Guest column: Laura Street corridor needs to happen
Your turn
On May 3, 1901, the Great Fire swept through downtown Jacksonville, levelling 2,386 buildings. The City immediately commenced the most ambitious re-building effort ever seen in the South since Atlanta rose from Sherman’s ashes.
Jacksonville has been contemplating its urban growth for the past 120 years, and yet, still hasn’t found its true focus. Consensus hasn’t been reached on any preferred priorities.
Since 9/11, and accelerating after the Great Recession of 2007-2009, Jacksonville has been romanced by countless proposals, initiatives and promising development programs – most of which either did not or have not yet, come to fruition. Usually these varied proposals were pitched as “game-changers”. They were always promoted to be inter-related (launch one and others will follow, we promise). Many were touted as must-have saviors.