Confidential)
North Riverside Town Hall Meeting Wednesday (RADO)
Partisan the Sea adds additional artists to the show (Partisan the Sea)

Tags: marks, sarah kay, super tuesday, three layers a coffee house, topical depression fay

photo credit: farlane

Hello Times Union, I won’t be able to attend the Land Use Map meeting, so I’d like to respectfully request you send one of your journalists to report on the happenings.

The Planning and Development Department is updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Land Use Map. This map helps to guide growth and development in the City.

Land Use is a general vision for the way residents would like to see their city develop. Decisions about Land Use should consider such questions as:

• What type of community do you want to live in?
• What type of amenities, such as transit, or park space, do you want near your home?
• Is your neighborhood urban, mixed-use and pedestrian oriented or rural?
• How do you fight rampant development?
• How do you make sure your voice is heard when big decisions affecting your environment are made at the city level?
• Do you want to see better public transit and improved environmental protection?

Read more about why you should go:
Land Use Map meeting - Monday night - be there or be disenfranchised/confused (RADO)
Growth Management. Starts from within (Urban Core)

Tags: growth management, land use

Just show me the details of the event.

I am writing this from the perspective of a previous organizer of Summertime in the City. Basically we wanted to take the Summertime in the City event that was held at the Burrito Gallery for the past three years and blow it up in Springfield. We planned to orchestrate a nine block event with multiple music venues and other events. That was our first mistake.

Our second mistake, and perhaps biggest mistake, was planning the majority of events along the Westside of Main Street. Which would have been absolutely impossible in Main Street’s current condition. If you have driven down Main Street lately you know the sidewalk is practically non-existent and business access is severely limited.

I guess what I’m trying to say, is I’m thankful the original plan fell apart. Trying to execute a 9-block festival the way Main Street is now would have been a total disaster. The good thing that should be noted is many of the events we planned remain intact and will be featured this Saturday at 9th and Main. Enjoy!

Summertime In The City
August 16, 2008 - Free (Info: 353-6002)
12:00pm - 2:00am
Springfield: 9th & Main (Directions)

Presented by Urban Synthesis Radio & HipHopHell

• 12 noon – Doing It For The Babies Bar-B-Q, Kiddy Disco, Bouncey House w/ DJ Caz (The Royal Treatment) FREE keg for parents and guests
• 3 p.m. – 2 vs. 2 B-boys Battle for $200 in cash & prizes. Open cyphers hosted by Main Ingredientz Crew & DJ Basic
• 5 p.m. – Spoken Word Poetry Workshop hosted by Cuban
• 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. – Live hip-hop performances

My friend Jon highly recommends this show at the Burrito Gallery. He says:

If you know me, you know that I love a good live rock show. I miss playing in local bands, but watching local bands almost makes up for it. I like the bands that are still full of piss and vinegar. The ones that haven’t burned out or faded away. But nothing compares to an articulate and ferocious band playing in a downtown courtyard.

There aren’t many local bands lately that have been worth getting all excited about. Don’t get me wrong, Antartic is phenomenal. Buffalo Tears are wicked cool. Black Kids are fucking famous. There are plenty of bands I dig. But have you seen Kuwait?

He goes on to describe both bands and you can read the full post here. One thing me mentions that I never realized about the BG is it’s one of the only places, besides The Landing, where you can hear live music outside. Not to mention get good food and look at some amazing photography by Aldrin Capulong. Beautiful and timely, with the Olympics being in China this month.

Tags: Aldrin Capulong, Drop Sonic, Kuwait

NOTE: The flyer updated with correct date.

Oh yes! We’ll be bringing it to the streets next Tuesday night at Marks. We’re going to have a special guest DJ spinning out on the sidewalk. Biggie Tea and I will be DJing inside.

Come get warmed up for next week tonight at Marks. I know it’s raining now, but it won’t be like that all night. Sure the Olympics are on, but nothing good. We’re leading the medal count, so TiVO that.

Biggie Tea and I will be playing music that doesn’t suck and we can’t promise that Von Tiny Paige won’t be there.

The only thing I can promise you is $1 PBR, $2 Drafts $3 Jagers and that new Jay Z single. We’ll be Jockin’ Jay-Z where will you be?